Mr Ed

I gave up on the truth a long time ago:wink: That mog would be great for playing at skidding, but based on Matts figures, I would want a proper machine for the job...

Deja Vu?

Shame they dont do a multi way wedge. I really like the one on Fuelwoods transaw, very simple.

And if he picks fruit, he can put it in a basquet. Covered about 1100 miles last week.

Renewablejohn got a match funded grant totaling £150k I think...

Cause Fassi dont build a B3 rated crane. It relates to the load movements for a given lifetime, and grab crane makes a lot of those - timber grab cranes more than any other.

Scanreco seem to supply most of them. You can buy a valve chest and redio remote for about £4k as an option on a new crane, but your looking at a fitting cost of roughly £2-3k on an older crane. I have 2 battery's and a charger in the cab. Niether lasts longer than an hour, so I think I'm going to need new ones.

Then you need a decent skidder. It will need winches. And given the value and importance of the contract, I would look at something decent and tidy. Here's my suggestion - Try and find a decent mid 90's 4 wheel Valmet 901. Its quite common to pick them up for under £5k with no head. Have the wheels swapped round so it grips in 'reverse' Get a double drum Igland, and have it converted to run hydraulic. Have this mounted on the 'front' of the machine. Have a butt plate fabricated. For an extra £500 or so, you can convert the winch to radio remote. Put a grab on the crane instead of the head. If you have decent fabricator that does'nt rip you off, you should be able to build the whole machine for under £15k. You will then have a machine that will match that £180,000 HSM skidder in the video. It will have complete 360 cab rotation (absolute lifesaver when skidding) and a crane to sort and stack your poles at landing.

Radio remote as an aftermarket Fit is vera vera expensive. probably £7k or thereabouts.

I'll try and cut down on the beans and saurkraut. Sorry to hear about your small problem:001_rolleyes:

Matt - 1. How many poles are you shifting on this contract? 2. Do you have to winch them from tight spots, or can you get a machine right up to them? 3.Whats your extraction distance? As a % of your business, how important is this contract?

My place is called Tyddyn Gwynt , which translates as Windy Smallholding....

Little crawlers like the old CD50 County, CAT D2 and inty BDT4 can move awsome amounts of wood. An old timber man I used to sub too had a little international BDT4, about 6 tonne weight. It had a big brash rake on the front, and double hydraulic winches on the back. It was amazing how much big hardwood he could shift with it, he used to stack all the cordwood on the front rake to forward it out, and he could blade all the brash and burn off in no time. Trouble with a lot of these machines is they are reaching classic status. You used to be able to pick up a decent little crawler for £3000, not anymore

I have priced a 400 with big infeed deck and all options at £14k

I know that feeling. I was making a fortune out of growing Marijuana, so the accountant told me to buy a busines that would show some big losses. Treework was the obvious choice:laugh1:

It was definately worth a few laughs:001_smile: Heres a shreks wee skidder - [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InYaqkYKR1c]YouTube - berfor forcat 2000 mini track skidder[/ame]

The other big issue is that to qualify, you cannot place an order for kit until you have been approved. Then, you have to spend the full amount before you get the grant back.

That is a very cool thing to do.

Stevie - I'll ask again. If Unimogs are so good, why did you sell yours?

Taijfun 380.

I retract my earlier statement. I clarify by stating that in my windy yard, beech billets with an end section approx 4" square will go down to approx 30% moisture content in 3 months. I know this as I've measured it with a moisture meter.

I've seen one working with a very large firm in Northern Ireland, and a local guy I know has one. Very well built, proper harvester bar, the one in NI works solidly 8 hours a day every day and no serious problems. Seem to be an excellent piece of kit. What sort of price you been quoted?

Usually looking at about 75% costs, 25% profit if your a small business.

And tiny wheels. Dont forget them either...