Sutton

Thanks for that. Agreed completely on transferring weight from trailer to tractor for traction as well as not going down the dolly route. The reason I ask is the positioning of the axle is very far back That is, weight of the crane/headboard, half the bunk weight and half the load of logs which would put about 8ton directly on the tractor hitch. Another option is repositioning the axle forward. That's probably the best way to go. Even if it's a lot more work

Hi All, Thought I'd ask for your reactions to a few ideas on converting a forwarder bunk/crane into a tractor forestry trailer. Est. tare weight 4ton, gross 15+ton cranab | eBay A fixed drawbar with swivel ring hitch is obviously the first place to start. But its a bit limited other than for use in the yard. I've got two other options. The crane weight with the bogie axles mean stabiliser legs aren't necessary. The prob tho is that all that log loading will be exerted more on the tractor hitch than the trailer axle. A lot of stress/force - more than the 3ton max weight limit it should have. So what to do? I've almost discounted a sprung drawbar cos forwarding loads at speed (even on the road) are unlikely but it may help in dampening the shock of loading. What do you think? A second option is to fabricate a steerable drawbar (the baseunit being articated means this isn't too complicated). This would definitely require a free swivelling jockey wheel to displace the weight from the the tractor hitch. A bit like this but obviously with a rigid much more substantial drawbar: Would you be happy using something like this? A towable terragator sort of thing. If things go to plan, I'll post some work in progress pics next month Cheers:001_smile:

Thanks for your replies. I've started phoning round as suggested. Cheers

The Mrs and me have a smallholding near Bath. Sheep, chickens, veg, fruit trees etc. You know the sort of thing, right? Anyway, we need to get on top of the two acres of grazing we have before spring. Does anyone know of a scarifier for hire or for sale in the Bath/Avon/Wiltshire area? It would need to be the blade type (fixed or swinging) not the spring tyne as the grass's thatch/moss is deep. The drag harrowing we did last year helped but wasn't enough. As for power, we could go either way: tractor PTO or push along. A collector would be nice too And yes I tried fleabay but all the good stuff is too far away. Cheers

I'm down south and have 50 x 1cu.m unused bags. If someone local to you sorts you out with a trial set and you want to get some more, PM me an offer for these.

Would you sell the cup brackets that you've got picutred with the DIN plate? If so How much please? PM a reply if you like. Thanks

For me, I would make something for a couple of £100 rather than buy something. Though re-sale valu:001_huh:e is always worth considering. I had a Palax KS35 with an additional hydraulic circuit (1/4" BSP hydraulic flow) that would've been good for a deck (log table/or raiser). I picked up the base of a hiab crane that rolled up and down on an artic trailer by two hydraulic motors. It was £30. A bit of welding for propelling crosses and a sloping frame underneath, plumbed in to the processor and I reckon it would have been a simple enough solution. Mind you, it wouldn't have been pretty ... It depends what you want, a nice bit of purpose built kit or prefer to design/ fabricate your own stuff. I know I love the challenge of the later. Good luck with the choice

Strange, I thought it was the other way round How Does Wood Expand and Contract? | eHow.com And on the other point, subbing is def a good way to expand

My previous 395 had this prob. Oil is coming out of the breather. Try blowing - very gently - some compressed air down this with the saw running (and the bar off). If that doesn't work, then it's blockage may need more serious investigation. Good Luck.

I've recently moved to Avon. Try Welcome to FCA Membership Ltd - Forestry Contracting Association For timber hauliers. They're bound to advise

I thought that too but it says it's a turbo which could mean two things. Its either got a turdo added to an engine not designed for it or an upgraded engine which I reckon is unlikely. Good toy though...

I have a slab of 6'x20"x4" of middle section oak that has been seasoning for over 2 years without the bark/pith. It came from a straight stem that grew on a steep north facing slope so has tight rings and a nice grain. Anyone know how much oak is now? It used to be £50.00 cu.ft but may be lower now. A cabinet maker spied it in my shed and offered £80.00 for it. I said I'd think about it. Is this a fair price?

Thanks muchly for the replies. Anyhow, looks like it's not a good prospect so I'll carry on carrying on

Anyone ever up'ed their trucks with larger wheels/tyres? My Cabstar is on 205s and I can comfortably go with bigger diameter tyres for not much more than the normal cost of a new set even allowing for suspension movement and mudguard clearance etc Just an idea given that bigger wheels means increasing mpg

Hiya All, My first thread and it's seasonal too. But first just a brief intro. I mainly do woodland mangement from planting to felling in the summer and firewood sales in the winter which I've been doing for 11 years now. Great forum and very interesting reading. Anyway, following on from _tc's thread about freezing air tanks, do you know any ways of cleaning all the crud and rusty-coloured condensate out of the air system of an old vehicle (a forwarder) that's been stood for a while? Some of the air switches in the cab are temperamental, that is, it takes them a while to make up their minds whether they're going to work or not... The air operates diff-locks, brakes, loader actuator etc so it's not simple. I've tried ethanol into the reservoir and then emptying the tanks and then re-filling a few times but not had much joy. Is the only way to strip out and dismantle and replace. Any advice or experience is much appreciated. Thanks JamesS

Hoping to. Am interested in possibly getting into mechanical harvesting for local woodchip so will windowshop without a wallet. Anyone on here got any recommendations (e.g. valmet)?

I've taken quite a few prebooked already. Though I've not taken the money upfront as they're all from longtime loyal customers. Perhaps I should rethink things. Hmmm.

I reckon it depends on your age. I'm 40 and want a easier quieter working day so I use a chainsaw processor. Like others on here, I started on a McConnel and maul and worked up from there. IMO the Hakki Pilke Eagle is overpriced for what it is and it would be best stretching to something bigger.

The FC cleared a large acreage of beech at Milton Abbas, try them

I'm near Shaston, N Dorset & have a 13" Palax - about an hr from Weymouth. What kind of period would you want it for? I'm using it most weeks but could be flexible Just to intro myself, as this is my first post: I've been selling logs for 9 years and work in local woodlands, thinning and restocking mainly.