jonnygurkha

Having just got back from a simple, small, just me call out, I could of really done with a head torch. Does anyone have any recommendations for what they use? I have a GoPro mount on my helmet so was wondering if anyone uses a torch that will fit on there? Cheers!

I got some unrated leaf springs for my Hilux from Midland springs. They've been fine, no issues and they have worked hard.

I had one as my first chipper and it was great. Surprisingly productive for an old machine. That one looks a tad on the expensive side, is say it should be more around the 3k mark. Just remember however well it has been looked after, it's an old machine and things will go wrong. Keep some cash in reserve and track down a good mechanic for when it inevitably goes wrong!!

Just testing the water, I'm looking at trading in my goldoni quad 20 with the aim of getting a 50 ish hp bcs/Ferrari/pasquali reverse steer with front loader. Is anyone selling anything like this second hand? Cheers

We had a 5kw Woodwarm 'wildwood' in our old house. Have just put a 12kw woodwarm in our new house. I can't rate them highly enough and I like the fact they're made just down the road from me near cullompton. They are superbly built and kick out hell of a heat.

I have a 2010 hl2 double cab that I've had 4 years and true to the toyota it has been the most reliable vehicle I've owned. I have worked it hard from day 1 and have put about 60k miles on the clock with nothing needed except brake pads. The 2.5 is a bit gutless but I don't mind that. The clutch has smelt when reversing a heavy trailer so now I always drop it into low box. I do keep it regularly serviced.

We've just installed a double fronted woodwarm stove, it's a beast and so much more efficient than the old Villager we used to have.

Hey Oakley, that is the business! I reckon that would work nicely on a 3 point linkage, may need to make the lower runners a bit shorter. Thanks for sharing

I like the look of the land clearance grapple, maybe slightly longer tines and lighter construction

Slim reaper, that is what I was thinking. I guess the longer the tines the shallower the tip. I will see what the ag engineer suggests later in the week

I've had a look at some of the grabs and they do look good. The down sides for me are the cost (£2k) and the weight. I know what you mean about lack of height on alpines richy, I was hoping a hinge and gravity catch would work even if it doesn't tip very far

I bought new, I needed it in a hurry! For its size it is a really great piece of kit, it punches well above its weight. I've also been running my hycrack log splitter off it. I've seen tipping buckrakes like you use, I may still end up with one but I thought it would be useful to be able to grab the brash rather than just rely on it balancing on the forks

Yeah, that's along the lines of what I was thinking only I thought to use the hydraulic spools to power a top jaw to clamp down on the brash. Lift on the 3 point linkage then when I want to unload, open the jaws and then have a gravity release catch to tip the load.

Hi all, glad to say that I have joined the alpine tractor club with a Goldoni quad 20 which I am really chuffed with so far. I have been using it with a flail to mow bridleways. My question is I'd like to buy or fabricate an attachment to pick up piles of stacked brash. The only thing I can see to buy is a buckrake. I was wondering about getting my local ag engineer to make a muck grab that fits to the rear linkage and using the aux hydraulics works the jaws. I think there would need to be a tipping catch to help release the brash. Has anyone done anything like this or got any other ideas?

I'm not 100% sure but I think the avant had 26 x 12-12 whatever that means. They were certainly bigger and wider. Nothing to stop you putting bigger tyres on the multione and it may well make a difference. My chip and log site is in a muddy corner of a field so ability in the mud is paramount for me. The multione with the torque divider had more ability to get out of a rut but the avant didn't seem to get as bogged down in the first place.

You won't be disappointed Dean!

Agreed, you cannot compare the 2 machines. The spec sheets only tell half the story and both makes and models have their strengths and weaknesses. The multione is a great bit of kit, just happened that the Avant performed better for what I need.

I think it would be unfair of me to publish the prices but the Avant was the cheaper machine by about £2k

Avant 640 and Multione 7.3+

Well, here goes....I have now had demos of the Multione 7.3+ and the Avant 635. Many thanks to both dealers who I felt represented their brands exceedingly well. Steve came down to Somerset with Jordan and Joe of Multione from Derbyshire, a stonking 5hr drive. They brought a shiny machine with grab, forks and stump grinder. My initial impression was that the multione was quite plasticky and also quite low slung. I liked the H shaped boom, torque divider and some other clever little features that the Avant was lacking. The stump grinder particularly was well thought out using a hydro electric swing. However, in a flat field it too easily got bogged down. Admittedly it got itself out using the torque divider and a lot of the problem was that I was the operator but it was a worry. Yesterday, Paul of Avant came to the same site with a 640 (same as 635 but with a faster speed). The Avant to me just seems better built. First impressions it was chunky in the right places and the finish just seemed to be of a higher standard. It has a bigger engine (37.5 HP vs 35) although on paper it can lift less and has a lower hydraulic flow rate (66 lpm vs 68 lpm). It has larger, wider tyres and was less prone to getting bogged down. It lifted a decent chunk of timber, and powered a 1.5m flail without a problem and without back weights. I have decided on the Avant. Not to say the multione isn't a good machine but it just didn't tick the boxes for my business. Very good demos by both companies. Thank you! Pics to follow...

That makes sense, thanks for the replies. I'm having a demo of the multione 7.3+ tomorrow. It's between that and the Avant 635. Update to follow.

Meant to pm.Doh!

I'm currently comparing the 7.3 with the Avant 635 and 745. My head is full of numbers and specs and I'm confused! To be fair they both seem like decent machines. CSF seem to be able to squeeze out a heavier lift and better hydraulic flow from a smaller lighter machine. Also, what the hell is a torque divider? Apparently the 7.3 has one but not the Avant...

Kev, thanks for taking the time to talk about loaders with me today. I'm in exactly the same boat as you were. Will be doing plenty more research. Peter, look forward to speaking soon. I'll keep this thread updated with what I decide.

The tipping load is a factor but I also need to be able to run attachments off the hydraulics. The 420 I'm looking at has a telescopic boom, essential IMO. The catalogue with all the attachments lists most of them being compatible with the 420 but my dealer felt the flow rate isn't high enough. Is he just trying to get me to spend more money or is it a valid point?