Hymac Excavators

[Gavin Phillips]

Yes, that would appear to be the same machine! I'm glad to hear that it drives well and it still looks a very smart piece of kit next to the JCB.

How does it operate compared to one of the older Hymac's, as in the rebadged FAI machines? Is there any real improvement with the Synchron models?

http://www.earthmoversmagazine.co.uk/?p=5156

Bruce Atfield has had it for sale for over a year now, price was about £7500. It looks a lot of machine but I wonder if buyers are reluctant due to age + scarcity?

I wouldn't be surprised if that wasn't the reason. There couldn't have been that many of the Synchron machines built in the first place (never heard an actual figure for the number produced before), so what about sourcing replacement parts etc? I'd be very weary of purchasing such a machine myself for that reason alone.

[essexpete]

Later machine on ebay for the Hymac fans.

[Jeremy Rowland]

Spotted this interesting machine on the bank holiday Monday; it is an ex-MOD 580BT and apart from the Ministry plate in the cab the give away that is was an ex-MOD machine are the added lifting points welded onto the boom and dipper plus the higher engine cover which houses an air cooled Dorman diesel.
Another unusual feature of this machine is the two position dipper arm; if you look carefully at the arm it is narrower than the type fitted on the 580C but this type of dipper was normally a single position type.
The machine looks to be in quite good condition too which is nice to see.

Jeremy

[essexpete]

Looks tidy Jeremy, was that the model before the 508C? How old would that be?

[Jeremy Rowland]

Looks tidy Jeremy, was that the model before the 508C? How old would that be?

Yes Pete it was the model before the 580C made between 1968 and 1970 so a very tidy machine for one that is essentially around a 45 year old machine!

Jeremy

[Jeremy Rowland]

You may be interested in this short video clip that I took at the weekend when I got to see Paul McGuigans restored Hymac 880. I did get to have a play in the machine myself; there will be more detail in the CP&M magazine but I will put a few 'taster' photos up on here when the chance permits plus post more video footage. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=797ESTCbAxQ&feature=youtu.be

Jeremy

[Jeremy Rowland]

Here's a photo of the said machine, very nice it is too!

Jeremy

[Jeremy Rowland]

Here's another short clip of the 880 being unloaded from the low-loader.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sGTQDLgWVM&feature=youtu.be

Jeremy

[chris73]

Jeremy, was this the one where the south wales machine went for spares?

[Jeremy Rowland]

Jeremy, was this the one where the south wales machine went for spares?

Yes Chris I believe that was the case; it was the long dipper arm that was mainly required and that was modified by the removal of the strengthening flitches on the end of the dipper where it joins the boom.

Jeremy