dig-dug-dan

Was surprised at how much louder the yanmar engines are compared to kubota, only noticed it the other day!

Fair play taking on replacing that engine. That looks a ball ache, even without oil everywhere!

To be fair, my insurance company are only intersested in being informed of the modification, they were not interested in any certificate! So my vosa guy was gettting a bit excited then was he? I can understand adding a tailored canopy to a pickup would be ok, but not making something yourself from what i gather.

Yes you should tell your insurance company but vosa don't need to get involved. Least that's what I was lead to believe when I was digging around a while back. Also...you could have the body removed and a new custom one made and as long as you don't alter the chassis or axle etc then again, no need to involve vosa. Same goes for converting a drop side to a tipper Let me explain whats happened to me. Back in may i ordered a nissan cabstar double cab tipper. But i did not want the tipper body that nissan were going to supply, i wanted the vfs three way tipper. Vfs use a scattolini tipper, and in fact all nissan single cab dual wheel tippers are fitted with it, but one way only. The single wheel tippers are tipmaster, but for some reason, the double cabs are fitted with something else. Now, because i am having my own tipper body fitted, albeit a standard off the shelf, fitted to all other single cab cabstars, the vehicle cannot leave the vfs premises and be road registered until it has a certificate of conformity. This has to be done by vosa, who then issue it. Mine was done on 19th december, and i am still waiting, although it may arrive monday. I happened to query this with a customer who works for vosa, or dsa as they are now called? Who said it applies to any body modification that alters carrying capacity and load bearing, as well as alterations that can alter the structural rigidty of the vehicle. His comment was thus, most wont bother, but in the event of an accident, or a routine stop check, it will then be flagged up and dealt with depending on the nature of the modification and its intended purpose. Drilling holes in exisiting factory fitted body to accomodate extension sides would come under this remit, Converting a dropside to a tipper would also require re calculations as to payloads which need to be indicated on the vinplate, and this can only be done by authorised and approved bodybuilders with input from vosa, in order to achieve a coc!

Just to jump on this, making your own chip box is classed as a modification to the vehicle, and therefore your insurance must be notified., but as i have also recently found out, it then needs to have a certificate of conformity, which requires a vosa inspection!

No, but cracking bit of music for a change!

Thats as may be, but i have a big problem with the travelling community using this type of wording in their vehicles to make it look like they are genuine.

Often wondered why these machines need a green flashing light? Dont get me started on the highway maintainence sticker!

Shant bother as this truck is sold soon as the new one appears, but will look to do something with the next one, once the warranty expires after 5 years! In their defence, vfs said if the tipler is not used often, it can sieze. Sometime i can go three months without tipping

Agreed, it really needs grease points

Problem sorted today. The engineer went to remove the ram and discovered tne two pivot bearings either side of the two lugs had seized, so when the ram went up, it was forced to bend and then jam. He freed them up, and i will be getting a refund as no new ram required! Slightly surprised there was no way of lubricating them, they are designed like that!

Cracking bit of kit. It needs some way of retracting those hoses so they dont dangle down in a loop. Also, i presume not much cop on wet ground?

Found the website for the one listed. http://woodprocessor24.co.uk And they are based just up the road from me. Very tempted for my own firewood in my stove

Just ordered another brian james trailer, phasing out the ifors. They have not moved with the times imo, basic design, poor axles, crap locks, welding is very poor, electrics always problematical

Not sure its actually allowed without still going down tacho route. Worth vosa confirming

Had no idea such a rule existed. It deffo needs changing!

About time too in my opinion

It seems to handle some hefty timber! What a tool

What sort of grab do you have on that? Fixed thumb or tilty jobby on the boom?

Thats an identical set up to mine, but i already had a light fitted, amd the switch was built in to it. Did your machine not have a light at all?

Had the same issue. Welded a bolt inside the hex head and undone them like that

Really pleased you didnt give in. It sends a message out to people like this that they need to pay up same as everyone else. I recently refused to give up whe the local highways refused to pay for pothole damage. 6 months on, not only have the coughed up the money, but also the court fees on top, so in the end, the small guy can win against the big guys!

An update for you. Eventually got hold of an engineer at vfs. My goodness these guys are hard to deal with, they never get back to you! Anyway, after a few tests, he has confirmed i need a new ram. They have quoted around 600 plus vat, fitted, on site! I was quite happy given the fact i was quoted 800 to repair locally, and i would have to have removed it and put it back on again! Plus i can sell the old ram on ebay.!!!

Thats a good post! Makes a lot of sense

Interestingly, when i decided to buy the biggest avant available, i opted for the 750, rather than the 760i, simply because the latter had a kohler engine. I wanted the kubota. They are bringing out an 860 in feb, and if its got a kohler engine, i wont be interested. They are not good powerplants imo