Anyone got a ‘big’ compact loader? Are they any good?

[LeeGray]

On 03/05/2018 at 21:15, Woodworks said:

Just got a SH Gehl 340 pivot steer loader. It is rated for 840kg but I tested it with 1000kg on the front without any bother but the ground was level. Reach is 2.9m from memory. It has transformed our yard as we can now get into every nook and cranny. The manoeuvrability is amazing. It would be marginal on legality on a trailer but doable if have 3.5 tonne towing capability. Only had it a week so cant give any long term feedback but the first impressions are it's the best bit of kit our farm/logs has ever bought.

 

On 03/05/2018 at 21:15, Woodworks said:

Just got a SH Gehl 340 pivot steer loader. It is rated for 840kg but I tested it with 1000kg on the front without any bother but the ground was level. Reach is 2.9m from memory. It has transformed our yard as we can now get into every nook and cranny. The manoeuvrability is amazing. It would be marginal on legality on a trailer but doable if have 3.5 tonne towing capability. Only had it a week so cant give any long term feedback but the first impressions are it's the best bit of kit our farm/logs has ever bought.

Thanks for all the comments chaps, did a bit more ringing around and hopefully get some prices back on different machines. Interesting there’s so much out there, but the biggest marketing budget pushes the others out of the way on the internet it seems.

Edited May 5, 2018 by LeeGray

[Woodworks]

One thing I most liked about the Gehl other than the substantial build quality is the fact it's now part of the Manitou group so backup should be a doddle.

[LeeGray]

So I got sick of dealing with rep(tiles) and just bought a cheap Schaffer 3036. Just couldn’t bring myself to spend £30k without having experience of a compact. I’ll run this alongside the telehandler to see how they do then maybe look to replace them both next year.

 

Its off a guy (Jon Oakland trees not sure if he’s on here?) down in Wisley, so the next mission is getting it up to me. Opposite end of the country and don’t fancy running down with the Rover and trailer.  No local artic guys heading that way soon, so anyone know of hauliers that way? Or anyone coming up north soon and want to earn some cash on the way?

 

Cheers,

 

Lee

[LeeGray]

1 minute ago, LeeGray said:

So I got sick of dealing with rep(tiles) and just bought a cheap Schaffer 3036. Just couldn’t bring myself to spend £30k without having experience of a compact. I’ll run this alongside the telehandler to see how they do then maybe look to replace them both next year.

 

Its off a guy (Jon Oakland trees not sure if he’s on here?) down in Wisley, so the next mission is getting it up to me. Opposite end of the country and don’t fancy running down with the Rover and trailer.  No local artic guys heading that way soon, so anyone know of hauliers that way? Or anyone coming up north soon and want to earn some cash on the way?

 

Cheers,

 

Lee

Or anyone need something taking south upto 2.8t and plant trailer size?

Edited May 9, 2018 by LeeGray

[Matthew Storrs]

37 minutes ago, LeeGray said:

Or anyone need something taking south upto 2.8t and plant trailer size?

 

37 minutes ago, LeeGray said:

Or anyone need something taking south upto 2.8t and plant trailer size?

Funny I brought my PTO superwinch off Jon Oakland trees about 6 years ago. 

[LeeGray]

2 hours ago, Matthew Storrs said:

 

Funny I brought my PTO superwinch off Jon Oakland trees about 6 years ago. 

Thanks for commenting Matthew, nice to know Jon is a real person. I tend to trust folk but there are lots of stories about bacs transfer going horribly wrong for tractors and machinery these days, always been lucky myself but know people who’ve lost thousands.

[LeeGray]

The Schaffer arrived this afternoon, love the compact footprint, great visibility and manoeuvrability however it won't lift about 100 4' blocks which I assumed would be about a ton. Lifts 2 straw bales easily so I'm guessing it's happy between 600-800kg. Will have to fill an ibc to get a better test before it goes out anywhere.

[LeeGray]

quick look on google shows 4" blocks at 14kg so might have been over egging it!