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Can highly recomend both http://www.pwsacc.co.uk/bumpers.htm and TBR, as mentioned previously. My winch mount came from PWS 4 years ago and has survived a fair amount of abuse and seen off two winches. My suspension came from TBR, the service was very good, and they also supply winch mountings. A discrete mounting is more solid than the current ranges of winch bumpers which now must be tested to the same strength as the previous bumper mountings to ensure air bag compatability. The vast majority of winches have the same mounting pattern, so don't be drawn into buying the winch from the mounting supplier. If you are looking to use the winch for assisted felling then buy bigger than you would for self recovery. I've gone from 8000lb, through 9000lb and now use a 12000lb. Electric is cheapest, but for regular use i would definately go for hydraulic.

Don't sell anything yet. In my opion the best thing to do is list what you are looking for the tractor to do, you can then put that in an order of preference. As has already been said you will have a job to get a single tractor to be useful in the cold house and the other operations. Although the equal wheel centre pivot tractors are good, dealer support will be an issue. So the most important choice would be based on the local dealers, there are a huge number of suppliers of spares for vintage and classic machinery now so don't be afraid to buy something old. Without knowing the size of the holding, the cropping or the level of experience you have it's difficult to make a concidered suggestion. Cabs certainly make the winter more pleasant, but reduce choice if buildings are low. Will you be the only driver, or will you be employing someone to help? If so the requirements will be different.

I think you've got a good buy. I'm much more impressed with Graham Edwards trailers than the current Ifor's. My mate has reciently bought a new Ifor, the same as mine, and it looks much less rigid. The I section floor supports have been replaced with box section, and looks much more like it has been built to a price. Mine has taken a huge amount of abuse, i only hope his can take as much.

If you like a navara then a Patrol with a load liner would be much better! As for pick-up's, you've got it easy... try replacing a 4x4 van!

Yep, Swanndri here too. The Ranger shirts are great. The boot socks are a revelation too. Really warm and stay up, even in wellies.

I may be able to help, if you have transport, i'm not too far away. pm sent

It's not just the fitting that costs, but the servicing and inspection too. I use this chart, from it i feel i don't need a tacho. Ok it's slightly out of date now the distance has been changed, but feel it still applies for me.

I'm certainly no expert in this area, and i don't want to get anyone's hope's up under false pretences, but I think you should be ok if you are contracted provide a service rather than just labour. From the looks of you link, if you provide a person with a machine then you are exempt from licencing. So so long as every person who works for you can be seen to have a machine to work you may be ok?

Me too, please. Would be a mug not to!

Came here from Treehouse too. Don't say much on either site though, as i'm only a part-timer and don't climb. But enjoy the banter even if i don't join in and learn plenty from the experts.

Find somewhere nice and secure to keep it, they are going missing again round here. Some of the older models were chain driven, should be ok if its an owner driver but with a lack of regular maintaince can cause problems. Having always used Honda, i was very impressed with a mates Yamaha Kodiak. A bit cheaper than a Honda of the same size too. But Honda parts are so easy to get, with both fieldens and Lings nearby.

Distributed in the UK by Toolstars. Quite widely available, try your local fasteners specialist. Or there seems to be a good deal here. http://www.teng.co.uk/product-details.asp?prod_id=647

Britool are as good as Snap on or Teng, but since they have been taken over by Stanley their warentee replacement policy has gone down hill. Teng i cant fault. Replaced my tool chest no questions asked after nearly a year bouncing around in my truck.

Yes a hammer impact driver will quickly pay for itself on that sort of job, greatly reducing the time it takes to get the job done. The shock loading from hitting the end of the tool helps to loosen the bolt in the threads and undo it. Also much less likely to round off the star.

My father had Stihl on the farm. I did my training with a Husky and have stuck with them, but my first saw was and still is a 242XP, so it that a surprise?! Have continued with them so i have common parts. But if a big Stihl was offered to me i'd have a job to turn it down.