Welcome to www.diggers-dumpers-plant.co.uk

Also known as www.oilyhands.co.uk

Fleming Micron diggerWebsite with towable digger, excavator and backhoe information. Features Fleming Micron, Powerfab, Mantis, Benford, Roughneck, Gopher, Smalley, Tow-hoe, Standard Muscleman, homemade and other small diggers. Links to current manufacturers such as Groupe-FCM, Hubei, Dig It and suppliers of plans for the Ground Hawg Homebuilt Backhoe and CDP Excavator. Includes various other plant, construction and mechanical projects, Plant Photo Gallery and useful links for Spares and Repairs. Extra information and pictures to add to the site always appreciated. The website now includes a new section dedicated to preserving information about Johnson Machinery Limited.

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Homemade diggers and backhoes. Digger plans and current manufacturers.

As I have stated elsewhere on this site, hand digging with a pick and a shovel is definitely work that is best avoided! Faced with this, a few brave souls have actually built diggers from scratch. So rather than breaking their backs wielding a pick and shovel they have broken them cutting and welding together a fairly complex machine instead! If you have a lot of digging to do then maybe it is worth building a digger. But if you charge your time out at even a modest rate is is arguably an uneconomic option. I suppose if you have plenty of time on your hands then building a digger could be fun.

To make life a bit easier there are a number of plans available (and some kits). These are all for diggers which are essentially similar to the manufactured towable diggers from the 1980's which are featured on this site. My opinion is that the 1980's machines were pretty well thought out and some of the plans are a bit lacking in comparison.

As well as welding the digger together which would require quite a lot of skill to do properly, there is also the hydraulics to contend with. Pumps, rams, valves, hoses and engines are readily available. But, these items don't generally come cheap and I can't help thinking that by the time you add up the cost of all the components it would be easier, quicker and cheaper to buy a second hand digger.

The Beast homemade digger

The Beast homemade digger. Gary says "it just goes to show the mad things people will do to get out of using a spade"! I like the comfy seat and the use of baler cord. 

Homemade backhoe from Canada

This unique backhoe was built by Hoss in Canada. He uses it for landscaping. Good to have a cab to keep the rain (or snow) off and protect you if the digger did tip over. 

If you have got the time and inclination to build a digger then the sky is the limit in terms of design. You could build a very simple machine like a Toe-Hoe or go for a 360 degree version like the Cabrita. If I did build a towable digger, I think I would be looking at a 10 horsepower diesel engine and pump to match. I would definitely want to have 180 degree slew and hydraulic legs. I would also want the machine to be compact and not have hydraulic pipes hanging off everywhere like a load of discarded spaghetti. I would also want it to be easy to get on and off. That is one criticism of my Fleming digger.

Homebuilt digger

Anyone know anything about this unusual machine?  Is it homemade? Any information welcomed by its new owner. 

Homebuilt excavator

It is fitted with a vertical shaft engine which is a Bernard Moteurs Type 627 No E452913. I think it is homemade.

What I like about Hoss's backhoe is the nice selection of different hydraulic rams and the hand adjustable legs. He has also used nuts and bolts on the arm instead of welding. The Beast is great although I'm not sure what stops it from moving about when working as it doesn't have any stabilising legs. Perhaps it has to be hitched to the 4x4 all the time? The blue digger is more of a mystery. It is quite well built with a decent arm and bucket and neat hydraulic piping. The hydraulic tank looks like it came from another machine.

Here's a video of a homemade digger that seems to work quite well

Links to suppliers of plans and other homebuilt digger resources

Current manufacturers of towable excavators

Please Note: European users should check that imported machines can legally be towed on the road as the rules in Europe are different to those in the United States and Canada.

1980's and 1990's towable digger information

Please contact the webmaster if you have any more pictures or links for homemade diggers or homebuilt backhoes.