nickc

Old graveyards are a nightmare. Lucky if they are 6inch down never mind 6ft. And not all graves are marked or in obvious places. Grave stones sometimes are moved or are lying just below the surface.

Believe what you want. I am not a salesman and get nothing for posting this. It is an honest review if I wasn’t happy I would more than be happy to say so.

Been a year since I purchased the Herder and thought I would update you all on life with a Herder. We have now completed 454 hours (nearly 20% up on previous years) and to date the only issue was a failed fan belt earlier on in my ownership. I have worked the machine hard in every environment- large stumps, small stumps, site clearance & back garden. And no other issues which I find really hard to believe. I always expect something with previous machines and justified it in my head as normal as these machines work hard. The increased hours are in line with an increase in turnover. Running costs are down - which has resulted in more profit. Tracks were a concern - but I soon got use to them and whenever wet condition I drop a board or two. Not a issue in reality. Fuel costs are down considerably. It is very efficient. Enough that I can notice the difference on a daily basis. I am going through a similar amount of teeth - which is what you would expect. The work I do is mostly in garden and this gets in most places as access 31inch. Don’t really see this as issue less than 20% of my work is with smaller machine and usually it’s not a width issue, but a tight turn and/or steps. Really surprised how it climbs slopes and works on angles others would topple over on. Don’t do any work where access below 29inch - affects less than 1 job a month - not enough to justify a smaller machine. Is the the lower Horsepower an issue - No. In fact I now wonder why dealers push horsepower so much. Obviously if you only do big site clearance I do understand, but how much difference does it make in most back gardens? Do the increased cost of ownership/running cost etc makes most garden stumps less profitable? Not sure of answers to these questions, but Herder has certainly made me think more about it. Would I have another - yes definitely. In fact I had planned to renew after 2 years. With the improved reliability I am considering moving this to 3 years. Nick

Always happy to chat[emoji106]

I am struggling to explain this on a public forum without giving too much private information. Basically my total costs are now less than 40% of my turnover each year. I have been doing stumps for close to 15 years and have amassed a lot of regular clients. I don’t really advertise and I don’t struggle to find work. I do work in an area with quite a bit of wealth. Also experience has shown me that running costs increase as the machine ages. I have always avoided buying 2nd hand machines as the price of spares, downtime etc can make them more expensive to run than a new machine. I admit that the cost of machinery has been something I have struggled with for many years. Prices have spiralled over the years. If I was starting out now then I don’t think the figures stand up. The investment that you need to lay down for the amount of potential return is shocking.

I am sure Dow Mus-Max can provide current prices. With regards to profits. I will have covered my costs of ownership & running costs within months not years I keep machines 2 years from new. I know what it cost me and expect a certain amount of return on selling it. It’s simple accountancy - if I making more than it costs me then I am in profit whether that’s over the life time, annually or monthly. As I only do stumps and nothing else it’s simple. If i was doing all kinds of tree work may be little more difficult to calculate. Often see 2nd hand grinders for sale with low hours and wonder how they ever made enough to cover purchase costs never mind operating costs. To be honest I have even calculated costs per hour to run a machine -you would be surprised at some of the figures, but this is my business data and private. I believe that all machinery should make you profit- if it can’t then it is sold. I am not a charity. I keep data on all sorts of information regarding my business. In a previous career I worked for a financial institution and one of my job was analysing accounts and producing reports Makes me a bit of a nerd when it comes to record keeping and looking at figures.

Dow Mus-Max speak to Colin http://www.woodfuelmachinery.co.uk/

Been running the Herder now since May and reached 170hrs on the clock. Only issue in that time has been a alternator belt failure which I have put down to faulty part as been monitor since and no issues. Machine has been super reliable. I was worried that dropping down HP (45-32) that I would see a drop in my turnover as it was never going to cut as fast as the bigger machine. In fact turnover has remained the same and apart from the larger jobs where it can take slightly longer I have noticed little or no difference. Where I have seen a change is in the amount of fuel I am going through. Way less perhaps as much as 30%. I am recording fuel usage as I do with all machines and longer I run the machine the more accurate I can be on these figures. The remote was the hardest thing to get use to - it was way more sensitive that the older switched remote I was use to. I am now very happy with the remote. Allows me to be more delicate when working near fences and walls. Can almost touch the object before I need to stop. Access has improved now do as much as 85% of work with this machine. I also have a rayco 25hp walk behind. Dosnt get much work as herder gets into most places. These 2 machines do all my work. Havnt missed the really narrow access jobs (below 29inch) was lucky if they were 1% of my work and not sure they every really made that much money. In summary - really happy with my choice of machine. Great build quality. Turnover unaffected by change, but profits way up.[emoji3]

I have had a terrible experience with my 2013 ranger. Been out of action 8 weeks now still waiting on new engine. Be told by ford that finally the engine has arrived and should be back to me soon - it will be up for sale & will never buy another Ford again (been ford owner for 32 years) FordUK have been useless - and don't seem to care. In 2.5 years of ownership this is 4th failure. The oil pump is a known issue they have recalled transit with same engine, but not ranger (or just some, but not mine as apparently not affected 😣). Obviously they don't expect ranger drivers to do as much mileage so by time it fails it will be out of warranty. If it's got 2.2 engine I wouldnt touch it.

Youtube videos of my Herder in action. The stump was left high by tree surgeon as there was a cavity in middle that some numpty had filed with concrete.

Still waiting for new engine in mine (oil pump failure) - been 7 weeks and ford still have no idea how long it will take. Ford agreed to pay part as out of warranty but still leaves me with £5k bill. Just ordered a van as given up on ford. Ranger will be for sale when it's eventually returned. Worst vehicle I have ever owned by a long way. In 2.5 years had half shaft seal, abs unit, rear brakes and intercooler blew - oh and a battery.

Had a 2006 - best vehicle I had 200000 miles- one cv joint and one ball joint. Wish I had never got rid of it. New ones shocking. Also had abs unit, half shaft seal & blew the intercooler. Now new engine all in 2.5 years.

Not sure about 3.2 - don't know if same engine block etc. Seems to be 2.2 from what I have seen. Will be last ford I own

2.2 xlt 2013

Ford have agreed to pay part of the costs of replacement, but still left with £5 plus bill. Not happy and after a little investigation found out it really common. Not only ranger affected but same engine in transit and also last version of Defender all have had problems with oil pump - some have been recalled but not all. My Ranger wasn't recalled and apparently wasn't affected !!!!!! Oh and it's now three weeks and they still havnt got all the parts to fix. Would recommend everybody sell Ranger. Not worth hassle and FordUK not prepared to accept there is an issue.