Vimek or Alstor - your thoughts please.

[treedave]

As the title suggests I'm looking at getting one or other. Anybody got any experience working with/owning either of the above. The vids available on you tube are impressive, but most ads are. I'm after the day to day niggles / improvements etc.

 

For those that are in the dark about these machines see below,

 

VIMEK :: 620

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8mNDaey5uo&feature=related]YouTube - Alstor 8x8 utility vehicle[/ame]

[iainarkle]

Hi Dave, just started learning to use an Alstor and have seen it whizzing about the place extracting hardwood thinning. I can't say I'm any expert on them but having seen if shift 30 - 40 tons in a day and the head forester is impressed I am too!!

From the info on the Vimek you linked too, looks like its far 'lighter weight' than the alstor.

My vote - Alstor, I'm looking forward to getting stuck in with it on more hardwood and spruce in the next few months.

Cheers

Iain

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[RichardT]

I had an Alstor demo'd here by Scottish Native Woods and I've watched the importer putting one through its paces on some truly improbable terrain. Very impressive machine, as it should be at the price. SNW have run a Vimek 101 too and apparently sold it in favour of a 2nd Alstor. I'd still prefer the flexibility of a separate tractor unit for tasks other than forwarding, if I had the cash I'd look at the Mactrac with driven trailer, no UK importer yet unfortunately. Artcom Tradebridge are now importing the 'Wheelhorse' which looks handy but I suspect couldn't match the Alstor on bad ground.

[Stephen Blair]

I watched an Alston work 1 day, where it was it shouldn't of been, what it was lifting it shouldn't of been and while they were there they crane fed the tracked chipper. VERY impressive machines. There is a guy on here from Stirlingshire with 2, sorry i cant remember who.