LGP Eddie

What a great bit of kit, and you seem to have more than got the measure of Operating it. Just out of interest does the grab have a float position on the slew for when you're skidding and then needing to turn, or do you just adjust the slew manually. It looks a serious minimal impact, time and labour saving tool. Eddie.

Good question, I don't have the answer why not, but it doesn't go back in particular due to the geometry? They need to keep forward reach to tip over skip sides in their normal role. Eddie.

This just got updated on the Ce Forum but is so relevant here I thought it worth sharing? Fair play the guy who did the original brilliant conversion has run with it and ironed out the creases plus added a bit more. Basically he was unhappy with the tilt available using the linkage system, plus the additional height that it added. He's now done the most simple tweaks to utilise the standard Tip ram brought to face forward, plus added a log beak to finish her off. He's utilising a simple lever changeover valve from beak to tilt, but this could be switched out to 12v diverter with no issues to control it all from the seat. His take on it is 600KG no issues without any additional rear weight, and a few minutes back to dumper. Plenty on here would make use of one I'm certain, and they're now creeping down to 3.5k for nice ones, with pretty much zero running costs being so tried and tested now. Eddie.

Tidy setup there. Do you know John Roboplant from the CE Forum? Eddie.

My Osma was a TE 120Cl and was really based on the need to mow Rushes and Heather where others were struggling. It did prove to be extremely versatile, coping well with pretty much anything thrown at it, but still fine enough to be able to trim a hedge to a pretty good standard. Try doing a hedge with a fixed tooth FAE and you would have to mulch it into the floor out of embarrassment, as it will just eat it! The main disadvantage was the lack of an opening door to aid getting material like Rhodies into it, but the facility was there minus the rams. I used to fix the door open for such material and it was very effective. The rear roller was never really too much of an issue and was perfect for getting a nice finish on things like Rushes, Heather, Grass and Brambles. I eventually sold it to a local client who has his own Kubota KX080-3, and then sat down with him and explained the few mods I had planned to do on it. He was willing to get them done as he could see the advantages, so the Osma was duly fitted with rams for the hydraulic door, plus a few bits of strengthening in vital areas. This has transformed the machine, and the Kubota thanks to it's dual line proportional control, operates the flail and doors perfectly. There is an old video of mine here, not the best as it was about the second day I'd used it, but you"ll get the idea you wouldn't want to do it by hand! [ame] [/ame] The Osama website is a nightmare, but here's the spec sheet. http://www.osmasnc.com/schedepdf/TE_CL___FLAIL_MOWERS_FOR_GRASS_AND_BRANCHES_FOR_MIDI_EXCAVATORS.pdf This is a much heavier option that will have a full Forestry type rotor with pockets, but still swinging hammer. You will lose a little cut width, but she would be powerful and tackle some decent size material. This also has the hydraulic door fitted as standard. Machinery for agriculture and special machines for land reclamation I managed to get some images of the extra mods done to the Osma after selling it. We chose to fit two door rams to get better closure, plus a guard for the motor. The door received some extra strengthening ribs, plus additional skids approx 2" wide were bolted each side where it contacts the ground to avoid digging in on softer ground. This is really all it needed to make it a fantastic bombproof all rounder. The British Construction Equipment Forum The British Construction Equipment Forum The British Construction Equipment Forum The British Construction Equipment Forum If you need any advice let me know, and I can tell you the tidy way to fit a case drain to a KX080-3 with little expense. Eddie.

Gregor can be hard to contact, but generally as he's out on site doing the install himself, as he really does a quality job. The FAE is excellent, but you pay for it obviously. I had great service from my Exac-One Osma swinging Hammer, and it did a great job on everything from grass to Birch up to approx 12" if you were steady? It literally hoovered up bramble, you can see it sucking it in! Yes I eventually put it out of balance, and it was entirely my fault for being too greedy, as is the case with these, all too easy to keep going for bigger stuff. The FAE is several gears up in performance! You have a great carrier in the Kubota, and there is plenty of reasonably priced options now if it's not for front line use. A trip to Lamma next week would probably have a few companies there with such options at show prices? Eddie.

Totally upstaged now Sean has arrived with the Menzi!! Not Digger related but a bit of Tractor porn? I have a similar setup with the Engcon EC-Oil which connects all my digger attachments from the cab, but this is really trick? [ame] [/ame] Eddie.

Looks a tidy enough solution to something many have probably thought of doing themselves? [ame] [/ame] Eddie.

Spotted these in the latest Land Rover Owner mag, and did a bit of research. It seem seems they may be available up for up to 13mm rope on the manufacturers site, but these are only for 10mm, so perhaps worth a call to see if they can get larger sizes? They are super light being all alloy construction too. They have a very high rating at 17,500kg which should tick all the boxes for many. Snatch Block Lighweight Aluminium Eddie.

More truth in this 'Urban Myth' than many people would give it credit for? I had a demo of a Komatsu 118mr (11 tonner) direct from a large hire company when looking to replace the Kubota. From the word go it was obvious something just wasn't right, and my old Kubota would make a fool of it. It showed all the traits of having the pressures altered to give it an easy life. I asked for a factory fresh demo machine or even just to try one in their yard, but Komatsu were surprised to hear what I was saying and did nothing to satisfy my suspicions. Upon a bit of asking about, I was assured from a number of very reliable sources it goes on in many large fleets, with a few reasons behind it all. The obvious one is to give the machine an easier life, but one example was if they can make the machines say 15% less efficient, then that's 15% more the customer would need to hire it? I do know the old school way of just altering the throttle cable not to give full travel for maximum revs goes on, and is easily checked. With regard to the actual machine to look for within your budget, it would be a really hard choice, as your spec includes a lot in reality that will be hard pressed to come together in one actual machine? Steel Tracks are rare, but even rarer with a proper zero swing machine? A full setup of Auxiliary Hydraulics is something that some manufacturers still struggle with now? Neuson are exceptional in what they can offer (3 dual acting auxiliary plus case drain!), Kubota have done it as standard for an age now, but Volvo, Komatsu, Cat, Case and Takeuchi can all be suitably specced or equipped from new, but very rare on used machines. Zero tail can be a myth? Check to see that the machine hasn't just actually been made a good chunk wider in the track frame to compensate for the lack of tailswing, and can end up being pretty much the same width in reality. Models can have very cramped cabs with doors you need to put butter on to get in, plus curved windows/frames that are ultra expensive to repair. You make a good point that is in the Plant Operator world just as contentious as the Stihl/Husky debate, in terms of Fixed or Swing Boom? The jury will be out forever on this, but here's my own take. Swing Booms are not to be feared if properly maintained as they are more than strong enough for the job. You gain extra reach, plus a lot more ability to work around obstacles and obviously dig trenches etc offset to the tracks. The machine will obviously be slightly less stable and some perceive to have less lifting power, but I'm not totally convinced by this myself. The big drawback will come possibly in machines at around the age/hours you'll be looking in that you can get a lot of visual play there. Note the word "visual", in that when you stand and look you will always see movement, but this doesn't necessarily translate into anything really perceptible when operating? All machines have some visual movement, but it doesn't really impact operation unless you're a really ham fisted operator, or it's obviously really gone past it. To repair the Kingpost will require specialist Line Boring and will be a reasonably costly operation. I'm fairly certain that Kubota still remain the only ones who properly bush theirs making it a simple repair. A fixed boom will take away a chunk of reach, but obviously provide a very balanced machine, that will lift/carry more in some situations. The fixed boom is obviously simpler to maintain, but it will need maintenance, as the pin/bush here won't last forever too. I'd take a swing boom all day long, and steer clear of the Takeuchi fancy 'FR' arrangement unless you really need it, as this has a lot of pivot points to wear. If you could possibly up the budget a little it will open a fair few doors for you? Kubota KX080-3 came in an original Dash 3 version, but these are best avoided for the later Alpha version which rightly is much sought after and commands top money. The Hitachi ZX85US-3 is will probably suit you very well and is a great bit of kit plus available in both Boom versions. It probably won't have two auxiliary circuits though. The Volvo ECR88 is a slightly Marmite machine, but plenty have great success with Volvo kit, and you may just drop on one with the Auxiliaries fitted. The Takeuchi is out, unless you want the FR version and I wouldn't personally, but if you have tight jobs there's no substitute for it. CAT may provide the solution in the 308c and nothing much wrong with these, plus both Boom versions available. It's really just a case of getting out there and trying yourself, plus taking into account who's local that can back you up well. If you find a few machines you narrow it down to then you can gain more opinions on them specifically. A few out there? Proctor Plant Sales :: Plant & Equipment Volvo ECR88 PLUS Engcon scotland united kingdom Midi excavators 7t - 12t, Price: £32,500, Year of manufacture: 2010 - Mascus UK HITACHI ZAXIS 85 USBLC-3 - Woodbridge Plant Ltd Eddie.

I'll probably take advantage of the deals myself to add a couple of Saws but not for my own personal use. These will be straightforward spares for others to use, as it's cheaper than downtime. The first will 100% be the 560XPG as it's ended up the weapon of choice for anyone who does any cutting for me. They certainly haven't been without issues and for the first two weeks I honestly thought Greg was going to do a Fawlty Towers with his and beat it with a branch! However as with everyones I know, they all have their own setup's, mods, fuels, procedures for starting etc, but they all seem universally of the opinion that they are now delighted with them and wouldn't be looking for anything else. I really haven't heard any love in particular for the 550, but I did consider it as it's £100 less for what is in reality a spare saw. However getting a 560, most are used to them and can put their own setups straight on and go, was my reasoning? I'm also hoping to take a 595xp, and this certainly isn't a universally popular choice? However in my opinion it's a pretty old school powerful lump that can come out once in a while to tackle something that needs a bigger bar and a bit more grunt, plus if someone has to put a shorter bar on it and finish the day off because their own is down it wouldn't be the end of the world. The other choice was the 590xp, but I just think the 595 would be a stonger simpler bit of kit that could take a wider range of bars. Not my thing, I just go on what I observe from the others, and what's working for them? Eddie.

I can only find specs at present on the new generation 'T' series that has 5500kg front axle loading. I would expect to come in under that figure, especially with the Farmi on the rear to counterbalance it. Gross is 13500kg so plenty to spare there too I'd expect. Haulage or not I'm fully entitled to do it for Forestry, I'm not turning up roadside or someone's driveway with such a setup. Trailers just don't cut it for me, nightmare to drag behind with the Farmi and a load of hassle on site. Yes I simply need a Roofmount and I'm prepared to wait as I only want to go through having one built once I have a carrier worthy of the outlay. Just because nobody has yet done it doesn't really cut it with me. Where would I be with machines if I simply took what's available? The Kubota's have been proof enough of kit modified to work in my applications with outstanding results. Some plough their own furrows and are big enough to stick their neck out a bit, plus also their hands up when it didn't work out. I haven't even tried it yet, it may not look right when mocked up, but at this point it on paper at least could come in within everything I currently know to be a requirement, and who knows it may end up the poor man's roofmount setup? Eddie.

The simple fact is I know what I want it to achieve in my applications and that may not be the same for everyone? I do pretty much know what works and what doesn't and even a 1.5 tonner will give an average Roofmount a run for it's money in terms of versatility, as both certainly have their strengths and weaknesses. The question really was can I carry a Mini Digger on the front of a Forestry Tractor legally to load a mounted chipper on site? I really think one certain answer is for what it would cost it would be worth a try, and the definitive answer is I think nobody really knows until someone has a go? I think if done very professionally with all known regs covered, being stopped would be quite head scratcher for those concerned. It may end up the perfect setup for me or it may end up in six pages on here telling you how far VOSA bent me over! I bet more than a few on here have looked twice at a Tractor front linkage by now though! 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.