Alpine tractor talk

[J&M]

On ‎14‎/‎02‎/‎2018 at 08:44, MattyF said:

How do you find the trailer with those tyres and What’s powering the hydraulics ?
Are you winching to the road side or will it cope with driving down racks ?
Sorry for the questions !!

No worries.

 

The trailer works well with those tyres, its much easier to get the larger diameter tyres over obstacles than little quad tyres and the contact patch is about the same size.

 

This job required a fair bit of winch work as that particular site was a struggle for this little machine. I was just doing some clearing up before planting, the site had been clear felled using heavy machinery about 18months beforehand. The massive wheel tracks represented a rollover risk if approached carelessly but the main issue was the brash mat. A 16ton forwarder's 'brash mat' is an obstacle on these little wheels, as you are perpetually trying to climb 2-4" wet logs and if you happen to hit a couple at wheelbase spacing with the trailer loaded you've had it.  On the other hand, the benefit of small equipment is that even the most serious failure to proceed can be resolved with the winch on the land rover or even by hand, rather than being a significant issue.

 

This trailer has its own powerpack (small petrol engine). I went this way because I can use it behind any machine. If I'm doing a couple of windblown trees in an open field or something like that I can just put it directly behind the land rover and I think it could probably be handled by a larger quad (or even a smallish one on easy ground). If you where wondering, I'm confident the tractor hydraulics would drive a crane at good speed if required.

[Bogoak]

9 hours ago, J&M said:

The articulated version does turn a little tighter and the nature of the rear wheels following the front makes manoeuvring through tight standing timber impressively easy.

 

I don't know of any reversible articulated tractors? AGT certainly don't offer one in this size range.  I suspect that if you are doing grass-cutting were finish matters an articulated tractor could become quite vexing, the rear swing on turning can easily result in little missed bits which need to be gone back over. (The mower swings to the 'wrong' side in the first part of the turn)

Surely if your cutting in reverse drive, with the mower in front of you, then that’s the perfect setup?

[johnnyboy158]

I have this little 85HP monster for sale if anyone is looking for a powerful reversible alpine?

How much are you looking for

[J&M]

13 hours ago, Bogoak said:

Surely if your cutting in reverse drive, with the mower in front of you, then that’s the perfect setup?

Quite possibly so, if I catch your meaning correctly. But my thinking was that, as I have never seen a reversible articulated tractor in the smaller size ranges then going articulated means cutting with the mower behind you. The effect of this (which can obviously be allowed for - so its not that big of a deal) is that when turning the mower initialy swings to the inside of the turn, causing it to describe an s-shape rather than a smooth arc as with conventional front steering. 

 

Still, probably a lot of words for something that just won't matter that much in reality

[Bogoak]

10 hours ago, J&M said:

Quite possibly so, if I catch your meaning correctly. But my thinking was that, as I have never seen a reversible articulated tractor in the smaller size ranges then going articulated means cutting with the mower behind you. The effect of this (which can obviously be allowed for - so its not that big of a deal) is that when turning the mower initialy swings to the inside of the turn, causing it to describe an s-shape rather than a smooth arc as with conventional front steering. 

 

Still, probably a lot of words for something that just won't matter that much in reality

Yes, I don’t think I’d fancy a grass cutter on the back.

 

The BCS Valiant 600 AR (49hp) is available with reverse steer. 

Edited February 17, 2018 by Bogoak

[HertsWood]

Give Kirkland UK a call on 01622 843013 - they are the UK importers of Antonio Carraro Tractors. Check out their stock machinery for a range of Antonio Carraro Reverse Drive Tractors. For all time big traction, check out the MACH 4 on tracks! www.kirklanduk.com/

Have you seen how much a Mach 4 is? Thick end of £70K!

[rowan lee]

On 07/02/2018 at 23:21, J&M said:

Finally got mine and put it to use

Thats class. Well done.

Was wondering if you had a link for the timber trailer? I really fancy a small trailer grab setup like that someday for the back of a small 2wd ford tractor.

[JimE]

On 2/17/2018 at 21:33, HertsWood said:

 

Have you seen how much a Mach 4 is? Thick end of £70K!

Trust me, drive one and you will want one.

The big TRH is also particularly awesome!

[J&M]

On ‎18‎/‎02‎/‎2018 at 20:27, rowan lee said:

Thats class. Well done.

Was wondering if you had a link for the timber trailer? I really fancy a small trailer grab setup like that someday for the back of a small 2wd ford tractor.

https://www.kellfri.co.uk/forestry-trailer-2-7-tonnes-with-crane-and-pump

 

[HertsWood]

Hi Jim,
I know how great tracked machines are - I have an Irus Deltrak.....
But the the Mach4 is a lot of money, especially when you can pick up a used Reform Mounty 80 fully equipped front & rear for about £30K on the aggrifaires website.