BCS VALIANT 650 Alpine Tractor

[Charlieh]

I like the valiant, I have driven cab and cabless versions and for working in the woods I would go for the cabless every time as i needed to open both doors to get my feet in on the pedals also if you in and out winching the cab is a royal PITA.

 

I am not sure about the articulated steering version on sloping terrain, it never felt as sure footed as the rigid version and at times if you ended up slipping and getting a bit cross slope the articulated one could be quite hairy at times.

 

The winch we were using also had a special bracket from Kilworth on the lower link arms to mount the winch futher out so the pto angle wasnt to sharp.

[blades]

I like the valiant, I have driven cab and cabless versions and for working in the woods I would go for the cabless every time as i needed to open both doors to get my feet in on the pedals also if you in and out winching the cab is a royal PITA.

 

I am not sure about the articulated steering version on sloping terrain, it never felt as sure footed as the rigid version and at times if you ended up slipping and getting a bit cross slope the articulated one could be quite hairy at times.

 

The winch we were using also had a special bracket from Kilworth on the lower link arms to mount the winch futher out so the pto angle wasnt to sharp.

 

Thanks.... did you find turning with the rigid version OK or did it need a very wide area??

[Charlieh]

it needed a bigger turning area than the artic for sure but it was still ok in the woods I didnt have a go on the rigid in any younger thinnings so wouldnt want to say for sure but I didnt found it a problem in mature woodland. Reverse drive is a real blessing as it means you can actually reverse into where your working if your skidding and then spin the seat round to drive out again.

[blades]

it needed a bigger turning area than the artic for sure but it was still ok in the woods I didnt have a go on the rigid in any younger thinnings so wouldnt want to say for sure but I didnt found it a problem in mature woodland. Reverse drive is a real blessing as it means you can actually reverse into where your working if your skidding and then spin the seat round to drive out again.

 

Cheers mate.... grateful for the info

[Chris Sheppard]

On the whole, a front steer alpine will turn a whole lot tighter than a conventional small tractor of similar physical size, just the artics turn that bit tighter again. My Carraro was front steer and was fine in tight thinnings.

 

One thing to remember with an artic is that if you're skidding and the front goes light you will lose the steering as the artics don't (usually) have independant brakes.

[blades]

Well after much research I have decided to set the ball rolling and buy one.... Order placed with Kilworth Machinery.

A big thank you to Mark Parnham for all the advice and patience shown in answering all my questions during the process.

It will be delivered to my door with a full hand over within a month.

 

Kilworth Machinery = excellent customer service

 

I've attached a pic showing the 650 model that I have ordered.

[Charlieh]

you wont go wrong with the guys at Kilworth, always been really helpful to me

 

had Andy do a demo of the Tajfun firewood processor at an event on wednesday I ran, I am really really impressed with that as well the output was really quick. They bought a little 28hp alpine with 3.5t skidding winch as well and i was supprised how well it coped pulling birch thinnings up a slope.

[Goaty]

won't the bottom links on the flail drop down a notch, looks like there's an extra hole in the pic

 

Well spotted

 

I think they have since the picture was taken, but still poor clearance with various kit and very bad pto acute angles, all the implements tend to come from kilworth as well.

[Goaty]

Would agree kilworth have excellent back up and parts on stock.

[Chris Sheppard]

Well after much research I have decided to set the ball rolling and buy one.... Order placed with Kilworth Machinery.

A big thank you to Mark Parnham for all the advice and patience shown in answering all my questions during the process.

It will be delivered to my door with a full hand over within a month.

 

Kilworth Machinery = excellent customer service

 

I've attached a pic showing the 650 model that I have ordered.

 

Looks a dead handy setup