Excavators for tree work.

[Tom D]

I am pricing up an excavator for a forestry job, windblown conifers to clear, I am planning on hireing a machine.

 

my questions for those who have experience of using such tools are.

 

Do I go for a 7 or a 13 tonner or somewhere in between?

 

As there will be some ditching work and road making to do, do I get a machine piped for a grab and rotator and buy one of my own second hand, (I will be unlikely to get one on hire) or do I just get a machine with a thumb?

 

Cheers

[madmatt]

size of machine is down to your access and space avliable on site? no point having a 13 tonner if you ain't got room to swing a cat! if you can work it comfortably in the space you have go for a 13 tonner. if the budget is there go for a grab and rotator it'll make life much much easier,

[tommer9]

a thirteen tonner is a different world to a seven tonner, but then again, a takeuchi 7 tonner is a very very capable machine.

If you want to move stuff any distance, obviously the 13 tonner wil be quicker, having a longer reach.

As far as road making and ditching are concerned, the digger is perfectly adapted to this already with the grading bucket.

It sounds to me as if you have little experience of these machines (?)(hence the thread) so i would advise geting one with a driver. Both these machines are expensive bits of kit to have on hire to learn on.

I would also seriously think about hiring a wheeled digger. I have started hiring them in preference to handlers for loading logs onto the mill, as the 4-in-1 bucket is very useful for grabbing and moving logs, removing the need for a second person. These machines also have amazing power in the back actor, and with the 'extendahoe' the set up is near perfect for grading roads etc, plus the grading buckets can be supplied with holes in them, and are then known as ditching buckets. IME they are cheaper to hire than a 7 or 13 tone swinger, and would be far more suited to your job. With the combo of carrying capacity, and the blade on the front bucket and float on the front loader, you also have further grading potential. You would be able to quickly clear up spoil from the ditches too etc etc.

In fact the more i think about it, I would strongly recommend a wheeled digger, even more so with an owner-operator. Compared to someone who doesnt spend all day in these machines, these guys can achieve phenomenal amounts in a day, and round here average about £25 to £35/ hour all-in.

Edited October 13, 2010 by tommer9

[Brushcutter]

8 tonne with zero tail swing would do but would only take small head. If you've got the space get the 13 tonne one. I'd be inclided to go for the 10-13 tonne range rather that smaller ones. piped for grab and rotor will make life so much easier.

[Brushcutter]

a thirteen tonner is a different world to a seven tonner, but then again, a takeuchi 7 tonner is a very very capable machine.

If you want to move stuff any distance, obviously the 13 tonner wil be quicker, having a longer reach.

As far as road making and ditching are concerned, the digger is perfectly adapted to this already with the grading bucket.

It sounds to me as if you have little experience of these machines (?)(hence the thread) so i would advise geting one with a driver. Both these machines are expensive bits of kit to have on hire to learn on.

I would also seriously think about hiring a wheeled digger. I have started hiring them in preference to handlers for loading logs onto the mill, as the 4-in-1 bucket is very useful for grabbing and moving logs, removing the need for a second person. These machines also have amazing power in the back actor, and with the 'extendahoe' the set up is near perfect for grading roads etc, plus the grading buckets can be supplied with holes in them, and are then known as ditching buckets. IME they are cheaper to hire than a 7 or 13 tone swinger, and would be far more suited to your job. With the combo of carrying capacity, and the blade on the front bucket and float on the front loader, you also have further grading potential. You would be able to quickly clear up spoil from the ditches too etc etc.

In fact the more i think about it, I would strongly recommend a wheeled digger, even more so with an owner-operator. Compared to someone who doesnt spend all day in these machines, these guys can achieve phenomenal amounts in a day, and round here average about £25 to £35/ hour all-in.

 

4 in one bucket is brilliant for moving bit of timber and the blade of the open bucket is fantasic for grading. I use it for clearing all the mud off the yard and keeping the stack yard flat. I've only ever used a 2.8t 360 for ditching but i can see how a back hoe would do the job just as well.

 

I thought the digger would have some kind of harvester head on it. If you just need to move bits of timber around what about a valmet with a roof mount for the timber and a jCBfor the grading work.

[Charlieh]

drop member LGPeddie on here a pm, he runs a specialist kubota with a tilt rotator head on it, very versatile, and knowledgable on plant equipment, if you dont get a response im seeing him on friday so will tell him to check on here and post his thoughts

[Tom D]

Thanks for the replies, I have some experience wit these machines Tom, just not for tree work, the site is big so no problems with access. I am more interested in wether the thumb and bucket is a worthwhile option, I was thinking that trying to make nice stacks with it could be a pita.

[tommer9]

Ah i see where you are coming from, and sorry- I hope i didnt come over the wrong way:blushing:, and yeah- a grab would be better for making big neat stacks:thumbup:

Go for a 13 tonner I would then, just that bit more weight and stability etc for moving unwieldy bits of wood about:thumbup1:

[b101uk]

don’t even bother with a wheeled backhoe if its wet and sticky or just damp with slopes, they sink easily and slide around a lot just in the damp, yes the 4 in1 is good for moving timber but its not as good at moving quantity of timber distance for very long before other things become faster/more efficient.

[liamjordan]

tom if the sites big, would this mean timber needs to be moved much? is this timber being extracted or are you literally just clearing it up? would a tractor and forwarding trailer combination?