LGP Eddie

Those Hyundai are some bits of kit Stephen! They were converted by John Craig at Jcc Engcon who did all the mods to my Kubota, but the sheer scale of the Hyundai mods are something else! I'm not exactly certain but they were widened to fit something like 1600mm wide pads, plus around 4 metres extra of track length on the ground! As for myself, absolute yes to looking at a Menzi, but it'll have to be this one when it finally comes out! The prospect of something like this for myself is of real interest, but as with all kit, the real challenge will be trying to get a return on something like this. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Baa_zifNiIw]Der neue Menzi Master M510&M515 - YouTube[/ame] Eddie.

CAT really seems to be serving you well Stephen. The Wheeled version of the Menzi is certainly not for my applications, it wouldn't get anywhere near a lot of the places I have to go. Eddie.

Just a few images of this weeks task. Basically we have the incredible Menzi Muck Walking Excavator with us to do the areas of Rhodie clearance the Long Reach Excavator and Mulcher was unable to reach on our previous visit. With this being a very sensitive site and for obvious safety reasons the Menzi is utilising it's safety winch, which is in turn anchored to a 25 tonne zero tailswing Excavator fitted with rubber block track pads that is sitting on the access road. The system is working really well, and the winch really helps the Menzi to travel over the site with minimum impact, as it simply drives instead of pushing/pulling itself along. The performance of the Menzi on the Mulcher has to be seen to be believed! It simply never slows down no matter what, and the production rate is far higher than you would believe possible from this size of carrier. As you can see it's an absolutely horrid crop of Rhodie, and I'd hate to even think how long it would take to deal with by hand! Not a bad spot to be working either! Hopefully I'll get some decent video. Eddie.

That's just the porn I'm looking for! I couldn't agree more in the need for spot on kit and the simple fact you'll only get out what you put in so to speak? The number of arguments I've had with idiots who think you can put topsoil in a Concrete Crusher and get Type 1 stone out the other side is untrue, and it's pretty much the same with chippers? But all things being equal, brand new machines with perfect feedstock etc etc, which make would bang out the best product most consistently I wonder? Eddie.

Yes absolutely, 4.5 tonne is a nightmare weight, as it's well out of a 7.5 tonner capability, and then you may as well make one around 6 tonne with a 90+hp engine that could run things like Mulchers? Eddie.

I was just wondering what is available out there in the form of Tracked chippers that can produce an actual screened Biomass Chip straight at the coal face so to speak? I believe a few Heizo's have made it onto Tracks and the Jenz do the Tiger range? Is anyone running anything like this, or actually hired one in? The main thing people now talk about is chip quality, and everyone claims their chipper to have the best? The Bandit 18svc was putting out some lovely looking chip at the APF, what's the perceived best chipper out there, as quite a few knock the Heizo on this, but their popularity with users would indicate otherwise? Eddie.

This could really open up a few avenues for some? Eddie.

It all depends on what the Client actually wants? I do an awful lot of Rhodie, and trust me no two jobs are the same in terms of what solutions they want for the site? My Farmi 260 HFC with the steel infeed in conveyor was bought especially with Rhodie in mind, as it greatly aids the feeding process, and we find it a very easy material to chip. Larger projects have seen a fantastic Roofmount Valtra and big Jenz setup with large infeed conveyor come in, that can eat serious amounts of Rhodie, but you need to pile up a vast amount before making the call to get him in. You're all thinking what about the roots? Well, pulled out and stacked to air dry there is virtually any regrowth, plus the piles can easily be treated, or on other projects Clients actually wish to have the Rhodie return on their terms and manage it. The Zago Ecogreen Shredder is the Rhodie king if you can get one in, but finding one is no easy task, and the operator is the key to them. I'd just say get the biggest in you can, and if you can get some form of feed conveyor it really does help. Mulching is a different solution altogether, and I'd credit you with knowing if that was an option you'd have already gone with it. Eddie.

Could do someone thinking along these lines? Renault Kangoo 1.9 DCi 4x4 Van 63136 Miles | eBay Eddie.

Yes it was Chartley Moss, and whilst no different in a lot of ways, the simple fact it is fully understood what is under that crust, and it's approx 30 metres of water! I've been on plenty of Moorland/Wetland sites but nothing comes close to this for waves! There has been some good advice on here, and I fully agree, reach for the brash wherever possible, Bog Mats on the really high trafficked points, lighter LGP kit if possible and make certain you have your recovery plan well worked out in advance. Operators who aren't too proud to say I'm down a bit can you give me a a hand a minute, instead of I'm completely bogged and it's a day lost. With regard to the site in the video, we were not allowed to leave any timber/brash on site, or have it push into the ground at all. We actually used the decent brash and then placed Bog Mats over it to travel on. It was an interesting but extremely sensitive site, and we used a combination of many methods mentioned here to get the job done. We rolled the dice a bit and just as suggested here previously waited for the longer days and little better weather. There is a video of the Tracked Dumper running off the site, this section is over a band of gravel, so pretty good going, but you will see the main run is Bog Matted like a railway track, as Tracked Dumpers will run easily on mats this way, and some of the well used Brash Mat, that was completely removed leaving an undisturbed site. This area of the site had seen about 20 days use at this point, and one all removed there was absolutely minimal impact. Nothing special at all, but some don't get to work in these places and the odd pic/video livens up the thread a bit. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpS_cZtx01M]KUBOTA TRACKED DUMPER FORWARDING FROM PEAT BOG - YouTube[/ame] Eddie.

This is taken on that actual site I bet, we cleared a fair chunk of it and it was as scary as it gets! We used a combination of bog mats and brash mat, plus LGP kit to get everything off safely. No joke if you were operating the kit hard, you could see the cutters and trees going up and down like they were in a wave machine! [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2QtWUyZCgw]MOORLANDS SPECIALIST EXCAVATIONS WOBBLY BOG!! - YouTube[/ame] Eddie.

Has anyone looked into simply putting a Hydraulic Motor onto the PTO for front use and power it through the spools. Motors are available to fit straight onto the shaft, and I believe a couple of the Concrete Pan Mixer companies offer pretty powerful ones to allow the mixers to be used on telehandlers and loaders? It may be a way to get the power and control in one go? Eddie.

I pondered exactly the same question, and kept coming back to one of them Skoda Yeti's? I think they could be converted into what would be a brilliant comfortable/economical/reliable van for the commute that would be pretty capable enough to access the average tracks on sites. I'm certain there's room to throw enough tools/oils/spares etc for a shift. They are more common now so I assume a bit more affordable used, and they certainly get great reviews. 4 winter tyres on and they would certainly be ideal for the winter months? Such a lack of small 4wd Vans or Pickups now? Bring back the old Subaru Pickup, what a tool, I loved mine and it won me plenty of bets on sites as to where it would go! Eddie.

I've got a 300TDi 130 that we keep talking about making into a site runabout by putting some of the 31x15.5x15 floatation tyres on, but they're pretty small in diameter. My eyes nearly popped out when I saw this at Whithams! A bit of searching about and they're available used, plus making up some wider 16" rims not impossible? Would need a bit of arch trimming! 1 x Michelin XML 325/85 R16 Tyre, Complete with 8 Stud Aluminium Rim, #70189 - MOD Sales, Military Vehicles & Used Ex MOD Land Rovers for Sale Eddie.

Just out of interest for those talking about Remoulds, I never ran my 300TDi 90 on anything else? The tyres I used were Kingpin Tracker 2 in a really handy 245/70x16 size that suited the 90 well. This vehicle was my daily drive, including a lot of commuting 120 miles each way Oxfordshire for quite a long spell. I actually ended up putting 3 sets on in total with approx 35k miles from each set, without any issues whatsoever. Really surprisingly good off road, and great in the snow too. If I were running a SWB Series Landrover these would be perfect? 245/70R16 107P Kingpin Technic Tracker Tyres order online from Tyres Direct Eddie.

I've just taken my standard Continental Cross Contact AT off the Defender at 64K and still legal, plus never rotated with the spare which was unused. I've put Bf Muds on and they have transformed it off road obviously, with hardly anything noticeable on it. I may just back off a bit more on the odd wet corner as yet, but they've certainly given me no scares, plus I've just sat down from a 270 mile journey back from Cornwall, and they seem perfect at Defender motorway speeds. I'd say for me, if I were to get another Defender on standard Continental AT's, I'd just get another set of rims and put Bf Muds on come October and drop them off in spring. I'd think between the two sets it would be covering pretty much all seasons and should work out pretty cost effective over the lifetime? Copper ST Maxx or STT were my second choice, but the local place come up close to mail order price on the Bf's so I went that way. Eddie.

I have no issue with whatever tyres people run or why, but I'd rather hear practical experiences of how they perform/handle, than a veiled pop at people who decide to choose the Bf option. The Bf's have nothing to prove to anyone in my experience, and if others match or exceed them they are also very good tyres. Who give a toss if there's writing on the side or not when you're trying to drag your Ifor across a wet field? I was given the option of lettering in or out on my Bf Mud terrains. Eddie.

What is it with Coopers, don't people want to pay the extra to get Bf Goodrich? Each to their own I think? Eddie.

No need whatsoever for the CPCS card to operate a machine. That is the simple truth, the reality is far from it? Basically as with any machinery the worst case scenario is when it all goes badly wrong, and you plus the person engaging your services would be tasked in proving you had adequate training and were competent to operate the machine. How anyone wishes to do this is up to them? You could call upon person after person to vouch and provide evidence of previous work etc, until they were satisfied, or you could simply reach for your CPCS card with the correct category for the machine, job done? Anything in between is really all down to where you are working and what their policy is? Insurance may play a part in insisting that a particular type of training is held also. The other forms can be other mainstream schemes like NPORS or FMOC, but In House training from a reputable trainer is perfectly acceptable if the person engaging you is happy to accept that. Always get backed by a reputable training provider, as these will have to prove their competence to train plus evidence they undertook yours. Just out of interest the CPCS cartel stronghold has recently been broken with all major contractors agreeing to accept NPORS scheme cards on their sites as equal to CPCS. This should finally bring a little competition to the marketplace and end the conveyor belt of price hikes and changes to keep trainers in work. If you're going the whole hog I'd advise CPCS still, but nothing wrong with a decent training provider doing you in house at a huge cost saving. Eddie.

This has been covered quite a few times and there is pretty much a 50/50 split as to which way you do it? No Right or Wrong in my eyes, as some prefer the extra control available through the bucket circuit to be utilised for the rotate which can be fierce, and utilise the pedal for the grab. The more logical in my opinion is the grab on the bucket circuit, and to utilise a two way hammer/shear circuit for the rotate, but again just my preference. It's all pretty straightforward, you just need to ensure the Hammer circuit is in fact two way, or you could run into additional hassles. These will change the game a bit for a few, they are reasonably cheap adjustable flow valves that will allow setups to be fine tuned to give very precise control. from the reports they are very good and at the price worth a look? FLOW CONTROL VALVES WITHOUT CHECK As for rotate power, you should have no power issues whatsoever for what you're describing? Eddie.

Lee, i know exactly where you're coming from, it's just with a step back and rethink you could be into a nice KX161-3 for pretty much the same money, and she'll be almost ready to go? The kx161-3 is totally bombproof and would in reality perform just as well as the Hitachi you have on the average tree work. No issues whatsoever with the unit you have bought, and someone who has more applications demanding the parallel offset would be well happy to take it off you. You're spot on about targeting trustworthy local guys who simply don't want the hassle of opening accounts etc for a simple day or two's hire, but just watch the insurance side and everyone is clear who's paying what from the outset. The very best of luck with it all and you can always PM me if you want any advice. Eddie.

Being brutally honest Lee, I'd tell you to just take a little step back and have a realistic look at the carrier unit you have chosen? That is a very tidy example you have there, and no doubt the fact it has the zero swing is a big attraction for the type of applications you are talking about. However the parallel offset boom, really is quite specialist, and of absolutely no value in the environment you are considering targeting the machine at. This boom will give reduced reach and lift capacity, combined with an awkward dipper ram that will be vulnerable. Setting up of any auxiliary pipework properly is an expensive job, but having to configure around the parallel boom will make it even harder, plus if you really want to go the Mulcher route, that will involve even more pipework for the case drain. Straightforward advice is let her go, she's a tidy example and you'll not struggle to move it I'm certain? For a toe into this job you need to be thinking along the lines of the tidiest lowest houred Kubota KX161-3 or if you want the bigger one get a KX080-3 that you can afford? Others will advise their favoured manufacturers and I have plenty of other candidates myself, but I'll just add why the Kubota. Basically if you get the ones with the two double acting circuits, one of which is already proportional, then you are pretty much good to go? Adding a case drain is easy on them too especially on the KX080-3 where pretty much a factory looking install is possible at minimal cost. The Kubota's are very strong, well proven, popular with operators, very reliable, and have good residual value. For your attachments, try to skip all the Grapples and cut straight to the Selector Grab. Once tried people never look back, and this will immediately give the machine a real value to people on projects. Grapples are fine in some situations, but the comparison to being able to have a full range of movements plus rotate is night and day. The selector grab will get you straight up and running into the job. Stephen Blair is a perfect example on this thread of buying a well setup carrier then Selector Grab from the off, and look at the work he is achieving. Tree Shears are another subject altogether, and you'd need to tell me more of your applications for my opinion on them? Mulchers are another game altogether? Some just go down the converted Hedgecutter Flail head route, but to get into a full Mulching Setup is going to cost, and not something to be sending out just to anyone. Guarding is simple enough, it just depends on what degree you wish to take it? My own Kubota would come under pretty much bombproof with full guarding plus all the belly plates thickened and a Marguard Windscreen for the Mulcher or Harvesting Head. I'd suggest a very tidy cab frame with top guard and front screen could be easily achievable, and I know of a few companies who would be ideal for this. As for getting qualified, you really need to get yourself a CPCS card to operate the machine. Some may say other schemes but the CPCS is the one almost universally accepted, and I really can't see you being on Forestry Commission sites to require FMOC training. Cost of this will depend mostly on your previous experience. Plenty of training places to attend, we have a great one down in the Staffordshire Moorlands I can put you in touch with, but a day out to see my Kubota and try all the attachments you're thinking of may be just as valuable to add to your training. Obviously this is all just my opinion, but I do think you can save yourself an awful lot of time and hassle in machine preparation, by simply buying well, then having it go pretty much straight to work able to hopefully meet or exceed your clients expectations. Eddie.

I've asked the question, so hopefully we'll get a link. Eddie.

I'm certain you could get a very cost effective solution with a Farma crane? They do a huge range at a decent price and I would be confident they would get the job done. A TP isn't going to be needing a crane in the full scale biomass chipper league? Eddie.

This exact subject came up on the Construction Equipment Forum, and the guys there went for some cow mats working out at approx £30 each. From the look of it they were pretty flexible, easy to handle and hard wearing. The main consensus was they would last and last unlike the more traditional plywood route. There were some images of a 3 tonne Excavator working on a lawn and they seem to be working well? I can try and to find out exactly which supplier they were using if anyone is interested. Eddie.