Advice Buying/Building/Running a Timber Lorry

[woodsmanmatt]

Just seen this:

 

Sisu Eemeli - Timber trucks, Price: £6,263, Year of manufacture: 1996 - Mascus UK

 

As it happens I have friends who live nearby to where the truck is, so could get them to go and visit and get some more info. I'd obviously need to re-register it etc but seems a very good price, any thoughts?

[woodsmanmatt]

Just seen this:

 

Sisu Eemeli - Timber trucks, Price: £6,263, Year of manufacture: 1996 - Mascus UK

 

As it happens I have friends who live nearby to where the truck is, so could get them to go and visit and get some more info. I'd obviously need to re-register it etc but seems a very good price, any thoughts?

 

Just sent this link to my Finnish Friend, who said that HUOM:!! moottori rikki..!!!, means Note: Engine Broken!

 

Maybe not then!

[Craig.]

Just going back to the `black mark` points a few post back, the DVSA use a points and colour coding system, to use as a guide when choosing which vehicles to stop. They call it OCRS operator compliance risk score.

Vehicle operators are given a score based on mot test results, and roadside checks. A score of 0 is coloured green, going to red for scores over 26/31.

In an ideal work if you have a green score you show be less likely to be stopped than having a red score.

https://www.gov.uk/use-the-operator-compliance-risk-score-ocrs-system

[woodsmanmatt]

Just going back to the `black mark` points a few post back, the DVSA use a points and colour coding system, to use as a guide when choosing which vehicles to stop. They call it OCRS operator compliance risk score.

Vehicle operators are given a score based on mot test results, and roadside checks. A score of 0 is coloured green, going to red for scores over 26/31.

In an ideal work if you have a green score you show be less likely to be stopped than having a red score.

https://www.gov.uk/use-the-operator-compliance-risk-score-ocrs-system

 

Interesting and important stuff to know!

[woodsmanmatt]

This is more like it, just add a grab and bolsters and it's ready to go!

 

IVECO 260E28 26ton GVW, SKIP LORRY, 6X4 WITH HIAB 085-3 EXT CRANE, EXT SKIP ARMS | eBay

[Craig.]

 

As far as I can tell I need to take into account:

 

Initial Purchase/Depreciation

Training/CPC costs

Insurance

Vehicle Tax

Fuel

Operators Licence

Maintenance and Repairs

MOT

 

Anything I've missed?

 

A suitable operating centre?

A crane operators card, or certificate,

A loler test on crane, older cranes every 6 months now, so I've been told.

A professional CPC, not the drives one if operating for hire and reward.

[Chris Sheppard]

This is more like it, just add a grab and bolsters and it's ready to go!

 

IVECO 260E28 26ton GVW, SKIP LORRY, 6X4 WITH HIAB 085-3 EXT CRANE, EXT SKIP ARMS | eBay

 

If it was me, I'd not bother with that one.

 

For one it's very short, two, it would need all that skip gear removing (an extra cost) and three, a crane isn't a loader.

 

An hiab type crane is generally for lifting individual heavy loads, whereas a timber loader is designed for doing several operations at once and repetitve loads quickly. That's not to say you can't use a crane as a loader, but it will be slower, and when you're on by the tonne, you'll want to be in and out with each load as quick as you can.

 

Something like an old brick lorry would be a step closer as the cranes on those are much more like a timber crane and might already have a high seat and longer kingpost.

Edited April 25, 2015 by Chris Sheppard

[big chris the log]

I'm new to the forum but hoping you can help! I've been working for a couple of firms locally doing woodland thinning and coppicing this winter, but arranging transport for the timber from roadside to customers has proven to be a nightmare for the guys I am working for. Local haulage firms have either been too busy or not interested in helping, or they have only had Artic's which have been too big to get access to our sites.

 

I'm thinking about setting myself with a smallish lorry to haul timber, not long distances or as a full time job, but just to bridge the gap locally between woodland owners/contractor and firewood merchants. I think I could probably get some grant funding locally for small businesses, and also possibly through the FC, which would help with start-up costs.

 

I've done a bit of internet research on second hand trucks. I think I'd be looking at a 6x4 rigid or possibly 4x4 with timber crane and bolsters but no bigger than that. Hopefully I could get something with a minimum of a 10t capacity, ideally 15t. There seem to be quite a few available in Europe but very few in the UK, especially at the lower end of the price range which realistically is where I'd be looking.

 

That would leave me to either import a LHD truck, or get a coach builder to convert a used chassis cab from the UK. Anyone had an experience for these options? There's a few ex-MOD trucks that look as though they might work if converted, they already have Atlas cranes, winches etc so presumably have all the necessary hydraulics, possibly even convert the existing crane if possible.

 

I'd obviously need to get my HGV © licence and CPC, but what else would I need. Operators Licence? Would I need a Tacho if it's Forestry? HIAB training Etc.

 

It may all be a non-starter, but I need to work what I need, what would work and how much everything would cost, and then I can look at a business plan.

 

Thanks for any advice you may be able to give!

 

Hi what a list of questions,any way here goes.

What ever lorry you look at over 3.5 tonne as soon as you put wood on it and go onto the road you will need white diesel,hgv road tax operators licence

a maintenance schedule with a commercial garage a hgv licence and drivers cpc.If you want to go onto FC land add weigher ,spill kit ,first aid certificate and kit .

The trucks abroad look like a good deal but be careful get the ID number and check with the manufacturer in the UK to make sure it will be compliant with UK regulations.A friend of mine imported a tractor unit and took 3 months to get all the paper work sorted before he could get a UK mot,this cost money as well so you would be better off looking here.

The vehicle:A second hand 6 or 8 wheeler timber truck will be hard to find if it is any good,most will be worn out and sold for export.

What I did was look for a decent brick lorry as they are short wheelbase take off the brick crane and put on a proper timber crane put bolsters and pins on and away you go.

I have ended up with a volvo fm12 globetrotter 6x2 rear lift and steer with a

loglift 60 crane and 2 bays This will carry 14 tonnes legaly at 26 tonne gross

Add the trailer and put another 14 tonnes on.The lorry will get in and out of almost any where and does not need that much more roon with the trailer.

I have had the crane for 12 years now and this is the 3rd truck I have put it on.I only use it to carry my own timber so it is not getting bashed about every day,I used to haul timber untill the late 90s but got fed up with the cost of diesel and not getting paid.

Hope this answers some of your questions,

Cheers Chris.

[big chris the log]

Just seen this:

 

Sisu Eemeli - Timber trucks, Price: £6,263, Year of manufacture: 1996 - Mascus UK

 

As it happens I have friends who live nearby to where the truck is, so could get them to go and visit and get some more info. I'd obviously need to re-register it etc but seems a very good price, any thoughts?

 

Hi I looked at this about 18 months ago but the crane has been taken off and the engine is broken I don t think you would get a UK MOT on it as Sisu are not in the UK and you need a letter of conformaty from the UK manufacturer better look to volvo scania daf etc as they have UK headquarters.

Cheers Chris

[big chris the log]

I spent a fair bit of time looking into running a 6 tonner for doing log deliveries.

Never did I read that you cant do the inspections yourself.

As I stated, you will need a fair amount of mechanical knowledge.

 

Sounds to me like your mate is getting taken for a ride.

 

Tests don't cost anything near to £700+, as stated!!!

 

MOT test fees | nidirect

 

Just had my 6 wheeler tested Test fee and lane fee and VAT £186.00

Cheers Chris