LGP Eddie

The biggest myth ever in striking services is 'Minimum Depth'? I put Don Burr HGV trailer factory off just before Xmas about 10 years ago to the tune of 47k!! (Luckily just Operating a Rubber Duck on hire) The HV cable was only 6" below the surface and completely unmarked, but their first argument is always the ground has been reduced after their installation? Since the advent of moles it really is a lottery regarding both the depth and line of any service installed this way. I've not seen a plastic pipe yet traced with a CAT, but it can be done with a piece of equipment that introduces a sound wave into the pipe that is traced with specialist equipment. I strongly suggest anyone undertaking even a modest size project look into having something like a 'Sumo Survey' done. These are brilliant and will use whatever means possible including ground penetrating radar to trace all cables/pipes etc on a site plus clearly mark them in differing markers etc. This may cost a little, but when the worst happens the Insurance company will want to know what measures you took to avoid services and this will be proof that you took reasonable precautions in the first instance. Underground, Utility Mapping, Ground Penetrating Radar, Detection As for anyone deciding to play around near Oil/Gas pipelines, don't be surprised when the Helicopter touches down in the field and promptly ceases all operations. You wouldn't even want the bill for putting a scratch on the outer wrap of one of these!

A bit of real bad luck there, looks like the classic shoddy installation with the mole and absolutely no chance unless you had dug trial holes around the stump first. For a gas service it should in theory be 450mm of cover with sand and marker tape, but unless it's open cut trench installation there's no way that can happen. You have done the correct thing by gaining as much evidence as you can, and in reality you should get away at around the £250 mark I'd expect after appealing. I have usually got away without any charge by doing a little legwork on site for them and actually digging in a new service to the correct depth after digging a few more trial holes to show how poor the installation currently is. Obviously easy with a mini digger on site to get a trench out to the correct depth and install the service properly, which can end up as a result all round. Most Gangs are usually decent lads who'll help you out if you're decent enough with them. I strongly suggest you consider getting some terms/conditions for customers to sign as this can easily be passed on to their Insurance if you are just hired to provide the service at an hour/day rate. Hard to argue if you gave an all inclusive price for the work, as it then in reality becomes your job and risk. You'll not find plastic pipes with a CAT, but in some instances the marker tape (if installed) has a piece of wire running along it that a signal generator can be attached to. This signal can then be traced by to CAT tool allowing the pipe route to be traced. A lot of people panic when they hit one, but just do the same as you would for a water service and kink it back on itself (sometimes a couple of kinks is required) before taping it up which usually stops the flow. Never be tempted by any bodge repairs and trust me I've seen plenty from water fittings to compressor hose with jubilee clips!

A Daewoo should be ideal and I do know the latest Doosan offerings can be tricked up to provide some serious power/flow to heads. They would be the first I looked into if I were ever to move up the weight range. Eddie.

You don't actually need any tickets to operate machinery on site, regardless of all this 'got to have a CPCS' that is banded about? The basic fact is you will need to be able to prove competence should any incident occur, and a very simple way of doing this is producing your CPCS card to show evidence of training/competence. However you can have evidence of training provided by any suitable organisation, as it will be them called to provide their credentials again should the worst happen. So a 'Mickey Mouse Training Ticket' would be perfectly adequate provided the said 'Mickey Mouse' is a genuine training provider who can prove their own competence to train. Many construction/plant hire companies go this cheaper route, using 'In House' training provided by a suitable training provider (most are usually CPCS trainers anyway) without all the hoops required for a full CPCS. However here's the big catch, many big companies pay levy to the CSCS scheme and insist on any operatives on their sites having the cards, as this is the scheme they recognise and no others. This can be given extra weight by their own Insurance companies insisting plant operators must carry a CPCS card before operating any plant on site. Hence it almost becoming the 'Law'? My advice would be to gain a basic CSCS card to prove evidence of basic safety training and keep well away from the CPCS scheme. Gain yourself the FMOC units and any site agent worthy of the name will see you have more than enough evidence to prove your competence should the need arise in a much better way than CPCS Tractor and Lorry Loader Crane units lumped together. CPCS scheme is a straightforward rip off scheme that moves the goalposts every couple of years to send everyone back around the system while they collect the money and keep themselves in jobs. Until someone comes up with a card that proves experience or actual ability, you never know if the plant operator you just hired is top of his game or just passed a couple of months ago after digging a few holes in a training ground. Eddie.

A lot depends on what you're looking to spend on a Mulching Head, and what type you're actually looking for? Fixed Tooth or Swinging Hammers? Having now had an FAE I'll not be looking elsewhere, I did look into the Dennis Cimaf heads but there's just no way the cost could be justified for my applications. If I was out to build a purpose made Excavator based Mulching Unit then I'd certainly have to look into the Cimaf head more, but for a cost/performance balance plus great service/backup then look at the FAE. You need to speak to Gregor McArthur at McArthur Forest Services, as he's the importer plus has great knowledge of what setups work best according to the carrier machine. If you're just dipping a toe in the water, Andrew at Excac One will supply you with an Osma unit and I've been delighted how my own has performed for the price. What base machine are you looking to fit a head to? Eddie.

We do a fair amount of this sort of work and have completely ditched burning now for various reasons unless very small scale. We have achieved great results with a Zago Ecogreen shredder, which is able to self load and also traverse a reasonable amount off road to access sites. Something to factor is the large twin axle units are approx 12 tonne and a fair lump which obviously can't be expected to be dragged off reasonably firm going. With a good operator the output is very impressive, plus they actually like a bit of soil contamination to help things through. The supplier we used has moved his on and I would probably go to the importer King Feeders direct if I needed to source one now. Perhaps worth a call to see if there is one running in your area as most will have been supplied by them even secondhand. As for Brambles, they are a Flails best friend and simply hoover up and dissolve? It never ceases to amaze me how little evidence is left of vast crops of Brambles after a pass with a flail head. I wish I was closer as I'd have been happy to assist, the new FAE head on my 8 tonne LGP Kubota is performing brilliantly so far. It would have coped pretty well in many of the conditions you describe. Eddie.

It looked a real tidy setup when we were down there Joy, and I'm pleased you made all the improvements as we were delighted to take your old towed site cabin off your hands. It's had a bit of a check over and getting new lights on tomorrow ready for it's first site outing, should be really welcome if this cold spell comes in. Eddie.

Woodmad is there any chance of a few more pics of the lovely Valtra/Kronos/Heizohack setup? An idea of cost for the crane would be very useful. I would love to upgrade to a Heizohack, but I did think that Kesla from Robert McTurk looks absolutely awesome. It did cross my mind that a reasonable size excavator could be carried over them rear axles with a few mods as they seem to sit well out back, and do away with the need for the crane for my applications. Lots of great kit coming out on this thread. Eddie.

Ramps! Sorry couldn't resist! It's part of the side mount Flail setup I use, which is still work in progress but coming together now. The same guy who made the 3 point linkage mast for the tracked dumper is doing the mods as we go along, and he made a lovely job of the chute which only had a splash of primer as we wanted it badly. Another bit of his work was some winch anchors for a 110 Defender?

N121 looks great and I really need to have one for a little while to compare? However the N111e has arrived and what a head scratcher this thing is? I've driven some things in my time but how on earth they get so much torque from this engine at so little revs is ridiculous? I took it for a blast around the Staffordshire Moorlands with low loader in tow and it simply astounded me at how it pulls on the hills at such low revs. I'd honestly have changed down ages before, but the Hi Shift on Auto will let it go down to 1500rpm before making a change. It indicates 43k on the flat at 2000rpm and as soon as you hit a decent hill you get this strange feeling? The revs don't go up but the power does? It's a bit like someone has just attached a winch rope to the front and it just keeps pulling. It's night and day over the N101, with the Hi Shift plus Cab Suspension really making a difference. The lighting package is worthy of much praise, with extra work lights and even lights on the steps and hitch! The cab is littered with the usual array of bewildering switches for all those Farming functions, but I seemed to manage to find what I needed easy enough. The Handbrake on the Shuttle lever seems to me a brilliant idea, and the tick over reduces to almost nothing when applied. For my applications being on 5" wider tyres all round with no real extra weight will be handy, and I've been told a Front Linkage is available. Still looking to hire for a few months yet and hoping to be able to have an N121 to compare in the near future, but I'm pretty certain I'll switch the N101 for this to be going on with. Eddie.

Let's just say that Wetlands don't come with charts and no depth finders on Tracked Dumpers! Hoping to have the N111e in the next couple of days to try out, so looking forward to it as it appears to have the Hi shift and cab suspension which will be nicer than the absolute base spec. I'd think the N121 is the way forward though and hopefully one will come in shortly for me to have for a while just to see the difference.

Well it's been a bit of a trying week and lets just say we've had a few incidents. However I was very kindly helped out by Mark Eaton with a low loader at absolutely no notice to get the 5 tonne machine off site and also ended up with a couple of hours in this beauty! It's an N142 Versu and what I can tell you it was simply awesome! A real pocket rocket and so quick/comfortable on the road, but a bit over the top for my needs! Nice to try though and if I were driving it day in day out it would certainly be the way I'd go. Hoping to get an N111 for a few days as one has just come in, and this may help decide if that's enough HP or I need to go to the N121. No comment on the other picture!

The nearest dealer is David Eaton Tractors and I did a deal with Mark Eaton having expressed an interest earlier in the year in a new N111 and then going into his yard to view an older unit just to get some projects completed. I decided the way forward was to hire this N101 as it's only got 1300 hrs on it and it's completely basic spec which is ideal for different drivers. The idea being to learn what works and what doesn't for me, plus will it find enough for itself to pay it's way. It's doing brilliantly so far and to be quite honest my wish list isn't that long of things I'd like on a prospective purchase. Hoping to keep it on for a few more months and then decide if to buy or not. If you've not tried one then I'd say there's certainly nothing to be lost in having a demo, and probably plenty of fuel to be saved! Eddie.

Just thought I'd post a pic of the Vatra N101 that I currently have on an extended hire to test the water a bit with them. I've been delighted with how it's been performing on a range of duties and it's proving to be very economical on fuel. I really need something with a few more HP, possibly a 121 as I can't really go bigger or heavier? But this hire period has been a great learning curve and I'm slowly forming a wish list for any prospective purchase. It's pictured today second time out with the Farmi 260hfc which it run's/handles with ease, and as we're clearing willow off a wetland it's got the duals all round. I've always been a true blue man, 10 series or TW but this Valtra has really got under my skin and I'd be sad to see it go back now. Eddie

No I still haven't managed to locate a fresh Zago source, but I'm certain for a decent size project King Feeders could be persuaded to hire a unit out if they have one in stock back to Nigel as obviously they know him and Matt who operates it? Since the purchase of my Farmi 260 chipper, we find most stuff goes through this now loaded by my 5 tonner with Engcon system and Selector Grab. I have a Valtra N101 on hire at present just to dip a toe in and the Valtra runs it very nicely with good economy. They can get through a fair bit of stuff and get places others can't with minimal impact. However for certain projects you can't beat the Zago and they thrive on having a bit of soil contamination in the material, as it seems to help things along nicely. If time allows you can keep it in and make some lovely material. Regarding the Hammel it was really an experiment as we could get the unit at a rate that was a fair bit cheaper than the Zago and they do have a brilliant reputation. It was Hooklift mounted and an immensely powerful bit of kit, however as you say the material size was an issue and it just continually blocked unless you could find a grab full of pallets that cleaned it out in an instant. I'm not a fan of anything High Speed Shredder wise, and the Zago has always been good to us. Eddie.

I corresponded with Denis Cimaf with regard to the unit they produce that would match to my Kubota 8 tonner. They claim fantastic performance and certainly know their stuff, but simple fact for me the price was nearly double the competition at the time. If it had been realistically close to the competition on price I would have been prepared to go over and try a unit to see if it lived up to the hype? It would have been the first into the UK at the time, but I assume some have landed here now? I'm having an FAE unit on demo in the next couple of weeks and hope to see a fair gain over my present Osma unit that does tend to get pushed beyond it's limits. Interesting Seppi comments and I wonder if you have any thoughts on the pro's/con's of auxiliary engine setups for such applications? Eddie.

Due to a change in circumstances I'm needing to get a guy through his Pa1 and Pa6w fairly urgently (by August 1st at latest). If anyone knows of courses running or a provider who can undertake courses at short notice I'd be most grateful. He's in North Staffordshire but obviously willing to travel to gain the qualifications. Thanks.

All good with me thanks LB, Yes it was a pretty much all singing/dancing setup on the demonstration JS130 they had up there. It's used to show off the remarkable 'Oilquick' system that allows you to not only pick up attachments with the quick hitch, but actually connect the oil pipes instantly without leaving the cab or turning the machine off. It's very neat but very expensive and I fear it won't like very tough environments? Where trees are concerned it's got to be armour plated in my experience! I couldn't attend but actually loaned Engcon my latest 5 tonne unit for the stand and I don't think Rohan has actually seen that one yet? There was also another Low Ground Pressure 8 tonne machine there modelled on mine that I believe got sold off the show stand. I sincerely hope you had sunglasses, because if the sun actually shines there it's an absolute killer reflecting off that limestone. Eddie.

Lovely pics of some awesome Machinery there LB, that big CAT is something like 310 tonne I believe? Gutted not to be up there being the local show, and looks like the weather turned out for Buxton too! You didn't manage a snap of a couple of special kubota's on the Engcon stand did you? Eddie.

TDCi all the way as far as I'm concerned? I've run 300tdi, TD5 and now 2.4 TDCi in all types of conditions with plenty of heavy towing and quite simply the TDCi is the way forward? The TD5 is just too much like a two stroke for my liking? needs a good bootfull of throttle to get off and likes plenty of revs to keep things moving along. They do sound fantastic though! The TDCi has loads more useable torque and with the much lower first gear is far and away the better towing vehicle in everyday use. The sixth gear gives much better cruising and I have noticed that when towing the mpg doesn't nosedive as much as the other engine variants? However if they sold them with this six speed box and 300tdi, I'd swap tomorrow! I ran a GKN overdrive on my 300 tdi for 150,000 miles and what a difference it made to living with a pre TDCi Defender.

Just been informed that my regular supplier has moved his large Zago Shredder on to pastures new and this will leave a big hole for future projects. I'm really just seeing who's running what in shredder terms within range of North Staffordshire? We have utilised the Zago for large volumes of brash and also willow roots which it excelled at. Having tried a Hammel which had awesome power but just kept blocking with any soil, it really could be back to the drawing board if there's no Zago about? We really need good mobility and reasonable off road access capability which the Tractor towed Zago has provided and transport costs have always been reasonable. Considering all options for future projects, but looking back we've paid some good money out on hire and we always try to be spot on with anyone we sub in as it's how we'd expect to be treated. Eddie.

Hi Sean, I've been doing a bit of work on this especially for Rush cutting on larger area's. You are correct that the flail collectors that are currently available simply don't hold enough and for Rush application the idea of adding more weight to the carrying tractor will simply end up in the whole lot bogged! I am currently modifying a used (as new) direct cut flail forager for this type of work with a modified chute and LGP tyres. The idea is to be able to cover large area's and collect with minimal impact using fairly compact equipment that can traverse wet/rough terrain. Our initial testing of mowing the biggest crop of Rush imaginable on a pretty wet site was not without issues, but we learnt so much in a short space of time and hope to have the finished article shortly. Our system will revolve around being able to cut and collect directly into a tracked dumper which can obviously carry a decent volume over the worst of terrain. With a few basic mods a good direct cut flail harvester will do exactly as you require without huge cost and cutting heather is nothing compared to rush! We hired a 4 cylinder Ford County for our initial trial as it was fairly light weight and traversed the ground nicely. It's around 90hp and was more than up to the job. I have posted a link to our first efforts and if you check out the other video on my you tube channel you will see our first go at collecting cut material. We simply couldn't straight cut and collect as the crop was just too big and kept blocking, but by cutting first without chute and then collecting after we were able to clear all material from site to a remarkable standard. Hopefully the modified chute and a full body on the tracked dumper will result in a fast efficient system for all terrain. I have another immaculate one as a spare and could possibly help you locate one. Eddie.

It is usual to have a changeover from one way to two way operation as you say Sandy, but not on all I suspect and the larger return pipe points to possibly not? Some are much more obvious than others (CAT are actually on the boom) but as you say it'll almost certainly be a small block with tap (sometimes no handle, just square drive) that requires turning to divert the flow. I note you're west coast of Scotland and the person you need to call is John Craig at JCC Engcon Stirling. If it's possible with an excavator and hydraulics he can do it! In your own case if you have buttons on the lever it'll almost certainly be a two way auxiliary circuit, but probably no way of altering flow which could make operating a rotate quite jumpy. Many manufacturers have now really jumped onto the fact that excavators can carry such a vast range of attachments and are fitting fully proportional auxiliary circuits with adjustable flows to make for superb control of all functions. Kubota do them on their 5 and 8 tonners and Komatsu have just announced such a package from 3 tonne upwards. It's the way they'll all go eventually but well worth speccing on purchase as you can fit so many things to the end of them. Go for it with the 'Thumb' virtually every machine in North America has such a setup and really a complete no brainer? Why spend all day chasing stuff about when with the press of a pedal the thumb pops out and you've got a grapple. Bobcats are already rigged up for them and if you check out their website you'll get some ideas from there. Eddie.

Ok, if you want to pm me all the machine details year serial number model etc off the plate I'll make a call. The guy who sets my machines up is just about the best in the business and should provide a solution. Eddie.

Almost certainly single piped with a larger free return pipe. Is your offset boom on a pedal? or the type where you press the button on the lever to changeover and use the slew to operate the offset? If it's the latter then not good, but if you have the pedal then easy enough to pie from the offset into the existing pipes down the boom/dipper. It'll take a few minutes to change back to standard, but if you've got to fit the grab anyway it'll not be too bad. Eddie.