Small timber trailer and crane advice / opinions

[Grae]

Hi everyone.

 

I have recently bought a secondhand AGT835T alpine tractor and am looking to buy a compatible small timber trailer and crane for use in coppice woodlands.

 

As a relative newbie to this industry, I thought I would ask for some advice / opinions as to which kit would suit me best.

 

Initially, I was looking at the Riko Fast Tow Forwarding Trailer as it seems to tick the boxes but the cost of a new one is well out of my budget and secondhand ones don't seem to crop up. I am now looking at buying a small timber trailer with crane and a Ifor Williams trailer to move it, and my tractor, from woodland to woodland instead of a Fast Tow. Ideally, I would like to buy a good quality secondhand bit of kit as my business is in its infancy and I currently do not earn enough to justify expensive machinery. I know that I can buy a suitable secondhand Ifor Williams trailer for around £1K - 2K, so no problem there but as for a timber trailer and crane, I would welcome your two-penneth. Ideally I am looking to extract around 1.5 tons at a time of well overstood coppice.

 

Any advice would be much appreciated!

 

Cheers, Grae

[the village idiot]

Hi Grae,

 

Fancy meeting you here!

 

There are grants available for timber trailers and the like, typically 40%. It might be worth us having a chat about the potential of going in one together? Something like Pete's. It would be a cheap way to get a new trailer, and give it some more use.

A lot of these small timber trailers sit around doing not very much most of the year!

 

Oh, it's Graham by the way.

[gooseflight]

There are grants available for timber trailers and the like, typically 40%.

Are there? Tell me more.

[richy_B]

Is there anything out there that covers equipment still? Some grants for new woodland creation and improvement but I think they exclude equipment. There was a Woodfuels production one by FSC last year that could fund towards equipment but I think it ceased and wasn't likely to return.

 

To the original post, perhaps it is worth investing in the right kit from the start. I think it's around £6.5k from riko from a 3t trailer with crane (I'd got a for a 3t trailer and 60% fill it). That sounds like a lot of money but it's not necessarily what you buy it for but what you sell it for.... I'd imagine you could get 3 years use out of it and easily sell it on for £3-5k. So it's costing you under a grand a year. You could make that back in increased productivity in a couple of weeks.

Edited February 21, 2016 by richy_B

[Grae]

Why hello Graham, I've been a lurker for some time and seen many of your posts. I didn't realise you were the V.I... I guess I should have taken a closer look at your fetching photo!!!

 

I know about the grants and currently have an Outline Application Form and Handbook for the Brecks Leader Group that I need to look into further. It looks like we qualify for the grant but it seems that from application to receiving the grant money it may take many months and we need to get on. Plus, once approved, we would have to stump up all the cash to buy the trailer and then we would receive the 40% after we purchased it.

I'll have a proper chat with you when we next catch up.

 

Gooseflight, There are a few different sources for grants depending on your business aims and each seem to have different criteria. The Forestry Commission held a number of "Pie and Pint" evenings and "Masterclasses" last year where they offered business advice and details on grant funding. Not sure if they are still offering this help but it might be worth talking to your local FC Woodland Officer just in case.

 

Cheers, Grae

[the village idiot]

Why hello Graham, I've been a lurker for some time and seen many of your posts. I didn't realise you were the V.I... I guess I should have taken a closer look at your fetching photo!!!

 

I know about the grants and currently have an Outline Application Form and Handbook for the Brecks Leader Group that I need to look into further. It looks like we qualify for the grant but it seems that from application to receiving the grant money it may take many months and we need to get on. Plus, once approved, we would have to stump up all the cash to buy the trailer and then we would receive the 40% after we purchased it.

I'll have a proper chat with you when we next catch up.

 

Gooseflight, There are a few different sources for grants depending on your business aims and each seem to have different criteria. The Forestry Commission held a number of "Pie and Pint" evenings and "Masterclasses" last year where they offered business advice and details on grant funding. Not sure if they are still offering this help but it might be worth talking to your local FC Woodland Officer just in case.

 

Cheers, Grae

 

14:00. 29/2. Bonny.

[CHC]

Is there anything out there that covers equipment still? Some grants for new woodland creation and improvement but I think they exclude equipment. There was a Woodfuels production one by FSC last year that could fund towards equipment but I think it ceased and wasn't likely to return.

 

To the original post, perhaps it is worth investing in the right kit from the start. I think it's around £6.5k from riko from a 3t trailer with crane (I'd got a for a 3t trailer and 60% fill it). That sounds like a lot of money but it's not necessarily what you buy it for but what you sell it for.... I'd imagine you could get 3 years use out of it and easily sell it on for £3-5k. So it's costing you under a grand a year. You could make that back in increased productivity in a couple of weeks.

 

 

Bit more then that mine cost me about £7500 plus the vat

[Grae]

richy_B, £6.5K is do-able. The Fast Tow with the crane, headboard and 12 x 6 flatbed is more than double that and as I'm currently not earning enough to pay tax, I can't claim the vat back. I hear what you say though and thank you for your opinion.

 

What I am hoping for is that members will say something like 'I have a brand X timber trailer and crane that I use with an alpine tractor to do similar work and its pros and cons are.....'

 

I have found in life that some salesman pitches are rather rose tinted and do not necessarily reflect the real world reality so I thought that it would be good to get some insider knowledge from people that personally own and use this type of kit. As I have limited budget, I would hate to buy something that is not really suitable for my needs!

 

Cheers, Grae

[richy_B]

Bit more then that mine cost me about £7500 plus the vat

 

I haven't got it to hand but I was quoted about £6,800 odd, EX VAT but obviously reclaimable.

[CHC]

That's what I paid for mine last year but it is on flotation tyres and with brakes