LGP Eddie

I know exactly where you're coming from, but my chipper is some chunk of metal being fitted with the steel infeed conveyor, and would be a total nightmare front mounted. If it's setup on the rear it wouldn't need to be touched to get to work upon arrival at the workplace, and I wouldn't be looking for somewhere to drop a trailer. The other fact is a 'T' series Valtra running pretty balanced is going to be ok on some reasonable off road terrain or even just poor access routes where the trailer would be getting a real beating. I'd hope given a fairly simple dismounting procedure for the digger, it wouldn't be much of a job to be up and running effectively in minutes, safely plus with minimal manual intervention. I'd hope if I could get it done to a very high standard, that it wouldn't really matter what the tractor was doing on site, the digger should be able to remain there like a weight block if necessary. With regard to mounts, the Track Frame would be easily plated/strengthened to accept suitable brackets, and the I have two ideas for the top link mount depending on what may work best, but absolutely not on the ROPS if that's what you perhaps wondered? I really don't do rough tackle, and it'll be no bodge job if I go for it. There's a local guy Andrew who would do a fantastic job for me on it, but if I really felt the need John Craig at JCC Engcon would produce something that looked like Valtra and Takeuchi had done a factory install. Obviously if I can turn up a very nice Versu or Hi Tech Twin Trac 'T' series (Not Direct) from a very good home under 6k hours, at right money ideal for a trip to Wilsons then I'd prefer that route, but nothings forthcoming as yet. Eddie.

Obviously the replies here have sharpened up my thought train on it a bit, but I'd got the main details worked out in my mind. I'd gone for the Takeuchi because of its ability to self load? What I had in mind was the brackets for the lift arms on the side of the track frame could be simply lined up by tracking into position, Blade behind, arm in front and lift machine very slightly. Expand the tracks, plus a wiggle with arm if required to square up and you should be spot on for the hook ends. Controls usually on the front to lift the arms a little and you've got it mounted with minimal effort. I have several places in mind for a top link mount and it shouldn't be too hard to sort. A grab bar setup with a side protection plate to ensure the tractor is well protected somewhere in the area a loader bracket would be should ensure plenty of sturdy universal mounting points. The roof would need to be detachable, and this is simple enough, plus could stow under what I think would be a key part, some sort of well fitting bikini cover to wrap around the base of the machine. It would take more than a second glance then to work out what it is? Lighting can easily be sorted to suit, and there's no reason it shouldn't take more than a few minutes to have a fully road legal mounting. Obviously a move to a different part of site could be done very quickly, without requiring the legalities. My thoughts were the same on its versatility versus a roofmount, and obviously you have to get onto the Tractor to move it, but the digger can cover a much greater area plus the big fact of being able to see into the hopper? The fact for me is Tom has exactly the setup I'm working towards, but I need a T series for my work. However I can hire in the meantime, and a Takeuchi TB016 is something I can always make full use of. If the setup does me 12 months I doubt I'd lose a penny on a well bought and looked after Takeuchi in that time? Eddie.

It's a really hard one, as I simply can't yet find exactly what I'm looking for in terms of a base Twin Trac Valtra for a Roofmount and I'd rather wait. I can make good use of a Takeuchi TB016 all year round and have a grab plus rotator perfect for one already. The Farmi chipper is hardly ever used because of no carrier tractor with crane, but carrying a mini on the front would give me a very flexible one man setup. The Takeuchi is perfect size to suit and has a very close to 90 degree offset that would allow the boom/dipper to stow nicely down the side of the tractor where a loader arm would be. It all sounds a bit mad, but it would provide a really handy unit with decent off road ability and much flexibility on site. The Valtra will monitor itself with it's Control Stop and the Farmi can now be retrofitted with Radio Remote so I can control the feed from the machine. One man could shift a fair bit around, plus load the chipper effectively under full view of the infeed. As we all know the little Takeuchi's are money in the bank and obviously I have plenty of other uses for one? I did think some sort of fitted cover around the bottom half of the machine to simply draw attention from the fact it was a digger was probably all that was needed to avoid too much attention. As for the rest I think it's perfect achievable in a very professional way, and if stopped would provoke some serious head scratching as to any possible problems, because at this point I don't see any? Eddie.

Thanks Bob, that's the sort of thing I'm looking for. So at 1.2 metres from the link ends it should be ok, but I would fit marker boards and lights anyway. Like I say it really should all be referenced from some point that is readily definable like the front axle centre point? The first point of call is a simple mock up by actually using a Transport box, buckrake or the like to track the machine onto and see how it would all sit. That will give a good base point, but with proper mountings the projection would be well reduced. Just out of interest I googled some of the current weight block/toolbox setups on the market, and to be honest what I have in mind is well within what's been marketed? Front Weights by philip watkins Eddie.

From the responses it seems to be pretty much a case of the usual Agricultural nobody really knows unless it all goes wrong! Then they will all search a round for a relevant book to throw at me! I just wanted to make it clear that I don't propose to merely sit a digger in a Transport Box on the front of a Valtra. I would have mountings properly fitted to the machine, along with a suitable bracket to firmly secure the arm/grab well within the width of the Tractor. Obviously it would be suitably lit/marked to be clearly visible for other road users. In terms of vision it would be at least as good as having a loader and bucket fitted to a standard tractor, probably much better in reality. The tractor would be carrying the chipper in it's role as a Forestry Tractor, and going to/from such a place of work. It could be argued as 'Haulage' but I'm fully entitled to do that anyway if I simply wanted to tow the Digger behind to site. In this instance, having it on the front would give me a well balanced unit that can access places with no hassle, and be up and running in minutes with a single operator. Where does it all end with the Haulage debate though? The Chainsaw behind the seat is being Hauled to site and work can't commence until it gets there! I already have a 500litre front linkage Diesel Bowser, and this is Hauling Fuel to site, but the operation needs it? It would again be well within the capability of the tractor in terms of weight, as a decent loader without anything in the bucket would be imposing more load I'd expect. Valtra rate the linkage to 5000kg, I wish to carry 1660kg close coupled. I really can't find any info on what is the maximum projection, and again this is up for debate, as where do you measure from? In my eyes the Tractor actually stops at it's furthest forward point which is the link ends, others may say the bonnet? If I were to use the link ends I would anticipate having no more than 1200mm projection which compared to some of the Mog/chipper combos is nothing, and I hoped some of those guys may know the limits they're trying to work within? It's a really difficult one, as it could all be professionally setup at little cost to be safe and hopefully comply with any regs if I can turn them up, and would provide a very cost effective solution for me. So many questions within a question really? Eddie.

It'll have about the same footprint as a link box Jon, and probably end up much less projection than a standard bucket fitted to a loader on an equivalent tractor, as the Valtra has a nice close coupled linkage. Just an idea, but could help me out for a while. Eddie.

Makes no odds if I say that I'm thinking along the lines of carrying a 1.66 tone Mini Digger on the front? Obviously close coupled straight onto the side of the track frame, with the arm offset 90 degrees and the grab secured on a mount between the front/rear wheels, sort of where a loader bracket would go. It will only project forward 1 metre from the link ends (similar to a transport box) and assuming the roof is removed from the canopy of the machine it will have an unobstructed view. Width wise, all will be well inside the tractor and the Farmi 260 with conveyor should balance it nicely on the rear? One way trip to VOSA office or not assuming perfectly legitimate use not in someone's driveway! Eddie.

I'd be fine on that score, I doubt Tractors have a front axle plate but I'd be looking at a couple of tonnes on the front, which should be well within a T series Valta's capability given a 5 tonne linkage fitted. Eddie.

It's a really hard thing to find actual guidance on? I've seen huge front mower setups, but these had additional lighting on stalks to keep things fairly legal looking? Obviously if I were farming I'd just stick all the roof working lights on and expect everyone else to jump out of the way! The other point is does it really have to be an implement? I assume not as long as it's used in the course of the operation? I'd have thought some of the Mog guys would know, and I've even heard of cameras fitted to aid pulling out at awkward places. The Valtra looks fantastic Tom, I bet it's transformed the job? Eddie.

I just wonder if anyone knows what the current regs are with regard to the front projection of anything carried on the front links of a Tractor/Mog? We obviously see some pretty special bits of kit sticking out from the front of Mogs and Tractors, often with lights obscured, but I've no idea of the actual rules for a little idea I have. Thanks. Eddie.

No issue to load up the Slew, it's beating it against something with a shock loading that will do the harm. A example would be knocking walls down by simply slewing quarter of a turn then sending the bucket into it sideways. Eddie.

I don't know about beautiful, but the client is delighted and that's what counts most. I did some ditches earlier in the year, a little more old school, no Engcon, just a rough looking but brilliant CAT 20 tonner and a 'V' bucket. This is work I really like doing, but boy will a V bucket show any creases up if you go wrong! Eddie.

Can you send me a picture or two of the site please Ste to see what it'll be tackling? I've had a fair old task doing some ditching to a specific profile on a site high up in the Staffordshire Moorlands. This site really is as wet as it comes, but this new Kubota really is fantastic on the soft stuff! There is 25% more track on the ground to my old one and it really does show when you travel the ground with hardly a mark. The Engcon makes this sort of work a one pass job, and minimises the need to move the machine, which again really helps to keep impact down to a minimum. Don't look too hard at the Ditching, as obviously dealing with clumps of Rush, Rocks and Clay doesn't make for a very pretty job, but it'll soon blend in nicely. Back to the woods soon, but thought I'd share a bit of what I also get up to. Eddie.

12v Volt Solar Panel Power Camper Motorhome Car Caravan Battery Trickle Charger | eBay Hardly a major hassle/investment? Eddie.

A lot of Diesel Bowsers are going down the small Solar Panel route to ensure the battery is always tip top when required. It may be worth a look into as I would think they're pretty inexpensive now and easy enough to wire in. Eddie.

It was exactly my thoughts having used the Stroke Processor that I can simply get it accurate enough by counting the strokes for my purposes. The Stroke Head has a very short, but extremely strong stroke action in comparison to the Processor. Hopefully I have something after xmas that should be the absolutely perfect testbed for the idea, and I'm certain the Kubota is more than up to it even if I'm not! Eddie.

Do you wish to keep the timber yourself Ste? Eddie.

Yes absolutely for just getting some cut to a reasonably consistent length for easier handling/stacking plus hopefully better to find a home for, but also to simply try to minimise men on saws for safety. If it does show a bit of promise, the Kubota will certainly get where many can't without making a mess, and Greg can easily forward it out with the Tracked Dumper setup to back it up. The basic shear has already taken a huge percentage of hand cutting away, especially in the really horrid stuff, and really can shift some work in a day. Eddie.

Thanks Stephen, you need as many strings to your bow as you can get these days! TCD, it was plumbed up for the Kesla Stroke Head from the start, but it's certainly not the normal setup?? I looked at the work I do and what I was aiming for, and like yourself know that you simply can't get near a roller head setup in terms of productivity, so never began to try. I did however learn what a step up the Stroke Processor was from nothing, and having learnt a huge amount from the experience decided to take things to the next level. The Kesla was purchased used through Wilson's, and I was truly delighted when I collected it, as it really is a nice unit. It was then sent up to John Craig at JCC Engcon to be incorporated into the Kubota build, but here's where it starts to differ from the norm? The Kubota is blessed with a very trick SVAB control unit for the Engcon, which in real terms is able to be expanded many many times adding more and more functions as you go. How John Craig managed it is beyond me, but in simple terms the Kesla is mounted via the Engcon EC-Oil quick hitch system including electrics. This means basically I can go from say the Engcon or FAE Mulching Head to a fully functioning Harvesting Head in around 15 seconds without leaving the cab! However it was always my intention not to have any form of measuring system, I simply don't want the complexity or have any need for the accuracy in my applications. This allows me to have the Stroke Head running through my Engcon Joysticks, via rollers and buttons in pretty much any order I want via the SVAB. It really is some setup John has done, as basically I've got all the main functions on fully proportional rollers, with buttons for the stroke and saw. We have proved it works perfectly and the Kubota throws it around as though it's not there, but I've simply not had time to finish everything off. By finish I mean having time to myself to practice enough to get consistent with it, and once I'm happy I'll get the Head fully gone through to make certain it's in A1 order. i have exactly the place coming up, so I'll let you know how I get on. The Nisula roller head has really caught my eye though! 325H Eddie.

Nothing wrong with a 50B, I worked alongside an Owner Operator on one at Macclesfield Bypass, it still had the piano levers, but he could play some tune on them! The gang he was with simply wouldn't have anyone else digging for them despite much more modern machinery available, and it held it's own no effort. Obviously a 3cx with extender will have a pretty fair height advantage though. Eddie.

It's a 3cx with extender, and the ability to get itself 3 ft off the ground before it's started? I'd have thought plenty for a Log Grab, it's not trying to lift chimney pots on! With regard to 180 degrees of working range, you don't see many roofmounts or forwarders working over the top of the cab or bonnets? Apart from stowing issues of a free swinging grab compared to a direct mount Selector Grab, I see no real reason myself not to give it a go? Eddie.

The question of a Log Grab with rotator on a 3cx is one I've never considered, but the extender will throw in a different dimension? My thoughts are assuming you are going for what would be a free swinging grab on a link with rotator, possibly picked up by a quick hitch mount if fitted? I would tap into the bucket ram circuit at the top of the dipper, with the usual 'T's and taps to divert it to the grab, thus giving you flow you require via a nicely controllable function which is obviously the lever action that would normally control the bucket. To split this circuit you will need a 12volt 6 way diverter valve, and it's really a case of getting the pipework well routed to make life easy and help prevent damage. The 6 way can be mounted either on the dipper or the grab mounting bracket depending on what works best, but obviously from the location of the diverter valve you're going to have 4 pipes to route down to the rotator. To operate your 12volt diverter valve (depending on what 3cx you have) you can fit an extra horn button into the other lever top to give you the momentary changeover from Grab to Rotate you will require. Once mastered it should work fairly seamlessly and give you a nice fairly proportional control. I would go this route instead of into the extender circuit, as you will greatly benefit from the extender whilst using the grab. With the very latest machines JCB have finally woke up to people needing to power attachments, and more circuits are now available. There is a video here of the 5cx Wastemaster in action, which is a real swiss army knife! The points of interest are routings of auxiliary hoses on the extending dipper, plus you will see it's now possible to have a fully functioning Selector Grab on the Extending dipper, which combined with the reach/power of a Backhoe would be a handy bit of kit? It would be good to see how you get on. Eddie,

Most of the extra weight is in the right place low down, and the extra undercarriage width/length makes it rock solid at full capacity. The extra length of track is really showing in soft terrain, as the shorter tracks of the previous machine would sink idler end first when things got really bad, but this machine stays level and firm. It was actually tracking out marks made by the Tracked Dumper, and that would normally just have the edge over the excavator in floatation terms due to it's tracks ability to mould to the terrain. As for turning, you can spin it on the spot if you needed to no issues, but obviously on most of my work it's the turning that makes the impact, so you tend to do it in several long moves to reduce damage. Eddie.

It's never been weighed yet but I'd suspect something like 9.5 tonne all up with Engcon Tiltrotator fitted? I think there's quite a few shots of it through this thread, but here's a few of it with different attachments. Eddie.

I like the Bombproof Takeuchi TB016 in Canopy form myself, as I prefer the extra vision in the tight places you find yourself. I had to give one a flying lesson today with the Kubota! Not bad for an 8 tonner, it would handle it easy at full stretch even over the side with the blade up! Eddie.