woodsmanmatt

Ok, so..... I've now got over my initial excitement around unimog's and big ex army trucks, and am back to the rational world of timber lorries. There are too many grey areas around hauling with a Mog, and realistically it will end up being way more expensive, even if Mogs are cool and would be better on the slippery stuff. I'll just have to treat myself to a u406 for fun once my timber haulage firm as made my fortune!!! That big Foden is not going to be practical, as much as I am a fan of big MOD trucks, having looked on the Military forums they seem to go wrong far too often, and spares/maintenance is likely to be a nightmare. So, it's (almost) definitely going to be an ex-brick lorry with bolsters and a headboard added, and the brick grab swapped with a log grab with weighing sensor! Get a proper O licence and HGV/Hiab ticket and will be ready to go, and provided I can sort out all the necessary funding I hope I'll be up and running next winter. Currently getting quotes from engineering firms for the conversion, and then going to put in for an FC grant, even if they will only part-fund the bits for the conversion it will be a start! Thanks for all your help and advice. Wish me luck

Just seen this! Rolls Royce engine too! Foden FH70 6x6 Gun Limber (Forestry, Quarry, Expedition) | eBay Would need a different crane, but certainly has potential!

Thanks Chris, that's great. That Volvo is very tasty, but way beyond my budget unfortunately!

Only if I was running on red diesel I think. On white it would be fine provided I could prove it was Forestry (as that falls under Ag registered vehicles) and not Arb, so I wouldn't be able to transport chip for example.

Just been looking at the Unimogs Rock thread - see what you mean! The "Hire and Reward" thing could be worked around I think. I think if I was hauling my own timber to a customer and using white diesel it would be ok, so would just need to make sure the timber was mine before I loaded it. That's just a paperwork issue I hope! That said I'm not sure it would be practical, but certainly worth looking at in more detail.

Quick question, would a half decent Unimog with 12t forwarding trailer be an option? If I got an Ag registered one I think I could legitimately use it without MOT/OL as it would be working in pure forestry. It would avoid the need to get an HGV licence too (I have experience of towing large trailers with tractors so that wouldn't really worry me). The advantage would be that I could grow the business using the PTO to drive a chipper etc if necessary was well as Hauling timber in the woods and on the road which really appeals. Disadvantage is that the initial outlay would be more expensive, as would the running costs I suspect! Thoughts??

Ok I may need to allow a little more for diesel and tax then until I know exactly which truck I would be getting. Ideally I'd be getting something newish, but suspect finances won't allow for it. Thanks guys!

Ok starting to get somewhere with my business plan now! Based on my calculations I need to move a minimum of 2000t per year to make it worth the investment, so now I need to talk to the firms I've been working for to see how likely this would be. That's somewhere in the region of 45-65 days work depending on payload of the lorry, so wouldn't necessarily need to be full time, but it would be needing to go out once a week at least. One thing I wanted to check - I've allowed for the truck to return about 10mpg - is that about right? Also what do think I should be budgeting insurance wise? Thanks!

Great advice, thanks Chris!!

Thanks, that's really helpful. Definitely starting to feel that I'd be better off converting a decent UK truck with a proper timber crane. Out of interest, what are the fuel costs of running a truck like yours? I need to work this out for my business plan.

Thanks, added to the list! I have a suitable operating centre I think. Do you know exactly which crane ticket would I need? Would this be sufficient? NATIONAL DRIVING CENTRE LONDON

This is more like it, just add a grab and bolsters and it's ready to go! IVECO 260E28 26ton GVW, SKIP LORRY, 6X4 WITH HIAB 085-3 EXT CRANE, EXT SKIP ARMS | eBay

Interesting and important stuff to know!

Just sent this link to my Finnish Friend, who said that HUOM:!! moottori rikki..!!!, means Note: Engine Broken! Maybe not then!