Andrew McEwan

we run a john deere 3720 45hp compact tractor and use a timberwolf 150 pto chipper.

 

works well but there are minor issues that need overcome.

 

tractor doesnt like weight of chipper behind it on anything other than flat ground, side slopes or in woods even a little are downright scary! front weights and maybe water in tyres sort this.

 

ground clearance can be an issue - very easy to either hang chipper up on something or bash underside of tractor, doubt you get bash plate other than custom made for this.

 

however its great compared to moving branches and the 6 inch capability saves a lot of snedding.

Agreed, mine was much improved with front wheel weights, and had belly/front and side guarding made up

Can you please forward pics and information and price please?

[email protected]

 

 

 

 

Thanks

Have done, and agree with iveco have also kept my gravity feed

I did the same as you're pondering a few years ago Matt, and have now upgraded to a larger pto based set up, so have my first pto chipper for sale if interested. TP130pto

Why was the bloke in the vid using one?

From the angle of the bridge looks like tree is at top of a bank, assume he didn't want the logs to head down to the chipper under their own steam

Yes it makes a massive difference, you will fill up more often, but enjoy cutting more. My spudded 350 and 357 are what I pick up first, and have a 550 and others

I think the RFS may still be running their scheme that provides new members with a free visit from a local forestry consultant. Site visits provided voluntarily by RFS members.

38hp, heavy flywheel too, I like mine, robust and fast enough.

Try Mark at Lincmaster 01522 529444, might be who you saw at Saltex, but they do decent tool stores and other security gear. No connection with them, just had good kit and service over the last couple of years.

12" .043 gauge makita bar, with oregon 90 chain, drop in gauge has made a huge difference in performance. Once my stock of 050 bars and oregon 91 chain is used up all my little echos will be on 043 for good.

Good choice then, suspect you'll like the power and build for the cost. Snatch block has been handy on mine if you've not got one.

Yup, what Richy said. I think with a light tractor unless you have a fair bit of extraction to do and need a decent line in speed, a recovery hydraulic winch on a frame would be cheaper and much better on leaners.

I've got one, does the job but like any of its type be wary of not finishing a pull. Releasing a lot of tension without creating a birds nest is tricky (unless safe to lift blade and move tractor).

Another vote for getting a spud'ed 357. Your Dad may well mod his own saws but if he hasn't used a ported saw at work try and persuade him to give one a try. I'd rather have a good used 357 that has been through Steves (spud) workshop than a new standard one, there really is that big a difference. Like others have said Steve may well be able to source parts needed to refresh one of your Dads old 357xpg if it's a bit tatty. More power for the same weight will help your Dad no end on site. No Steve is not paying me! He just has very good attention to detail, and produces some great saws. I've got a link somewhere to a video of two of my 357s that shows the difference between stock and one from Steve, that'll I'll post.

Like the tractor Adam, have you thought of a using a skidding grapple? I use mine quite a bit for brash shunting as well as timber. There was a decent looking botex one on ebay recently.

Could be Dendroctonus micans, if any sign of galleries, frass, hollow sounding bark? Or Cytospora if not perhaps.

Great photos, on the trip list

May have changed as NFU just cover my machinery, no land involved on the policy

Tried NFU?

I used to use a twin axle ifor LM146 for moving my tractor, but changed to an ifor plant trailer (GP146 triple), miles better, it's quicker to load, tows better and less fussy about positioning of the load.

Another option could be a 346 or 350 with as rob suggests 325 050 bar and chain, mine is great for medium blocking down. Sent it to spud, light (for the power) and now v rapid, use mine with 16" and 18" bars

I found a cheap set of carb screwdrivers on ebay that fit echo carbs Dan, been happy with my 280, runs well on 3/8 043 gauge bar and chain (oregon 90) but did need the carb adjusting.

Great to see what you can control on a slope with one man, a truck and some rope/trunk wraps, good to see the photos.

Looks fun, what sort of rope brake did you use to slow the log as you pulled it down on your own?

On the way south try and stop at Fontainebleau forest just past Paris, interesting chateau but amazing forest with maybe the worlds best bouldering, or just some great walks/scrambles/tree spotting

Re-read the posts tcd, You're missing my point of woodland assessment before unloading a mulcher. 1/2 day to get access for assessment, and then write up an appropriate spec.

Whether the machine operator is an animal or not also isn't the point Jonny, it's impossible to respace regen with any machine, unless you have a clearing saw head on a drone or something.