Riko fast tow trailer & crane

[treedave]

I'm looking at getting one of the above, have had some info from Chris Shep but I could do with some 2nd opinions / first hand experience. Any info / opinions welcome.

Anyone in t'north got one that I could look at in the tin?

Ta

Dave

 

http://www.alpinetractors.com/forestry.htm

Edited February 16, 2009 by treedave

[Lee Winger]

nice but too expensive for my liking, and why 3200kg not 3500kg?

[johnty]

Nice bit of kit, looks v expensive:scared1:

[Chris Sheppard]

and why 3200kg not 3500kg?

 

A fair point - let me explain;

 

To keep the nose weight of the trailer to a legal level whether loaded or unloaded, the body of the trailer slides forward or backwards independantly of the axles and drawbar using a hydraulic cylinder. To be able to do this the drawbar is constructed from a large piece of box section rather than an A frame and the largest capacity hitch available in this fitting is 3200kg. All the extra steel involved to build the trailer to have an A frame drawbar and still allow it to slide far enough would eat a long way into the 300kg extra gross weight and also add further to the nose weight.

 

The original fast tows were built as a way of transporting a compact tractor to the woods and then being able to forward timber too without needing two trailers or making two trips to the wood and back eack time (one for the tractor and one for the trailer) and depending on the exact spec of the trailer and what crane is chosen, the carrying capacity on the road is typically around 2000kg - enough to carry most compact tractors.

[Lee Winger]

A fair point - let me explain;

 

To keep the nose weight of the trailer to a legal level whether loaded or unloaded, the body of the trailer slides forward or backwards independantly of the axles and drawbar using a hydraulic cylinder. To be able to do this the drawbar is constructed from a large piece of box section rather than an A frame and the largest capacity hitch available in this fitting is 3200kg. All the extra steel involved to build the trailer to have an A frame drawbar and still allow it to slide far enough would eat a long way into the 300kg extra gross weight and also add further to the nose weight.

 

The original fast tows were built as a way of transporting a compact tractor to the woods and then being able to forward timber too without needing two trailers or making two trips to the wood and back eack time (one for the tractor and one for the trailer) and depending on the exact spec of the trailer and what crane is chosen, the carrying capacity on the road is typically around 2000kg - enough to carry most compact tractors.

 

Iv'e seen them in the flesh mate, they are well built, Steve a Riko built me a grapple........

[firewoodman]

tried it, tested it, used it, abused it.

does what it says on the tin.

if putting a tractor on the trailer, then make sure the ramps are secured properly, they have a habit of vibrating off when tractor is on top side of trailer,

riko did modify that to stop it happening.

 

all in all very good for what it is designed for

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

how much commision did you say for a good review?????

[b101uk]

Only a fool would design or use a trailer with over-run brakes for forestry or off-road activity ware load is carried on anything but flat ground, if you fail getting up a slope forwards then only the brakes on the towing unit will work as gravity & the auto reverse brakes will take over on the trailer pulling you down the slope.

[Treefitter]

I've got one similar. You ought to see how much timber I have moved with it. There is one on my front page. Robinsons Trees - Tree Surgery - Oxfordshire

[nailer]

Treefitter, could you post more pictures? I looked on that website but couldn`t see the same one you have. Does anyone on here sell them? That Riko website made me dizzy!

[treedave]

Nailer, the attached flyer is a rough idea of what they can do. If you're interested I can take some snaps of mine and post it up.

Z. latest fast tow leaflet low res.pdf