forestry quad

[jonjon1263]

I am thinking of buying a second hand quad for general work in a small woodland and wondered which make and model lends itself to this kind of work. Budget would be up to £5000.

[Robert_S]

I would have thought a small tractor would be better, it gives you the option of a pto and hydraulics for winch, small forwarding trailer, implements etc.

[humpo48]

If you want a good quality quad go for a Yamaha or Honda

[jonjon1263]

i was thinking of a quad as most of the woodland is on a reasonable slope and thought a quad may be less likely to tip. I have heard about alpine tractors eg agt 850 , but dont know of a second hand dealer.

[CallumA]

I use a 800 polaris in the wood but it drinks petrol and is limited to the terrain it can work on, eg very small slope up hill or on the flat. it works well down hill but you've got to watch the weight as it is easily pushed with a trailer on the back. I had a 400 Yamaha quad a few years back and wish i had kept it as it pulled well with a H/L manual gearbox and was quite easy on the fuel.

[hiluxstihl]

as above the kodiak 400 is a nice size, the main problem i have is when loaded the quad hates going uphill and downhill, on the flat its great, ive a grizzly 660 now still same problem

its that bad im thinking of making a trailer with an adjustable axle. My average ground conditions are either peat that the quad digs or sticky clay that fouls the tyres ( kenda bearclaws are best imo)

Ive skidded logs with chains and used a bunk trailer

[CallumA]

Hiluxstihl I over came that problem to a degree with fitting bear claw tyres and I made a trailer with over run brakes on one axle and the trailer length can be adjusted to give a substantial hitch weight (over loaded according to the manufacturer) which helps with traction and the brakes help for going down hill. But the quad will always be limited IMO because it is designed to have low ground pressure and to get traction you need weight which the quad does not have!! So to answer Jonjon1263 question if you do go down the route of a quad get a 450 yamaha/honda with H/L box and good tyres and you will get by!!

[CallumA]

Jonjon1263 one other thing I forgot to mention the quads with a fixed rear axle and swing arm are best as you can put a lot of weight directly on to the axle, if you have independent suspension the hitch weight makes the bike handle like a pig. Hope it helps

[hiluxstihl]

understand you completely, the grizzly has independent suspension all round so its a pig, the solid axle was a better job for working, for play independent is miles better. i reckon a hydraulic sliding axle would sort the problem of weight to the quad with varied loads and access. Theres a company called Avestawagen make the best trailer on the market but i cant find there website!

[CallumA]

I got a leaf spring arrangement from Canada from a company called JMS Remorques I've had a look on there web site and cant see it any more can post a picture when I get home if you like.