chrisgilltreesurgery

My point exactly! My canter never looks overloaded even when chip is spilling out the back and I recon ive had it up to 6.5ton, leaf springs not even flat and tyre pressures upto 70psi does the trick

That would be mint mate! Could you ask how much he would charge me Cheers

I also think barn doors fitted to the rear of the van would be a good idea as my Canter sits very well and level even at 6tons! So barn doors would at least stop prying VOSA eyes lol

When I started this thread I failed to mention that when I was on the weigh bridge I didnt have the chipper on, so this means adding an additional 1350kg to the scary 5880kg OMFG! What about an MB Track with a grain trailer??? I dont think there is a suitable answer for small time tree work companies is there, we just have to muddle through the best we can. If we were all to get 6.5 tonners of above I think this would put a lot of more stress on our business's money wise. Ok it would be the right thing to do possibly, but when tree work is as cut throat as it is up in the north and your trying to put food in your kids mouths then what is the answer? Maybe VOSA should be more strict and clamp down on 3.5 ton drivers in tree work and it would put a lot of chancers out of work leaving more work for the professionals. I certainly dont have the answer, not even after nearly 100 posts on here. I have started to take my Hilux to work though so I can put the kit in the back and tow the chipper but if I get stopped by VOSA ill still be well over. I might sell my canter and insist that customers keep all timber and chip, obviously at an additional charge of £100 per tree!

Im based at a place called Heddon on the Wall, which is on the A69 5 mins west of Newcastle. I was talkinmg to a lad yesterday who told me to get a tacho on my canter and get it beefed up to 5.5 ton, would this work or is this dooable?

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Just looked it up and wow yes that would do me! Now then...... what sort of money are they?

Whats a tractor with a roof mount?

How on earth will a Landy help me lol, I've had a 130 Tipper and a 90 and hated them both! Im so so not a landy kinda person. They look mint but thats where it ends for me. The reason for me wanting a Mog is to assist me with commercial work ie large scale site clearance work

My thoughts exactly, hence me wanting a bit of a Mog-Hugger to come and take a look with me... The one on ebay is only a U1200, to small for me Im wanting a U1600/1650

Im looking for a Unimog at the moment but my knowledge is very limited. What I am looking for is for someone who has a good knowledge of Mogs to come with me and check it over for me (obviously I will pay for your time). Just north of Carlisle area. I look forward to hearing from you... Chris

Stan my apologies for any confusion on the U20, when I spoke with Martin Foster on Sat we were both on our hands free, when we spoke about the U20 he told me it was approx £50k, I took that as the one in your yard (fully kitted up. My mistake.

£50K is for the chassis only so erm..... I wont be going down that rout Back to the drawing board

It is, and im lucky enough to have the chance of an ex-demonstrator

£50K Unimog U20 with chipbox and rear mounted chipper, the U20 is a very similar footprint to my canter so can stillnget into tight driveways etc Breaking into the commercial market so the U20 will suit perfectly....... I hope

Its how you treat and drive them, if you drive your landy like a car its gona break through my experience. Ive got a hilux now and i think i am looking forward to my mog!! Oh my 4 lt wrangler kicked the arse of both!!

If the U20 does not come off then I think ill go down the rout of keeping my kit, selling the Hilux and buying a U1600 And if that doesnt work out im gona sell up and clean windows!

And as I stated before, my business is my livelyhood which feeds my daughter and my wife so I think the decision was an easy one to make. I really dont fancy getting hit with a £5k fine per overloaded axel.

Not really no, Ive wanted a Mog since I started in the industry 10 years ago and now this has helped with the decision, especially after I saw the U20

Looking at £50K but I should get about £35K for my set up, so £15K to change. Oh yes nearly forgot to mention the FU**IN VAT! Another £10K but im going VAT registered before I buy it so at least I can get something back.

Well just to clear my name in this slagging match im looking to get a Unimog U20 from Alex Price! My 3.5ton Canter is now up for sale, so is my Timberwolf 190 road-tow and also my single cab 1999 Hilux Mk4. Im going legit. Big bucks to be spent, but this is my livelyhood which put food on the table and a roof over the heads of my family so the decision was easy for me. My excuse is that I presumed I was overweight on occasions but didn't realise to what extent until I got my sorry ass to the weigh-bridge, and what a shock! By no means do any of you have to listen to me but Id go to the weigh bridge even if its for your piece of mind. Its been an interesting thread with lots of different comments, some ive liked, some that got my back up, but most of all its helped me make the right decision for the future of my business and If my fellow 3.5 tonners are reading then you know what to do. In northumberland and Newcastle I think in 10 years ive only comer across 2 companies who use 6.5ton and above!! This is frightening as there are so many small 3 man team tree surgery companies up here, problem is in my eyes is that there is just not the disposable income up in the north, therefore people in Arb do try their best to keep within the boundaries of the law but it is hard when your running a small business that you and your family rely on. Cheers lads Chris

Well said, I couldn't agree more!

buy my chipper

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