monkeybusiness

Yeah, physically they are the same size as the 3.5 tonne ivecos, just built on heavier chassis and axles (engines/gearboxes etc are the same across the weight ranges AFAIK). Iveco Dailys are built like little trucks (unlike transits etc, which are built like big cars) and can all carry weight incredibly well, especially with uprated springs on the smaller ones. Running the one you’ve pictured would be a sensible solution to many in our industry but brings with it a multitude of hurdles. Those prepared to jump over those hurdles can just as easily run any weight rigid truck and trailer combo, and the chances are if they are bothering to upgrade it’s because they need more capacity (volume as well as weight). The ridiculousness of the situation is that anyone could buy that truck and downplate it to 3.5 tonne, thus not needing a tachograph/o-licence etc. It wouldn’t weigh significantly more than the official 3.5 tonne version so would have a similar payload (next to bugger all). Obviously it could then be used day to day in the same way as the majority of transit based setups are - grossing 4.5 tonnes plus when loaded etc etc (anyone suggesting this isn’t the case isn’t being realistic). Totally illegal but arguably safe as it’s designed to run at 7 tonnes. They need to look at 3.5 tonne class vehicles in this country IMO as they aren’t really fit for purpose at present, something that will get worse as we are forced towards electric vehicles. It needs to be much more straightforward for people to run little trucks like the one you’ve pictured legally.

It’d make sense as an addition to a larger truck fleet for bad access etc but to my mind if going down the operators licence/tachograph etc route on a small scale you may as well have a proper truck (12ish tonner) as not much bigger but could be a useful tipper/hooklift/hiab etc setup. It does look handy though!

Tachograph and possibly speed limited too though. And 6 week checks. And you can’t tow 3.5 tonnes with a standard licence, even pre 97.

Tachograph and possibly speed limited too though. And 6 week checks.

There’s a lot of work in that Eddie - are the tracks longer too? They look enormous! I doubt you’ll be able to even see that bucket...

It’s going on a 6 tonne Takeuchi - apparently it has 100l/min oil flow so should (on paper at least) run any in this size range. My concern is it taking longer to recover the drum speed when working if running a larger/heavier rotor. I’m not concerned about the weight of the unit/machine stability, just the recovery lag between ‘bites’ if that makes sense? Willow is always a pain to mulch (it’s bad enough putting it through a not-razor-sharp chipper!).

Just out of interest, are you happy with how this performs/how your digger runs it? I’m seriously contemplating one of these but am torn between the 90cm and 110cm. I’d prefer the wider cut but don’t want to over-face the machine!

Great stuff, thanks John

Weapon! Where did you get that from if you don’t mind me asking?

As previously asked - what flail is that boyo?

Hi John - is that running flails or a caged rotor? Cheers

I think you need to go and do all that other work you have available and leave this current set-up. It’s not beneficial to you or your employer to continue with such animosity on your part. Sometimes it might be worth reflecting on who is out there finding/providing the work that puts food on your table though - they aren’t necessarily out to make your life hard/totally useless/coming up with apparently ridiculous suggestions for the sake of it. This (and pretty much every other) industry is full of hoops that need jumping through, and it’s not likely that there will be fewer hoops any time soon IMO.

If you want to work for someone you need to play by their rules, it’s pretty simple really. I’d personally argue the tablet charge but otherwise what they are asking seems reasonable to me.

Or is it a pointless exercise on a small digger like this?

I’d imagine a decent autoelectrician would be able to piggyback it, so you get both options.

I’m considering buying a mulcher for a 6 tonne digger - anyone have any recommendations/personal experience?

If it’s already got an electrical control box/spoils then turning it into radio control is pretty easy - speak to approved hydraulics, they will sort you out.

I’ve just bought a kit of parts to do this on a Bandit 250 PTO (but it won’t be hand feedable once converted). The cetop valves are straightforward enough (I sourced them through Flowfit), and I’ve bought a multi-function radio control unit that apparently latches on certain channels off eBay from China for £20 (that actually looks and feels cheap and nasty and I’m not convinced how good it will be but we will see - a more professional heavy duty equivalent is available for around £400 from Approved Hydraulics and I may go down that road yet). My set up requires a 12v supply and will default to stop (ie oil returns straight to tank instead of turning rollers) when de-energised/not plugged in etc. The Bandit stress control is still in situ/not messed around with. There will be a couple of emergency stop switches on the hopper which will basically de-energise everything, and the radio control will latch to feed, momentary/hold reverse, with momentary/hold crush and roller lift. When things calm down I’ll wire/plumb it all in and report back!

I hope whoever burgled you dies slowly and painfully, scummy pondlife.

Pledge

Hopefully your nephew gets charged with handling stolen goods, dirty little thief.

Sorry to hear that Nathan. Scumbags everywhere unfortunately.

Looks amazing - lacks a log deck/better loading set up though surely?

Heavy duty rear springs - speak to Midland Road Springs.

One infeed roller to save cost (these were a budget/entry level model) - they were supplied with stress control so speak to Timberwolf with your serial number and they should be able to price you up the missing parts.