Rippa R929E

The R929E digs down to 4 m, and that changes the list of jobs: sewer mains, manholes, septic tanks and separators, deep service connections, foundations for industrial buildings and technical basements. At the front it has a 1.3 m³ loader bucket, which lifts 2,500 kg and dumps from a height of 2.8 m, at 1,062 mm from the machine — in other words, over the side of a tipper truck. The rear arm swings 190 degrees and works with a 0.3 m³ bucket.

The step up from smaller machines is hydraulic pilot control: the backhoe arm is operated precisely, with pilot-operated levers, which matters when you dig for eight hours next to existing pipes or are tracing a cable. The forces match — 46.5 kN at the digging bucket, 31 kN at the arm, 38 kN breakout force and 39 kN tractive force, at a hydraulic pressure of 22 MPa. The engine is a Yuchai YCD4J22T delivering 85 kW (114 hp), meeting the Euro 3 standard, and the cab has air conditioning, heating and a suspension seat.

This is a machine for companies that make their living from utility networks and earthworks, not from occasional jobs: water and sewer crews, road builders, contractors on long-term contracts. It travels on the road at up to 36 km/h, on 14-17.5 tyres at the front and 19.5L-24 at the rear, and for transport it measures 7.6 m long, 2.26 m wide and 2.89 m high. The steering angle is ±36 degrees, with a minimum turning radius of 6.58 m, so it needs room to manoeuvre.

The 1.3 m³ loader bucket, the 0.3 m³ digging bucket and the air-conditioned cab come as standard. On request, the manufacturer also fits other engines — Cummins F3.8 at Euro 3, Yuchai YCF36110-S500 at Euro 5 or Cummins QSF3.8 at EPA4 — if the job requires a particular emission standard.

Standard equipment

• Yuchai YCD4J22T engine, 85 kW (114 hp), Euro 3 emission standard
• Enclosed cab with air conditioning, heating and a suspension seat
• 1.3 m³ loader bucket and 0.3 m³ digging bucket
• Hydraulic pilot controls on the backhoe arm, with 190-degree swing
• Digging force of 46.5 kN at the bucket and 31 kN at the arm, hydraulic pressure 22 MPa
• 14-17.5 tyres at the front and 19.5L-24 at the rear, top speed 36 km/h