Highland Forestry

NICE machines!! Working my way through tractor porn, I mean Farm Trader here..

Hmmm..... sure they said Tuesday he's back but could easily be wrong.. Might be worth a call before you head over Stevie!

I've already got Jim on the case Stevie... as far as I'm aware he is on holiday until Tuesday.. If you are heading over anyway, a wee nosey would be appreciated. I think Jim can sort us a trailer no bother, it's just finding the right tractor and getting guarding/belly plates fitted etc. Last time I spoke to him he was going on the hunt for a good unit for me... will see what he comes up with when he gets back from his travels!!

Thanks for the replies guys.. I'm under no illusions at all... we're looking at a budget of around 35-40k for the entire set up.. have had a couple of quotations from a couple of dealers for tractors and trailers with cranes but I just can't justify the money they're looking for. We have a contract on the go at the moment to cut/extract around 2500-3000t of hardwood thinnings so it's time to take the plunge and get a machine sorted.. That's a nice looking set up Robert.... is she for sale??

Sorry, should have made my post a bit clearer... yep, that's exactly what I'm after, crane on the trailer.

Hi All.. I'm on the look out for a tractor based forwarding set up.. Looking for something like a Valmet, MB Trac, Fastrac or similar, forestry guarded with 8/9t trailer and crane and ideally double drum winch. If anyone knows of any for sale please let me know!!! Matt

We are currently looking for a Sub Contractor holding Pesticides tickets PA1 & PA6 in Aberdeenshire for a large work programme involving spot treatment for Large Pine Weevil control as well as Chemical Weeding around tree shelters on broadleaf plantations. Experience is desirable but not essential as training may be given to the right person already holding PA1/PA6. Immediate start available. For more information please contact [email protected]

The Ben looks good!!

I'm never far away

David... I would think the drive shaft would probably be ok to be honest mate.. I would deffinatley be checking the bearings that hold it though. Hardened steel tends to snap and shatter rather than cut like mild steel so you could be lucky.. the reason the pin would have come out in the first place would be from fracturing. I'd get her stripped right down and checked and then get a thorough examination done for peace of mind. Sorry to hear that.. not good news.

John, on the last photo, the fourth tree in from the left looks like it may have an included union.. you might want to check it out ! Nice photos.. love the action shot of the yellow car

Yep, Willow is good and soft... chippertastic!!

I'd totally agree with that, and know the scenario well!!! My accountant costs me in excess of 1k a year but does absolutley everything, all the bookwork, VAT, TAX, the works.. Last financial year he picked up on the fact that I was still owed over 6k that I thought had already been paid, he then saved me quite a bit off my tax bill so if you look at it in those terms, having an accountant can also be a good investment in yourself and you're business. On an even more positive note.. I used to do all my accounts, tax, vat etc myself and found I spent all my spare time trying to keep it up to date.. I hate doing accounts so now I don't have to do any of that.. just hand him a massive pile of paperwork at the end of the quarter and concentrate on running my business.

Congratulations Justin... I did convey my congrats on FB, but thought I should here too! Fantastic news!! Hope mum and baby are both well!!

Talking from personal experience... there was a period last year where i decided it was much cheaper (and easier) for me to sit on my arse at home earning nothing and having a chance to develop my business than going out cheap and working my bckside into the ground for nothing.. Anyone can be a busy fool.. my dad told me that when I started in this game and I didn't believe him, I thought it was better to be out every single day I could and earn something rather than nothing and one day it would come good... Now I realise that he was right, working for cheap because you're competitors are cheap dosent do you any favours, you end up stressed, with knackered kit, no money in the bank and wondering how you ended up there.

I suppose it depends on the type of work you are doing, and from job to job. We have been doing lot of clearance work recently which has involved the chipper slogging it's guts out all day. Have to agree about the chipper sitting on full revs with nothing going through it -pet hate. 100 hrs a year is pretty good.. she'll last you many years of good service!

!!! ewww

I like that way of thinking dean - all very true. But do you charge 280 a day for the chipper for having it on-site or only for the time used per day? I would have to charge for the whole day as it could be earning money chipping on another site if I didnt. Some days you win, some days you loose... often our machine is chipping away for a minimum 7hrs a day but sometimes only for 30 mins or an hour..

Like I said.... two very different businesses I suppose.. My ranger is only a year old and I have done 31000 miles in 12 months!! It's not just the added cost of towing, it;s wear and tear on a trailer which also has to be maintained.. the tyres on our trailer are £80 a pop, and then there's smashed lights etc etc. 450kg? Lucky you! Our set up weighs in at 2800kg!!! (It fairly puts your MPG down!!!)

I can't comment on STS's figures as everybody's business is different. My business is almost exclusivley commercial and the costs we incur are alot highrer... some examples of chipper running costs for budgetting purposes would be: Fuel to Tow Chipper (trailer for tracked) £10 per day extra Fuel to power chipper £20 on red diesel Grease £1.50 per day (half tube of grease per 8hrs use) Servicing and consumable parts £300 every 200hrs (oil, filters, labour, inspection etc) Spares, springs, bolts etc £150.00 per annum Blades - two sets and or sharpening £100.00 Based on 180 days a year (15 days per month average) my running costs for our safetrack would work out around £6820 per annum. There are other costs too which I havent factored in such as providing a spill kit, chipper training for operatives, 6 monthly thorough examinations, fuel filters if you're jerry cans are full of crap etc etc. Even with the above costings - the chipper is still viable, returning a profit of over 10k a year after expenses and costs. Having a chipper makes you're business more viable and more profitable IMO. Just my tuppence worth

what a numpty. What's the betting they had to call out a pro to sort out that fine little mess?

What about 34/35 ?? You've got pictures of dealing with a windblown tree on an insurance job without having a windblow ticket? I think the site looks quite good... lots going on. The animations at the top look quite good.

Just had to have one replaced on a ford ranger.... thank god for warranty!! I'd get it checked out ASAP at a good garage mate..

Would anyone be interested in buying a very large Elm burr?? Don't wan't to derail this thread but I have a large burr sitting outside just now.. about 3ft diameter I think she is, round - took three of us to lift her into the back of the truck. What's she worth???

Looks like a P.O.S to me!!! 4k??? Fine if you want to buy yourself some hassle.