Rb44

[chrisgilltreesurgery]

I made the big mistake of going back to a 3500kg tipper, and to be honest and I know probably most tree firms run them, they just can't cope with my work load.

[MattyF]

I would say a 7.5 tonner cris would get the most out of your chipper.

[skyhuck]

One of my competitors runs 2, he swears by them. He ran a mog before, but could not stomach the maintenance costs. He does send out teams, rather than driving himself.

 

I love my mog and it make my very small business very, very versatile. But no one drives it but me.

 

Each to their own.

[swinny]

An rb44 or An iveco 5.5 or 6t is wher i would like to go next but need to investigate more. Deffiently need more capacity! Busy busy!

[chrisgilltreesurgery]

I'd love a Mog, and I mean PROPER MAN LOVE one. I look at them and I get butterflies in my stomach when I drive them or even see them and would sell everything to have one but...... And it's a big but, maintenance costs really worry me. I have toyed with the idea of changing my Vermeer and van for a Mog with pto chipper.......

Do I, don't i, do I, don't i......

Help

[Daveyboy]

Speaking as someone who is ex-army...

 

The story is that they were designed for the artillery boys. The tale is a little like the SA80 cockup. Designed for a purpose but the purpose wasn't really there and the design was flawed. Why they didn't by Heckler's instead of SA80's is beyond anybody's reasoning.

 

RB's had a real handling problem, braking problems, going problems. A bit like the Isuzu Rodeo in a way - designed by an accountant. So they were built en-masse, delivered to the army and after a few lads were jailed for causing accidents, someone asked if it was in fact, the vehicles fault. The RB's were withdrawn and other things used. Things like Pinzgauers. Things like Alvis Stalwarts and Bedford 4 tonners.

 

It's one of those things that you might really love. But, having driven one, I can put hand on heart and say 'never again'. But then again, I like Stihl chainsaws. I know a bloke on the Isle of Wight who had the only Lada 'cut and shut'.

 

Try one! Buy it, run it for a while and if you like it, keep it. As the chinese say "he who doesn't taste, doesn't know".

[Stephen Blair]

Out all my Mog bills, none have been £6k!

New clutch for u2150. Inc labour £2k

New engine for u900, £4k fitted

Full set of speed rated tyres for 2150, £3k fitted, lasted me 6years.

Just got new belts put on the chipper today. £22

Got new bulbs put in my Range Rover aswell. £8

People exaggerate the guy in the pub said stories!

Chris there's a reason the RB is £6k,

It's an old flatbed !

If you drive it yourself have a good mechanic and a few k in the bank then it's easy!

A c price is just over the rd from you !

An 8" pto chipper with over a 120 hp behind it will run rings round your Vermeer.

[agrimog]

the RB44 was a bitsa, designed to replace the LR101, another piece of poop, they based it loosely on the 5 1/2 ton dodge with a few 7 1/2 ton bits thrown in, the front axle and transfer box were pure RB, it was a 70's design that they dragged screaming and shouting ino the 90's, poor weight distrubution, leaf spung, and drum brakes, most of the problems on braking and handling come from the fact if you brake and turn on a live axle suspended from leaf springs, one corner will dive and tuck under, this problem was never sorted on the RB's, the brake problems came from lack of use and seals drying out, this was addressed. the military never liked them, and thats why the pinzgauers were introduced as a stop gap, spares for them are still available, as long as you dont want front axles or transfer case parts, the dodge vans and trucks on which they are based are still knocking about in camper vans and mini buses, the engine is a good hard working unit, as is the box and rear axle, electrics can be a bit iffy, and corrosion is like any other vehicle of the same era. A lot of the ones comming on the scene at the moment are reserve stock vehicles that have been in storage for years, will have very little milage on them, and after a GOOD service should give years of use, but be prepared for most of the seals and rubber bits to be perished due to age

[Mountain man]

Having followed the thread and read the experience of those army guys, I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole.

[TIMON]

I'd love a Mog, and I mean PROPER MAN LOVE one. I look at them and I get butterflies in my stomach when I drive them or even see them and would sell everything to have one but...... And it's a big but, maintenance costs really worry me. I have toyed with the idea of changing my Vermeer and van for a Mog with pto chipper.......

Do I, don't i, do I, don't i......

Help

 

 

I often think of our MOG and how it would affect us if something major on it were to pack up. Even though our full time mechanic could cope with any job or rebuild on it, the cost of parts and downtime are a significant factor in how profitable our business is. Thankfully, so far our Mog has been the most reliable vehicle on our fleet! Pound for pound the most productive on the fleet and has really helped us develop our tree business.

 

The flip side of that had we bought one that was beset with breakdowns and problems would be the difference between a healthy, thriving business and one that struggled.

Having said that the expensive part of vehicle problems is the downtime not the maintenance.

We would suffer the same wether we had bought any dodgy truck be it a 3&half transit, an RB44 or a Mog.