Best vehicle for moving logs?

[richy_B]

Hello all,

wondering if the arbtalk collective might have a few suggestions on my query. Whats the best (of a good way) of shifting logs about? In detail:

 

-collecting logs from arb work, potentially thinnings from woodlands (not going offroad though), butts. Looking to carry between 5-10 tons a go.

 

-60-70 mile round trip covering all roads so decent cruise speed and if possible reasonable mpg. 3 or so journeys like this per week, 50 weeks of the year.

 

-One man operation.

 

-budget is up to £15k.

 

-I've got a C1, but could get my c+e sorted if required.

 

I don't know enough about cranes/hiabs/things of that nature but I did wonder how easy it was to change something from just a hook grab you can attach a strop to a grab and rotor? I wonder if something like this, with a bit of modification, could work?

2005 VOLVO FL220 ALI BODY HIAB CRANE XS 122 CL BRICK GRAB in Rotherham | Truck Trader

 

Any thoughts?

[Peter]

Dont bother with a 7.5 tonner, payload will be tiny. 18 tonner is ideal, you should get 9-10 tonne payload. Rear mount crane is better, get one with a brick grab and you can straight swap the rotator and grab for a timber rotator and grab.

 

Shorter wheelbase is better for getting in tight spots, have a look at my lorry thread.

 

Also if you use it inside the LEZ you will need a Euro 4 or better lorry.

[richy_B]

Hadn't considered the LEZ, good call. I'll check out your thread, cheers.

[Brick100]

How about this or similar, should be well maintained.

 

Bedford, 6x6 TM Crane Lorry, #16970 - MOD Sales, Military Vehicles & Used Ex MOD Land Rovers for Sale

[richy_B]

How about this or similar, should be well maintained.

 

Bedford, 6x6 TM Crane Lorry, #16970 - MOD Sales, Military Vehicles & Used Ex MOD Land Rovers for Sale

 

Would it be possible to mount a grab and rotor on the crane? I wonder if a vehicle of this age would suffer terribly in terms of MPG.

[Peter]

You need a crane already piped for grab and rotator, very expensive to retrofit.

 

AWD is not really worth it IMO in terms of value for money, get the timber forwarded to roadside and pick it up there.

[richy_B]

Peter, had a look at your thread. Your Iveco is exactly the kind of thing I'm after. Going to check the classifieds. Thanks for the pointers.

[Peter]

I think LEZ will be the biggest issue for you, Euro II like mine it is possible to fit an particulate trap to bring it up to Euro IV, but costs around £7k. Euro III is a bit cheaper to bring up to IV, but will still cost approx £2k.

 

Euro IV trucks are going for silly money, about £15k upwards for what you want. Euro IV came in in Sept 2008, so anything after that date is ok, and a few before it will also be ok, check and double check before you buy!

[rovers90]

How about this or similar, should be well maintained.

 

Bedford, 6x6 TM Crane Lorry, #16970 - MOD Sales, Military Vehicles & Used Ex MOD Land Rovers for Sale

 

My mate and I looked at these last year. Very expensive - on top of the "from £22500" price tag you have to make it road legal - we were quoted another £10k for this. Plus,your buying a truck that could be nearly 30 years old and apparently parts are fairly difficult to come by.