monkeybusiness

The ground clearance inboard of the track frames doesn't look very good on that TW. And I wouldn't put a TW190 in the same size category as a GM1928 personally - the infeed throat size is more closely matched to a GM1623. The letterbox feed makes a 1928 operate more like a 9" machine IMO. It will be an interesing day when Timberwolf come up with some of their own ideas and stop having to copy other people's!

Great machines - I've got one that we've put over 1000 hrs on in less than 3 years and it has been amazing. Good strong bits of kit that chip well (as in drag bushy/thorny/awkward shaped stuff in and throw it out the other end) and can get over terrain no other chippers can touch. Get one on demo and draw your own conclusions! As for the disk blades, the 1928 has 4 (2 sets of 2) and it isn't unusual to get 300 hrs out of a set before they require re-sharpening. There is also amazing backup available over the phone from Greenmech - on the odd occasion that we have had a problem it has been diagnosed and a fix explained by Mac or Jason. I don't think there is a better all round tracked machine available - the Bandit 75 looks a good alternative but there would be jobs that I'm certain you wouldn't get it to that you could track straight up to with the GM. Having the ability to take the machine to the job transforms the way you look at challenging work sites.

Contact ebay, let them deal with it. I'd want my money back personally.

What sort of money is the tracked 75?

Some mates and I bought 4 from the APF 3 years ago and they are all still going strong. Not the most exciting saw in the world but I haven't personally heard of any issues with them. The 560xp is a better saw on a smaller bar (15-18''), but I have to admit there have been problems with at least 50% of the ones I personally know of.

I went last year for the day and could have happily spent another day seeing things I didn't manage to get around to - it is a fantastic show!!!

Fantastic - unfortunately there are too many people willing to buy 'cheap' kit, which gives the scrotes an easy market to fill. Great result here though!

Just bear in mind if you go working for yourself it can be more tax efficient than being employed as you get to put all your expenses (within reason) through the books, thus reducing your tax liability. However, this works both ways as you subsequently (on paper) earn less money (the less profit you show the less tax you pay) - it can then become a lot harder to get a mortgage (or even remortgage when your current plan comes to an end). I'd say if you are looking to buy a house or remortgage in the next couple of years then stick with employment personally.

Good luck - my first hand experience of your company and product has been great, I can't recommend you enough!

I'd suggest a cross-brace between the top of the centre pins if it doesn't get in the way of the chipper's discharge. I've got the same trailer with standard (slightly lower than yours) high sides that we line with ply and regularly brim with chip and it barrels out a bit in the middle when full (I suppose your profiled sides would add a fair bit of rigidity though to be fair). It's a heavy tow when fully loaded, and it has never failed to tip no problem if the battery is charged! I've tipped a 3.5 tonne load of stone without it breaking a sweat, and also easily tipped when mounded up with beech rings (don't know what that weighed but it was super heavy!). Best trailer available IMO, and those sides look great!

Speak to Arbinsure (Bartletts) - I've just renewed with them for the second year and they were by far the cheapest. They also paid out for a machinery claim with no quibbles - I can't recommend them enough! I used to be with Trust and will always offer them my business at renewal time as they were good to deal with but they couldn't touch the price this time round (although everyone's business is different of course - they may be cheaper for the next man).

They look good but £330 is an incredible amount of money (I've never been one to scrimp on footwear due to price but that seems bonkers to me).

That's a great truck - if you get it sign written like your Canter it will look amazing! I run a couple of Ivecos (non 4x4) and parts can be dear but they are generally good strong trucks that don't tend to go wrong much. Any machine is better if used regularly - I'm sure the issues you've experienced are due to lack of use. Nice work - very jealous!

I've always worn them and think they are ace (super comfortable from new, hard wearing, waterproof) but the last couple of pairs have split in the sole where the steel insole is. I don't know if this issue has been addressed - if not I don't think I'll buy another pair (to be fair to Haix they replaced them under warranty without any quibble, but the replacements have now done the same and I'm too embarrassed to complain again!).

I've got a milemarker on a Defender and I have to say it has plenty of pull but I don't think it is very well made - I doubt I'd buy another. I bought a chipper with a Warn 9000 fitted which was a lot better than I expected, and have since fitted a Winchmax (cheap eBay jobby) to another chipper that is absolutely amazing! Very well made (the only poor bit is the remote switch, easily replaced) - I can't recommend them highly enough. You could buy 6 of them before you covered the cost of a new hydraulic set up... I can only imagine your wiring loom disaster was caused by incorrect fitting somehow - this isn't meant as a dig by the way. There isn't a lot of technical wiring in a winch, you just need good leads to the battery and a 12v supply to the solenoid.

I'm guessing you want as big a chipper as you can get below 2.75 tonne?...

Dunno if it's still available but Grazon 90 used to be the stuff for that.

I've got a hycrack and an oxdale hydraulic splitter - they are both good but I reckon the hycrack is more productive (it is certainly capable of splitting things the oxdale can't). I've never trapped my fingers once - it is very predictable. You just have to understand that it wants to rotate the timber if possible, so you present the log in such a way that it can't. Pretty simple if the operator has any level of common sense IMO.

Check your flow and return aren't reversed - this can make valve blocks perform in strange ways... If you have different sized fittings on the end of your hydraulic hoses and they only fit into certain plugs on the Mog this doesn't mean they are correct if the crane hasn't been set up to run off your Mog. As previously said - it is important to ensure the flow is going in the correct direction through your spool block.

I've used a couple of 1623 diesels, and they are very good. I believe the chipping end of your machine will be the same, so it should work well. I would imagine it is a nice light machine, but may be a bit thirsty compared to a diesel.

George Carrs in Bristol have a lot of kit (at least they used to when I lived down there many moons ago) - it might be worth a drive out. As said, try different stuff on. If you are going to be a climber I would stay away from the basic forestry helmets with chin straps and pick a proper climbing lid personally. And you'll need all round protection in your trousers if you intend using a chainsaw up a tree too (be prepared to be amazed at how hot they are!). Good luck and welcome to the forum.

That is amazing value!

IMO if I was really short staffed and needed new guys ASAP then I'd look at posts like this and possibly make contact, and take it from there. I'm not sure how many companies are out there that are that desperate for new blood at the moment however. I commend your enthusiasm and you've sold yourself well but in reality if you want to get your foot in the door you are much better off approaching local tree companies directly and hounding them until they give you a trial. At the same time approach anyone who is advertising for staff (of any level) and talk your way in - if you are the right guy the training costs can be accommodated by any decent business.

That looks a great machine -superb!

I think Decis is the product you need if it's still available.