Mr Org

Thank Neil, I intend to put myself on the course for the exact point you make. Just done the PTI (waiting for results), and legal implications of bracing were discussed should failure occur, very interesting so all boxes need ticking. The chap who works for me has done loads of bracing mainly in Europe and has done an ISA course for it, but as I'm in charge I want to understand the mechanics to be confident on the specification. Do you know where Kev Moore is based?

Thanks for reply. My man is on holiday so I only had limited info sent to me but as he's a dedicated work colleague is happy to bring it back. He has used it before but As I haven't I was unsure how it compared. Cobra seamed to have cornered the market over here.

Is that Gefa system the same as that made by Gleistein (or yet another make that merely begins with the letter 'G'). Was the mulberry re-braced due to age of system, growth or just pants - no offence to the original installer Steve

Hi, anyone out there used any of the alternative bracing systems to the Cobra system? I've been looking at the Gleistein bracing ropes as I use their heavy duty rigging rope, but can't find info on how the system is assembled. Only looking as my second climber is on holiday in Europe, has seen it and its way cheaper than Cobra and according to arb supplier in Germany is a simpler system. Never heard of it though. It is CE Marked and from a reputable company but not sold over here as far as I can tell. Ta

Just for info should any others be interested I have just spoken to local agri mechanic who said: "some alpine tractors have a 'weakness' concerning water ingress through the gear lever gators. Not the gators visible externally but the circular rubber ones on a pinch clip where the levers enter the tractor." (I had already replaced these as they were perished and this is where the water has got in over time so worth checking them if your machine is older than 5 years and been outside a lot). "Once water is in the shared hyd/transmission reservoir it is a pig to clear out and despite doing a couple of oil changes will still whisk up with the new oil to foamy soup. Add a small amount of diesel to the oil before changing it and run it preferably with a implement on to get the oil warmed up and then do a change. The diesel within the oil will help in absorbing some of the water and more will be removed than by just doing an oil change. It may take a couple of changes but better to spend money on oil than bearings and gears." I will post the outcome just incase its useful for any of you. To add, Killworth machinery customer service is the best I have encountered for parts!

Hi, thanks for the reply, I think you're right some parts are stamped with Ferrari. The power of the little 400 is awesome (pulled my 3.5t loaded Canter out of the mud up hill before xmas). Flail cutting rides with a 5ft Del Morini was easy and less eco-impact than my old IH. Sadly the BCS doesn't have a kill switch so may have to fit one if my 2 stooges use the hycrack. Any idea on the soup like tansmission/hyd oil?

Hi Alpine users. I Just bought a BCS Victor 400 which had been sat for 2 years in a barn unused, came in from Italy (bought it off the Italian fella due to divorce). Only 450hrs but the man was a muppet and it needed work to get it sorted. A couple of questions: Jonnygurkha - I too have just bought a Hycrack for it, where are you running your 'emergency string' to? Anyone - I have drained and replaced the transmission/hydraulic oil in the rear reservoir as it was very foamy and looked like bad chicken soup. I know water had got in through the gear selectors not having gators or covers. These are now replaced, breather vent cleared, re-filled with 80/90 gear oil but after running for 3 days working hard, chicken soup returned. I have just drained again raising front end on ramps to get fluid to drain back. Any ideas to cause before I re-fill as its an expensive oil change? Thanks in advance

Sorry, I do like the canter after owning a Mazda b2500, cabstar, movano, transit, 2nd transit, fourtrak, 03 canter, but i digress. Canter has an exhaust brake so can tow big loads 4t I think but would have to check. I towed a low load trrailer with our 3.5t loaded with tractor and road roller - slow, but ok.

Like lots of things they have over complicated the engine management, but no worse than ford charging £1200 for a new fuel pump and mapping!! The 2005 canters (facelift after the one we have) seam to be the best. I knoiw a few arb guys with 6.3t and 3.5t after buying on my recomendation and they are content. Madly mitsubishi are now only doling the 6.3t in 4x4 which is £35k ha ha ha I wish.

Sorry for silence, working all over at the mo, Orpington this week!! We are in central Woking MOnday and indeed willbe going round the 25 then down the 23 around 3.45pm if all goes to plan. Mainly felling car park trees, acers of various sp, plus ash and a big robinia. All timber can be cut to wood processot 2.5m lengths and rounds for oversize if you wish as long as you can also take the chip. Sorry to sound fussy but also dont want to drive around for mile off the 23 to finbd anyone as better to hual back to yard. But if you are near.......pm me

Owned a 2003 Canter since new, and a 2001 Transit since new, plus 2nd hand cabstar. If going for new I would get a canter. YES parts are pricey BUT, 1 exhaust on the canter after 120K and only mid and rear sections verses 4 on the transit. Parts pretty much = themselves in terms of cost and longevity but I like the lack of down time. Turning circle is awsome on a canter for town work especially when reversing a chipper on the street, but they get stuck at a a mere whiff of muyd (the fourtrak is regularly out in winter to tow cantrer and chipper off a field). Overall thge canter has been solid and very economkijcal to run. It behaves like a proper commercial truck so dont expect a ride like a car or transit. The big advantage over all the others is that with 2 ton on board, plus tip box and tools it still will not look overloaded. I know we all never over load but stick that on the transit or cabstar and you are asking to get pulled. Don't know if it is urban myth but was told by a canter dealer that the 3.5t used to be sold in same spec as a 5.2t for europe (the 6.3t does have bigger brakes and springs) until europe was unified in weight classes. I knoiw mine regularly hauls way more than the transit or pprevious cabstar. True the customer service is pretty crap once they have your money, but thats the auto trade for you! Hope this helps ps southern commercial bodies in sussex do very good conversions for chassis cabs

Hi. Anyone know of or happy to have a chip drop and free log drop next Monday near Woking. We will have 1 - 2 truck loads of chip and a transit size truck and trailer load of logs. Looking to tip for free or we will haul it all home. Many thanks

Here you go Ginandtonic New Large Size Olive Green Military Style Heavy Duty Cotton Canvas Army Kit Bag | eBay This is the one I use, looks ok on the fleabay but I like to see used stuff first, but then £8.99 posted........ By the way it isn't me selling it!

You asked for comments from users rather than opinions. I borrowed a mates bak up saw an AMA (from Jones) for 2 days full on coni bashing. Stems up to 4". It was great. Always started nice and light, quite 'zippy'. No good for big stuff as underpowered but for light pruning and orchard restoration, nice and compact. By the way my 200 was having a newcarb fitted under warranty - the CHINESE carb Stihl now use had a batch problem that destoys the carb!!!! Stihl only wanted to replace the worn part but my dealer insisted on a new carb - no arguement as they know there is an issue.

Thanks for the reply. Keen for this NOT to revert into the Husq vs Sthil debate as I like both. So just opinions as to if you would chop in an old like new torque ladden beast for a new lighter more managable super model, considering the use. by the way I know I won't get such a groovey logo on a modern saw

I have a problem (my wife would say more than 1). I own mint Stihl 070 which was my Uncles, bought for the farm and never used, it is as new. I use it on the mill as its .404 I use it for work but only on average every 4 weeks when we do a 'big' tree (36" and 25" bar for it). I run a 357xp and 441, was going to sell the 070 so that others who work with me could use a bigger saw (no chain brake so don't let them on it), and the weight and vibe are vertabrae punishing. Wanted to change the 070 for a 660, but...after talking to Stihl dealer and Stihl technical both raved about what a good saw the 070 is and how they still make them for Brazil for big hardwood logging. Dilema - pay £800+ for a lighter more managable saw that is not used daily or keep the noisy beast that makes me smile but aches my arms??? What would you do, opinions please?

Best value for money if you want it on a bag is Army surplus heavy duty canvas cylinder bag. Looks like one of those olde navy kit bags. Has a side handle and shoulder strap which also closes the lid one metal clips. £8 well spent. Mine has a 60m (heavy) lowering rope, portawrap, block, big dans, slings and sawdust in it. Still going strong 2 years later.

Sorry, did I miss type that? You can tell the family went away for half term leaving me to work!

Is it the 4 cycle machine? If so not the first with issues. Just had a 2 yr old one play up and told it needed a new carb after trying a new coil (made it uneconomic to repair), but the other one that had problems (also told it needed a new carb) just needed an ultrasonic carb clean £30 - done by 2 stroke man not Stihl dealer who wanted over £100 for a new carb. Try Holbrook Engineering Heathfield 01435 813145 (near you), they sorted a mates with the Ultrasonic thing. It could be not running it on the fancy Stihl green oil but the machines we have run on Husq xp (cheaper) and seam to be fine after 2 years. Hope this helps

Can you PM me. I am based in Newick and am seriously thinking of the Wallenstien. Just want to have a chat without boring evryone on a thread. Would appreciate a phone chat and maybe see the thing in action. Trying to see as many as poss before the Wood fair at Bently or I may buy Jonesies MTD at the show after a few beers! Would really appreciate seing it running but understand if you don't want to demo. Working in Bexhil Monday if you're around. If not could let me know the real cycle time (not claimed time). You still happy with it after splitting a few ton?

Thanks for the replies chaps. Sorry for not followin this one up after posting (managed to go on holiday then been too flat out since back). They have been on my case so much I decided to totally ignore them and from your comments now on't feel bad! Gollum, glad someone else out there knows the truth about these machines, everyone who works with me loves it - that turntable is great. Nearly 700 hours on mine now but still going better than anything of similar size with half the hours on it. One of the best things I have spent my hard earned on (wife included).

Sorry to hi-jack thread, but anyone know a buyer who can collect in th south east. See it gets loaded onto ships from Shoreham Harbour but can't find buyer. Thanks

Not a sale thread but may interest anyone else who has a JBM 521. A long story so if you don't own a JBM look away now. I hve one, I love it! Out chips a timberwolf all day and better than an equivelant greenmech for town work due to the handy turntable (also Richard Court IS the man in the know). I digress. I get my blades sharpened by Saturn. They offered to make some up but said they needed to make 3 sets as it was not a stock item. I said to them they would need a brand new set to take measurements from (they were going to take them from a set on their last grind!!!). This meant me buying a new set of OEM blades which were sent for their first sharpen and pattern making. As I had needed to buy a new set for the pattern I asked them to hold the measurements until I needed some new blades. They sent the re-sharpened blades back. 4 months later I get a call from Saturn asking when I was going to pay for the 3 sets they had made for me!? Error in communication. So Saturn have 3 sets of new JBM 521mdx blades. I can't afford all 3 but feel bad about the mistake. Anyone out there got the same machine can contact saturn and get a set for around £160 rather than the £240 for OEM. I have offered to buy 1 set but thats all I need right now. A dull post I know but may save someone out there some hard earned. PM me if you want.