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

Also known as www.oilyhands.co.uk and www.flamingskoda.com

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 and suppliers of plans for the Ground Hawg Homebuilt Backhoe and CDP Excavator. Includes other plant and mechanical information, Digger Bucket page, Plant Photo Gallery, Dumper Restoration Project and useful links for Digger 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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Towable excavator manufacturers from the 1980's & 90's

There is a constantly growing collection of pictures and information on this site about towable excavators.  When I was looking for a digger I was only aware of Powerfab and ended up with a Fleming Micron. Since then, through the website the Gopher, Manor Micron, Roughneck and many other machines have come to light. Thanks to assistance from Wayne I have been able to compile an extensive list (see below) of towable machines from the 1980's and 1990's. If you have any of the ones for which we have no information please get in touch. Any photo's or information greatly appreciated. If you have a machine which isn't mentioned then I would like to hear from you too. In time it would be nice to complete the full list.

Diggers which have dedicated pages on this site

Manufacturer & Model Names Country of origin Image Further details
Powerfab - 125, 125W, 125WTD UK Powerfab diggers Click here
Mantis also known as Benford ME130 UK Mantis or Benford ME130 mini digger Click here
Gopher International Ltd (later Manor Excavators) - Gopher and Gopher Boss UK Gopher digger Click here
Roughneck Excavators Ltd - (2000/2000T/2600T) UK Roughneck excavators Click here
Fleming International Machinery Ltd - Fleming Micron and later Manor Micron UK Fleming Micron digger, Manor Micron excavator Click here
Manor Excavators - Manor Micron and late Gopher models UK Manor Micron, Manor Excavators Click here
Richard Smalley - has been making walking diggers since the 1960's UK Smalley diggers Click here
Team Services - Toe Hoe or Tow Hoe. This machine was also sold as the Standard Muscleman UK Toe Hoe digger Click here
Mitchell Cotts Environmental UK Mitchell Cotts Environmental digger Click here

Diggers with insufficient information for a full page

Manufacturer Country of origin Image Futher details
Robinson Rouse, CR 840 USA? Robinson Rouse backhoe Info needed please
Jurop Unknown Jurop digger Info needed please
Benny Skorpio Italy Benny Skorpio digger, excavator Info needed please

Diggers which I currently have no information for. If you have any pictures or information for these machines please help to complete this list.

  • Baromix (Baromix Major) (UK)         
  • JPB Mini Excavators (JPB2) (UK)
  • Bronse (UK)  
  • TJ Products Termite (UK)
  • Mini Gigant (Switzerland)
  • Topi Motorshovel (Finland)
  • Dig It (USA) - company is still active click here for details
  • Euromach (Jolly) (Italy)
  • Bronco (really the Euromach Jolly in disguise!) (Italy)
  • Ryan (Czechoslovakia) - still building towable excavators as at 8/4/10 - thanks to Bruno for the link.
  • Nemag (K10) (Italy)
  • Trencherman
  • Plus many others.     

I really couldn't have made this page without the help of Wayne. Many thanks to him and everyone else who has contributed.

More towable digger information