Powerfab towable diggers, excavators, 125 WTD, micro digger

Powerfab towable diggers, excavators - pictures, owners manual and technical information

Powerfab was a British make of towable digger, designed and built in Wales. Sharing many features with the other makes such as Fleming Micron, Roughneck and Gopher this type of digger could be pulled through narrow doorways, towed behind a family car and was the forerunner of today's tracked mini-digger which the firm ultimately went on to build before going out of business. On the market from the late 1970's.

The basic towable machine was continuously developed and by the end the 125WTD which has hydraulic motors for moving about on site was a very capable machine.

The whole basis of the Powerfab type machine was to appeal to the small builder/contractor because in the late 1970's early 1980's there was still a lot of hand digging going on. The idea of a digger which could be towed behind any van or car was really a very good one.

Techncial Information and Original Brochure

(Copyright of original pictures, manuals and spec sheets belongs to Powerfab.)

On this page there are now pictures of many of the different models sent in by various owners from around the UK and even some from abroad. If you have a machine which isn't represented please send us a picture of it.

At what point during the 1980's did flat caps give way to hard hats?

This is the Powerfab my brother hired in 1985. This influenced my decision to buy the Fleming Micron many years later.

Very brave towing a Powerfab digger with a Fiesta! I hope it was an 1100cc not 950cc. Number plate dates it to 1978 or thereabouts.

A Powerfab 125 digger owned by Mart and Bob. They are Powerfab enthusiasts and regular contributors to the site. This machine is very similar to my Fleming Micron.

Front view of the Powerfab 125w. You can see that the legs are quite wide to give the machine the necessary stability when slewing.

The ultimate towable digger. The Powerfab 125WTD. Innovations include hydraulic front legs, powered front wheels and skid steer.

The Powerfab designers took all the shortcomings of the original machine and overcame them in this digger.

Powerfab 125wtd digging arm. Thanks again to Martin and Bob for the great pictures.

Powerfab 360W. This must be a very useful towable digger as it can load a dumper behind itself as it has 360 degree slewing.

Another one of Mart and Bob's diggers. A tracked Powerfab. It's unusual as it only has 180 degree slew.

Here's one of Powerfab's final machines the 1.25 ton 360 degree mini digger of the late 1980's. Has a 2 cylinder Mitsubishi diesel engine.

Powerfab 125wtd skidsteer owned by Richard. He got it home after towing it 110 miles from Sheffield. Thanks for the picture.

Front view of Richard's Powerfab 125wtd.

Powerfab 125w loaded onto its trailer ready for the road. Note the two widths of buckets and separate skeletal trailer. Thanks to Mart and Bob once again.

Powerfab also made some other unusual machines such as the 300 skidsteer loader which was also towable.

Berthold from Bavaria needs a parts diagram and manual for his Powerfab 300. Why has someone fixed a FIAT badge on it?

If you do have a manual or any more information on the Powerfab 300 please do contact me.

Powerfab made some lightweight diggers for the Army. The engine/hydraulic pump lift out so that you can run a jack hammer. Thanks for the picture Scott.

This is a good conversion. A powerfab digger fitted with a 4kw electric motor (380v). Belongs to Reino who lives 30km North of Helsinki.

Reino's Powerfab was converted from petrol power to electric for digging in a cellar. He bought the digger from Sweden and had a few problems when he first got it because there was water in the motor. That is sorted now and it's running well. Reino says, "the electric motor is both practical and impractical. It is nice and quiet but it needs a lot of electric cable. Great care has to be used to not damage the cable when moving the digger".

Powerfab 125 being put to good use by Leigh. Unfortunately the hydraulic pump has failed due to low oil. A reminder to all us digger users to keep the oils topped up.

More trouble this time the engine. Neill's Honda was a wreck so he fitted this Briggs and Stratton engine. It didn't take well to the job and the con rod broke. He's now got a new engine.

Another Powerfab 125wtd. This one is owned by Peter. Looks like the bucket has lost its teeth at some time.

Mart and Bob's latest idea. A neat electric start conversion for Powerfab diggers. Looks good to me. With a battery on board some work lights could be added too.

Gary's Powerfab Samuri 360 degree mini digger. He says "it is heavy duty and very well made". The digger is a 1.5 ton version.

Close up of controls and seat on Gary's Powerfab. This machine is in great condition.

Mart and Bob have just bought this 360 Powerfab which is missing its engine and pump. It needs a bit of work to get it running but Mart and Bob know their Powerfabs.

Mart says "going to try and fit a power pack from a jack hammer (Ducati Diesel) which I bought with it. I don't know if it will work". Well there's only one way to find out!

This is an interesting find. A 3 phase electric hydraulic pack for the 360w. Mart and Bob are going to convert it to engine power. It was used for digging in a tunnel with no ventilation.

The electric motor has a much bigger flexible coupling to the hydraulic pump. Presumably because motors deliver very high torque compared to engines?

This 360W was used for dredging canals so has an unusual clam shell bucket fitted. Very rare indeed. This machine is now owned by Ray.

Close up of the business end of the 360W. The engine and pump can be swung out.

This is clearly not a Powerfab 125wt despite the convincing paint job and new stickers! It's a Gopher owned by Kai from Germany.

Thanks to all the people who have sent pictures and information for this page. Please keep them coming!

More towable digger resources

Links to Powerfab information on other websites

Powerfab towable digger from GX design engineers
Powerfab 8hp "mini graveren"
Conrad's Castle - plant page with his 125WTD
Powerfab.biz Thanks to (Sparkypete for this link)
http://www.powerfab.co.uk/ - possible source of spares and Powerfab information

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Powerfab towable diggers, excavators - pictures, owners manual and technical information

Techncial Information and Original Brochure

More towable digger resources

Links to Powerfab information on other websites