difflock

I cant help but imagine, iffen this had of been an IRA man, or woman, shot twice in the head , whilst making/planting/setting,or detonating a bomb, here in NI during the "troubles" there would have been a massive outcry, not least from the BBC and the Boston Irish, about RUC brutality and "shoot to kill". etc etc etc What has changed?

Avant is hydrostatic = hydraulic, since ALL the Avant gadgets are hydraulic powered, ERGO a sodding large hydraulic winch, so the world is yer Oyster! Whadda ye know, see link; https://www.avanttecno.com/za/attachments/winch But tis only a wee 1000Kg toy? This site; Horsepower Calculator - Metaris Hydraulics WWW.METARIS.COM Calculate the Hydraulic (fluid power) horsepower. gives 35 HP, after converting the Avant oil flow and pressure to Freedom Units So even look at a standard 3 -5 tonne tractor linkage mounted forestry winch, but modified to mount to the rear of the Avant, with a suitable Hydraulic PTO, Ex Whitehouse Hydraulics or other similar supplier. Hydraulic Gear Pumps | White House Products | Hydraulic Pumps WWW.WHITEHOUSEPRODUCTSLTD.COM And at least with the hydrostatic drive Avant there is no need to worry about cooling the hard working hyd fluid.

TVI, an outstanding thread, and (this coming from someone who only/mostly posts non-tree related shite) EXACTLY What any arb or tree related forum should contain. Kudos good Sir, Keep up the good work. marcus, the really quite envious.

Meh, da petrol ones were, after all, designed with Iran as a major market, so fuel consumption was prob not high on the priority list. A 460, re-engined with an OM 605, is a corking unbreakable/unburstable beast, that will survive armageddon better than a lot of other vehicles. And the chassis simply DOES NOT RUST. The 461, being the successor to the 460 from 1990 onward, is even better, with the decent Sprinter turbo-diesel engines available from the factory. And there is simply nowt better off-road, in bog-standard factory trim. Anyway, horses for courses. I like them, even more important the wife likes them, and best of all wor Daughter LOVES them. Nuff said, Cheers, Marcus

Spitting Images were really "on-point" with this far-sighted critique: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwexhQ-92ws

And . . . presumably Toyota stuff?

"here" being . . . where? and what everywhere MB or Toyota?

Who says our dawgs are spoiled? They are however well trained enough not to occupy my seat, the only empty one!

In respect of my LHD "G" Wagen import ponderings, the beauty with the "G" Wagen is the superb all round visibility, in part due to the high and upright seating, but mostly due to the acres of all-round vertical/near vertical glazing. Entering roundabouts would be my biggest concern, but then on reflection I took a UK car to Europe more than once a year for many years, and negiotated there kitter-fisted roundabouts with nary a care in the world! mth

What is the practicality, and indeed legality, of simply rigging quality cameras, one viewing forward, one viewing backwards, on the outside of the offside mirror, to feed Hi-def images to a screen or screens in the drivers sight, to allow for safe overtaking. Even with "expensive" cameras and screens, a whole lot cheaper than a LHD-to-RHD conversation surely. I had toyed with this notion when pondering importing a LHD "G" Wagen. Just thinking? Do some of the Supercars not now use camera technology instead of mirrors? So it should be OK, yes? mth

As in most human populations, farmers will fit the classic "bell curve"; a small %age are effectively "stupid", sub IQ of 84 I believe the bulk are then sub/plus 100 IQ(15 points each side I believe) and a small %age got more than their share fair share of smarts. This is reflected in how they load their vehicles and choose to drive. Based on my 45 years of wryful observation. I would say this also applies to most other trades, assuming these trades have sufficiently large populations for such statistical analysis to be applied. Tough, but true.

Well I knew that! BUT, I choose the more pragamatic "level" loaded trailer/tug stance, ALWAYS assuming the empty trailer hitch height was correctly matched to the 50mm vehicle towball coupling, you know, like the exercise of uncommon good sense. Also what percentage of nose-weight is lost due to atmospheric drag on a bluff trailer shape, or bluff shaped high load on the trailer? And as stated, despite "expert" opinions to the contrary, my farmers Son eye-ball loading worked perfectly when loading and towing a high bluff load of a measured 3300Kg some 400 miles. I did not exceed 50mph and even then worked my way up to 50, having sat at 40mph for a few miles, until I was satisfied with the stability and handling, and then checking and fractionally tightening my tie-downs . regards Marcus

Hmmm, thoughts: (i) to "pull out" of "the tail wagging the Dog", gently ease off the throttle, perhaps very light braking, and pray, but difficult to achieve on a downwith with self-inflicted excess speed combined with gravity assisted acceleration. I think I only had it once in a decrepit Army Series III, which was snaking was due to an almost entirely unsecured/unbolted steering box, for which the hairy arsed REME bloke apologized(400 or so miles later) to a wet-behind-the-ears 2Lt, who had reported the veh defect on each stop, but was ignored until we got to Dover. (ii) What is this nose weight I keep reading about? All I ever do is make sure the trailer is level, on level ground, when hitched to the towing vehicle and loaded, since the trailer wheels will always be rear of trailer centre, the COG will be forward of trailer centre, and if the trailer is level it is not overloading the tug, with a visual inspection of the stance of the tug being instructive. On this basis, I loaded and towed a 800Kg trailer + a 2500Kg SWB = 3300Kg to Wicklow and back, with the softly coil-sprung 461 Van, this yoke behaving impeccably throughout the round trip, despite a couple of blokes telling me the SWB was too far back on the trailer. like? Did they not realize it had a Cast Iron 617 Diesel boat anchor in the engine bay nicely forward of the trailer COG. Plus the dynamic forces generated by braking in particular, in particular with a relatively high 4WD as a load, will so far outweigh the quoted static 50mm ball loadings as to render them almost irrevelant. IMHO and experience. Anyway this has worked for me towing, and no doubt by times overloaded, with mostly humble FWD cars over a 40 year period, only recently having the luxery of the 461 Van. Regards, Marcus

EDIT: To say I now have/will have 2 "G" Wagens, for sale; (i)A 1984 SWB, 300GD, poor bodywork, with rust in the usual places, BUT supremely sound chassis, and bodywork currently being soundly repaired(to pass our rather strict Govt run NI MOT) and minimally painted(because I specifed a Piedbald Horse paint job to clearly identify the repaired areas) but SIMPLY Superb 617 engine, starts absolutly first kick, c/w 4 speed transmission and lovingly refurbished brakes with replacement Girling seal kits. A stained headlining though. I am only the 2nd owner btw. I would need to check the miles, plus 100k, but def sub 200k, in an engine good for 500,000 to 1,000,000 miles. A 35 year old, i.e. soon to be 40 year old, hence free of MOT's classic in the making All parts are original except the front axle which was replaced by a genuine MB factory exchange unit. I shall be retaining the Reg No. btw. (ii) The LWB 300GD, that we bought as a daily driver for the Mrs. 12 to 15 years ago, I fettled the brakes, replacing components as necessary, replaced the wiper spindles(they leak), serviced the engine, 50% coolant etc etc. Then I got the chance to buy the automatic Steyr Puch Van, so she was parked up. As always the chassis is 100% but the bodywork does need attention, though it went through out MOT earlier this year. I need to sort out the v recently(while I was in hosp with pancreatitis) black slime blocked tank mounted fuel filter, directly as a result of wor daughter "running on fumes, en-route to the fuel station no less! A tedious dirty but straightforward job, which I intend to attend to next week. However I had only about only 6 weeks ago lovingly re-set the tappets, and she was driving so much better, it appears this is indeed the critical "tune-up" for these 617 diesels. Again all origional factory spec, incl the remains of the factory A/C so still with the extra groove on the pullies to drive the missing A/C Compressor. Marcus

Is that lead or lead you mean 'K?

Hastings Direct. I was in the car with wor daughter driving, yesterday evening when she got rear ended by a bloke in aVW Passat, who drove away, on the M1 in Dublin. Lydia got his Reg, which married up with her description of the make and colour, and I nabbed the Reg colour and description of the next car behind as a witness, so she duly reported to the Gardai, no mysteries, then this afternoon she phoned her insurer, Hasting Direct. Lord God! 1 Hr and 15 minutes on the phone to an Indian call centre. No legal cover No courtsy car etc etc And £350 excess for a just sub £1,000.00 repair. An expensive lesson in cheap insurance learned for wor daughter!

Read my post above 'K!

But ah haint toltd you yet, about finding, on Wed a fortnight ago, my Grandfathers UVF .303 Long Lee Enfield, manufactured in 1898, complete with matching 1898 bayonet, both in pristine condition, bar a smidgen of surface rust to the barrel. The action is bright shiny and slick, slick slick. And, lo and behold, when I declared my find to the local FO, the very same afternoon, she was most helpful, and simply stated I would have no problem getting it registered to my FAC, with ammunition, to shoot on Club and MOD ranges. Currently left with a local RFD who will sort out the paperwork(on-line) for me next week. Wanna know the biggest irony? There will be less fuss and bother putting a previously unregistered .303 rifle, than putting on the air rifle I have bought out of England, for sporting purposes and vermin control(btw. it is being shipped by the English RFD, to the same local RFD who is holding my grandfathers rifle) Strange or what? Cheers, Marcus, the rather pleased Hat

Ah knew some bugger would start asking akward questions, I had a camera, but did not take any images, mostly because it looks pretty shite in its somewhat poorly black paintwork esp in the dull winter light. cheers Marcus

Being a 1988 LWB, re-engined with a OM605 equipped with a 7.5mm Dieselmekkan IP and a 6 speed gearbox, running oversized BF Goodrich MT's on a 30 or 40mm suspension lift, and driving like an absolute dream.? Best of all, it has the ultra-rare PTO off the transfer box, which I shall swop over to the 290GD Steyr Puch Kastenwagen(German for Box Van) to drive a hydraulic pump, with associated oil resovoir and cooler, primarily to drive hydraulic winch(s)☺️ I will probably also get the 290GD re-mapped to about 150BHP, with a more than commensurate torque increase? And she is already booked in for a full body re-spray in Jan. I obviously intend to attend the 2020 APF in the re-sprayed and tricked-out Kastenwagen, simply to make the rest o you poor saps drool with envy ? Does this make me a bad person? Marcus

Yup!

Actually I fully support JCB in this "publicty stunt", worth many many times the invested cost for all concerned, including btw. B.K.T. Tyres, who had the cajones to supply the tyres, i.e. NOT Michelin or any other "big brand". Mind you I am not sure who owns the BKT brand? I also deduce a lot of the work was "subbed out" to JCB suppliers, so no cost to JCB there, but excellent publicity for the suppliers, and it was also a an attractive "wacky" project for the young JCB Engineers and apprentices to get stuck into with their youthful enthusiasm. And Guy Martin as the driver, genius! So a win-win-win-win . . . cheers marcus

JCB Fastrac hits 153 mph to shatter its own world record for fastest tractor WWW.EQUIPMENTWORLD.COM Apparently setting one world record in 2019 wasn’t enough for the folks at JCB. Following record-breaking runs in June that made the JCB Fastrac the world’s fastest tractor, the team... They did not mention if she was running on a "drap o the Cherry", or praper clear Diesel, most odd?

Ah Yes, Lucas, "The Prince of Darkness" I remember even if Pepperridge Farm dosnt! What could go wrong!

Prob not less than 5 tonne? And try and get EH control, even consider splurging on wireless Romote Control upfront. I got the EH option, having tried the rope operated version first. I regret not getting the RC option, but it was about 15 year ago and only for little more than hobby use. I will probably yet treat myself to a RC control option. Soooooooooo civilized! Marcus P.S You can run the 540 winch on the 1000 setting at tickover revs, so no need to burn diesel needlessly, simply to get line speed. And the tractor will probably usefully, and safely stall, if the log/logs gets/get stuck, on the 1000 PTO setting.