which „extras“ do you find essential for a wheel-loader?

[friedrich]

good morning,

i want to order my first wheelloader, a intrepid/knikmops km130 tele. these machines come pretty basic or so it seems and i don’t wanna not order something now that i will miss later on.

extras i am pretty sure about are: comfort cab with heater (main feeling season in germany is in the winter), float valve, idle speed adjuster, extra counter weights…?

any input is very appreciated!

have a good day,
friedrich

 

[Mick!]

I don’t have a cab, not sure I’d want one, too much getting in and out, too much chance of broken windows.
If I was working in intense heat I’d want it for the air conditioning.
But I’ve never felt the need for heating, heated seat is enough.

 

[SkwerI]

When I bought mine I bought both grapple styles. The root rake grapple (which I love) and the BMG style 'dangle' grapple because everybody says they are the best thing since sliced bread. After 9 months I sold the BMG style grapple because I had only used it twice. In the last 4 years I have had about 1-2 times per year I wish I had it, but not enough to justify the expense or space on the trailer.

 

[Mick!]

One attachment that I strongly advise (especially for @skwerl who subs to different tree cos) is a winch.
Not big so taking it is not a commitment, pulls trees over in a more controlled manner than just pulling with the machine.
Plus you can get stuff up and out of awkward places to the chipper.
There is a vid there btw.

 

[friedrich]

I don’t have a cab, not sure I’d want one, too much getting in and out, too much chance of broken windows.
If I was working in intense heat I’d want it for the air conditioning.
But I’ve never felt the need for heating, heated seat is enough.

it is a little bit too warmer in france, though. i definitely like the rugged fobs… no glass and all. hopping on and off shouldn’t be slower, doors can be kept open. i dont know, it’s mainly the misses who is set on a heated cab, she is freezing quite easily.

will see when i get the quote, let my bank account decide

 

[friedrich]

When I bought mine I bought both grapple styles. The root rake grapple (which I love) and the BMG style 'dangle' grapple because everybody says they are the best thing since sliced bread. After 9 months I sold the BMG style grapple because I had only used it twice. In the last 4 years I have had about 1-2 times per year I wish I had it, but not enough to justify the expense or space on the trailer. View attachment 146314View attachment 146315View attachment 146316View attachment 146317View attachment 146318View attachment 146319

interesting, i‘ve read you before commenting on your love for the root rake grapple.

i‘m not so worried about attachments as i‘m sure i will add plenty over the years.
more about the basic set-up of the machine. stuff like hydraulic oil cooler.

i might just buy the most basic machine with tele boom and than sell and buy the tricked out pony in a couple of years when i know what i really need.

 

[friedrich]

One attachment that I strongly advise (especially for @skwerl who subs to different tree cos) is a winch.
Not big so taking it is not a commitment, pulls trees over in a more controlled manner than just pulling with the machine.
Plus you can get stuff up and out of awkward places to the chipper.
There is a vid there btw.

yes, i saw you post about it. that is definitely on my list.

thanks four all your input!

 

[cory]

I found the poor man's winch to be extremely effective:

Tie one end of rope to the log in question, put other end into a heavy duty Gibbs binered to your normal attachment (e.g. grapple bucket), groundie pulls rope tight and you then back up say 10' and boom up. Then you move forward and boom down while groundie pulls slack, rinse and repeat. Voila- a highly effective, essentially free, light weight, winch which also takes up zero space wherever you store it's components.

 

[Mick!]

What’s a Gibbs?

 

[CurSedVoyce]

R o pe grab

 

[treesmith]

When I bought mine I bought both grapple styles. The root rake grapple (which I love) and the BMG style 'dangle' grapple because everybody says they are the best thing since sliced bread. After 9 months I sold the BMG style grapple because I had only used it twice. In the last 4 years I have had about 1-2 times per year I wish I had it, but not enough to justify the expense or space on the trailer.

I'm just the opposite. I prefer the dangle grapple, but maybe it's because of the way I load.

 

[Nutball]

I think the disadvantages of the dangle grapple are far more numerous than the Vermeer non-dangle style. I haven't tried throwing much with the Vermeer grapple, the dangle does that pretty well, but the VG is so useful, I can get into trouble with it easily. I picked up a whole small tree, too big to lift and big enough to tip the machine, by turning into the wind to help drive under it until I had it balanced vertical, then was able to get it way up to a burn pile. Precision loading logs into a chip truck is another use for it. The need for the dangle to be held higher decreases stability. I can easily turn a load of brush if maneuvering around tight corners with the VG. It would only get better with a button on the control panel for locking and unlocking it's ability to rotate.

 

[SeanKroll]

how does the lock/ unlock operate?

 

[cory]

I picked up a whole small tree, too big to lift and big enough to tip the machine, by turning into the wind to help drive under it until I had it balanced vertical,

Now that's some good chit, using brother cold wind to help with the machine!

 

[cory]

@Mick!

GIBBS 1/2 in Stainless Steel Shell Ascender - Rock-N-Arbor

Designed for scenarios involving live loads

www.rocknarbor.com

 

[Mick!]

@Mick!

GIBBS 1/2 in Stainless Steel Shell Ascender - Rock-N-Arbor

Designed for scenarios involving live loads

www.rocknarbor.com

Ok thanks.

 

[Nutball]

how does the lock/ unlock operate?

Currently, jump off the machine, run around to the front, and either lift and twist to unlock free rotation, or twist and let go to lock it. It's a little spring loaded pin that locks the grapple in one of I think 8 positions. One jaw is heavier than the other, so gravity, among other forces, allow for automatic rotation just by tilting it. The only major drawback is that the hydraulic lines are located on top, such that when feeding a chipper, it is quite easy to puncture a line on the chipper's winch that extends over the chute.

 

[SeanKroll]

Thanks