sandcastles

Great service, always quick to respond to enquiries.

Just had a steel frame made up for my tipper and used 9mm Stokbord for sides and roof - looks alright, think it will be durable enough but you couldn't have it without support in middle. Also kept alloy dropsides to support base. 12mm might be better but quite heavy stuff.

I use them on my old Kask helmets - you could transfer them between helmets but takes a minute to get all cables tucked out the way. Still haven't found the best way to get earpieces to stick inside defenders. Due to this and the cables being kept slightly loose (can get caught in twigs), I only use these helmets on the days I'm using the comms. I bought a set from fc-moto.de which has the mic. attached on a cable (universal kit) rather than directly to the BT receiver so the receiver sits on the back of the helmet out the way. I'd imagine would fit on protos no problem as long as it's thin enough at the back to take the clamp. Probably only used them a dozen times since June but think they're well worth the money. Especially handy when your groundies are incapable of looking up whilst sawing or chipping. Cheers, Sandy

It's on a 12t DAF 45-170. If anyone knows much about them, would be happy for your opinion. The idea of handling less hawthorn does sound appealing. Cheers

Thanks for your replies, gives me a better idea of what might be achievable. Most the examples I've found of this model seem to have grabs on the end, which led me to the hope they might use the same block on them all or at least are easily adapted. Maybe wishful thinking. You've got a fair point there Tom, would mainly be used for large sections of timber rather than multiple lifts. Good to know if the option's there though. Cheers

Looking at purchasing a used vehicle with atlas 65.2 crane. Can anyone advise on how feasible it is to add hydraulic lines suitable for rotator and grab? Is it even possible, would it cost a bloody fortune... would I be better just replacing the crane with one that were made earlier. This crane doesn't look to have had much use, so liked the idea of doing something with it. Cheers, Sandy

This looks pretty ideal - great job Peter. I think it makes a lot of sense having a rear mounted crane. When I've looked at big side tippers in the past I see they often have sides hinged at the bottom that act like a chute, I guess to keep the material away from the truck. Do you have any trouble with pieces of timber or chip piling up against the truck when tipping? Cheers, Sandy

Oil level sits high - will try to get it changed next time they take it for testing, next week I'm told. But then they said that last week too. Cheers for the warning.

I bought a Dmax Eiger automatic in March, had issues with dpf since 50 miles in. No matter how it's driven, dpf light appears regularly. Dealer took it in at start and eventually sorted the issue... until about 1500 miles later, problem with dpf started again. Have been hassling them for the last few months, Isuzu can't seem to give the dealer a permanent solution. Performance doesn't seem to be affected but I'm concerned about what further problems this will lead to.

I've been using the 86R for the last few years and just bought a 40" 86T with catcher plate. I know my colleagues who are used to the 81, didn't much like using the single sided cutters - but everyone seems to be taken with this new one. It's a pretty well balanced machine considering the size and the longer bar does save a fair bit of time.

I use a plastic 1500l drum and it works well. Problem I had with standard block and tackle was it had to be put so high up to give the necessary clearance, it was a pain to pull through... and slow. Switched to using telehandler to lift it clear which makes life easier. It might work fine just with ordinary pulley above the drum, but I'd consider redirecting the rope so you don't have to stand right next to the pallet. As we just wrap the logs manually as drum is being lifted - I got hold of mini baler wrap (600mm x 1400m) as it's a fair bit easier to handle than standard net wrap. But you might not have this problem with a pallet wrapper. Other issues I have - plastic drum now starting to lose shape. Might stick a steel band round it to keep it more rigid. Also it bounces around a bit when you first start filling, so need to remember to re-position it on pallet as you go... before you find it's hanging over edges and too heavy to shift back.

Good luck to you all on Saturday... have put in a well deserved few quid Sandy

Thanks, aye that price is for a big heizohack so I guess the quote was fair enough. A 10" chipper with crane would do the job but can't seem to find anyone local with that set up. cheers

Can anyone advise on a rough price for a days hire of crane fed chipper (+ tractor and operator) please. I've been given a price of 800 + vat + transport, which I think sounds quite steep, but I'm happy to be corrected. Thanks, Sandy

Thanks for the replies, sounds like a worthwhile day. Could be worth having an event like this, then see if there's enough interest to get a more technical day sorted. We haven't had many AA events up here aimed at the climbing arborist in the last couple years. Cheers, Sandy