parkertrees

Bumping this thread regarding toppys... Whats everyone using for a bigger top handle? We've got 1/4pitch 2511ts and love them, but for the odd large rigging removal job it would be nice to have something a bit bigger, both power wise and bar wise (without hoiking a ground saw up) I used to have a husky T540xp mk1, was a terrific cutting saw when it wanted to run well, and felt really nice in the hand, but that wasn't often. After a year or so the thing was a bitch to start warm, and it finally ripped in half in my hand when it got snagged. Is the MK3 a better saw? or do people still have trouble with them? tried the Echo 362 and was a underwhelmed. The saw ran well enough, didnt set the world alight, but was nowhere as ergonomic as the 2511, and the smaller fuel caps that don't fit stihl spouts was a pain. Ive no doubt it would still be going trouble free had it not been nicked, but i didint rush to replace it. Stihl 201s i find underwhelming as well, and at almost twice the price of the big echo, i think they should be better. Looking at the Milwaukee battery saw too? anyone got one? TIA

Our 7 ton Iveco Daily weighs just under 4 ton with chipper (bandit 75), tools on and 3 blokes in the cab. Fully loaded with wet conifer chip it sits just about 7 ton. That's with a very strongly built aluminium plank and steel framed body, plus a separate toolbox. So it can carry 3 ton of woodchip in its 11.3 cubic meter body. From this one can work out that most 3.5 tonners are weighing (at least) 50% more than they should when heading to the tip. This is all fine until something happens.... A good mate of mine was in a collision the other day with a pedestrian who ran out in front of him for a bus.... the pedestrian sadly died at the scene. He wasn't speeding, overweight, on his phone or otherwise breaking the rules. The police have his pickup truck however, as its evidence in an upcoming hearing. Multiple witnesses say the pedestrian didn't look, and it wasn't my mates fault, but he's understandably distraught. This really reaffirmed my position on this subject. Now imagine you were in a transit tipper freighted with conifer. Speeding or not, even though the pedestrian literally ran out at the last minute and the collision was unavoidable, your looking at death by dangerous driving/manslaughter charges. For me the paperwork etc to run an HGV really is worth it. The trucks are easier to find in good condition due to the more stringent MOT etc. They're better vehicles all round, pull more, handle weight better, tougher running gear etc. The only down side is a bit more paperwork, and having to put your lads through their test. I mainly drive the truck, and if we take multiple vehicles, then my lad drives my 4x4 towing the Ifor or Arb digger, so i haven't bothered with this part anyway. Anyway, essay over... but food for thought!

We use the Stihl comms, really impressed with range and battery life etc. They've been a game changer

Looks similar shape to a Petzl Grillion (but far less shit) Keen to see this in its final form. ART seem to have something in the pipeline too

if you CAN, id go HGV. like @richy_B said, every 3.5 ton tipper on the road is overweight. I bought a 7ton daily with a big body (11.5 m3) on it, and it happens to have built in scales. with 2 men in, chainaws in the locker its 3.7 ton empty. Brim the body with chip and its 7ton bang on. the idea of running a 3.5ton one legally is virtually impossible unless you chip a bin full and go tip lol. O licence really isnt that much aggro, and insurance isn't bad either, only stumbling block is drivers, but if your a small team its not an issue.

Wasn't Reg also designing a mechanical friction device capable of Ddrt and SRT? He was testing it almost 2 years ago, but not heard a peep since?

we changed to the Stihl procom units. better noise protection plus coms units etc. expensive but well worth the money if your running any big machines

Lots of good nick 3.5 ton arb trucks about atm if you don't need ULEZ compliance.

Great for towing on and off site, shame about the need for a tacho... I'm sure with enough interest INEOS will find a workaround for that, they are receptive to customer requests. Here's mine towing the 2.7t Bob onto a soggy field. Absolutely love it!

Giving our Bandit 75xp some TLC today, need some touch up paint for the engine cover. Anyone know the paint code for Bandit yellow? all I've found online is BA900-9912-02, but this only brings back results from the USA, and only 2 sites at that. I was wondering whether it matched anything else here in the UK. Ill try ringing Global tomorrow as well.

Nice truck that, did you end up parting it? hard to find SWB 7.5 tonners, i was looking for a euro 6 chassis to drop my DAF LFs arb body onto a few months ago, but gave up.

Mate i've just read/seen your story for the first time. A real eye opener to anyone operating any dangerous machinery, sometimes we need to pause and think about the huge forces at work that we take so for granted. glad to see your recovering best wishes to you and your family Steve