S

Steve Firth

Guest

I'm interested in buying one or more of the following;

A 4x4 quad bike (for farm use)
An Argo 6x6 or 8x8 or similar (eg Max)

or possible a tracked vehicle.

This is for use on a farm where the slope on the land exceeds 45 degrees
in places, indeed there are some sections where I can only manage to
climb by descending to hands and knees.


Any recommendations? Finding information on this stuff on the web seems
to be difficult particularly when it comes to finding statements about
the slope that these vehicles will tackle and payload.

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"Steve Firth" <usenet-urcx4@malloc.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1g3t9y5.119tvcvluxznqN%%steve%@malloc.co.uk...
>
> I'm interested in buying one or more of the following;
>
> A 4x4 quad bike (for farm use)
> An Argo 6x6 or 8x8 or similar (eg Max)
>
> or possible a tracked vehicle.
>
> This is for use on a farm where the slope on the land exceeds 45 degrees
> in places, indeed there are some sections where I can only manage to
> climb by descending to hands and knees.
>
>
> Any recommendations? Finding information on this stuff on the web seems
> to be difficult particularly when it comes to finding statements about
> the slope that these vehicles will tackle and payload.
>
> --
> Having problems understanding usenet? Or do you simply need help but
> are getting unhelpful answers? Subscribe to: uk.net.beginners for
> friendly advice in a flame-free environment.

Can't help you much with a choice of vehicle but your land sounds
interesting. Is there enough of it for a 4X4 trial and would you be prepared
to rent it out to a 4X4 club if there is?
You probably know about this one already but you'll find Argocats on sale
here: http://www.4x4mag.co.uk/magclass.html

Simon H


 
I use a Honda 1998 TRX300FWW on my mums farm, and I've taken it up 45*
slopes and scoot around the bogs in the bottoms of the valleys. I use it for
work rather than fun, but it is good for carrying loads of stuff around and
unloaded is a great fun bike.

This is a 300cc permanent 4WD bike, the new 400cc automatics can cover the
same terrain, have far higher top speeds and can be used as either autos, or
as manuals with electric shift for the hard parts.

the 8x8 argo can be fitted with a rubber band around the wheels and since it
uses skid steering anyway, hey presto, a tracked vehicle.

Some of the farm here are steep enough that you have to haul yourself up by
the trunks of the brush growing on the slopes, think 15* from vertical,
other areas are flat enough for hay, we've got a bit of everything

rhys (another Firth)

"Steve Firth" <usenet-urcx4@malloc.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1g3t9y5.119tvcvluxznqN%%steve%@malloc.co.uk...
>
> I'm interested in buying one or more of the following;
>
> A 4x4 quad bike (for farm use)
> An Argo 6x6 or 8x8 or similar (eg Max)
>
> or possible a tracked vehicle.
>
> This is for use on a farm where the slope on the land exceeds 45 degrees
> in places, indeed there are some sections where I can only manage to
> climb by descending to hands and knees.
>
>
> Any recommendations? Finding information on this stuff on the web seems
> to be difficult particularly when it comes to finding statements about
> the slope that these vehicles will tackle and payload.
>
> --
> Having problems understanding usenet? Or do you simply need help but
> are getting unhelpful answers? Subscribe to: uk.net.beginners for
> friendly advice in a flame-free environment.


 
Simon H <spamreturnedtenfold@btopenworld.com> wrote:

> Can't help you much with a choice of vehicle but your land sounds
> interesting. Is there enough of it for a 4X4 trial and would you be prepared
> to rent it out to a 4X4 club if there is?

Two real problems with that, one is that it's not in England - although
I know that may be an attraction in itself and more importantly I'm
signed up to an EU conservation agreement where I promise to maintain
the land to an agreed conservation standard to promote the growth of
orchids during the fallow year. Also you might find the numerous olive
trees a little obstructive.

I only tackle the slope in the Explorer when it's dry. There's a 200ft
cliff at the foot of the land and I don't want to see what happens if a
vehicle rolls or fails to find traction in the wet.


> You probably know about this one already but you'll find Argocats on sale
> here: http://www.4x4mag.co.uk/magclass.html

Thanks, I didn't know about that. I found Bombardier ('kin expensive)
and the Argo main dealer's site (no prices).

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rnf2 <rnf2@NOSPAMwaikato.ac.nz> wrote:

> I use a Honda 1998 TRX300FWW on my mums farm, and I've taken it up 45*
> slopes and scoot around the bogs in the bottoms of the valleys. I use it for
> work rather than fun, but it is good for carrying loads of stuff around and
> unloaded is a great fun bike.
>
> This is a 300cc permanent 4WD bike, the new 400cc automatics can cover the
> same terrain, have far higher top speeds and can be used as either autos, or
> as manuals with electric shift for the hard parts.
>
> the 8x8 argo can be fitted with a rubber band around the wheels and since it
> uses skid steering anyway, hey presto, a tracked vehicle.

Thanks, I need something to haul olives up the slopes, mostly and since
the lowest extent of the land is mixed woodland something that I can use
to bring up firewood. Olives are loaded into 40kg crates and we pick up
to a dozen a day. Moving them by hand is *very* tedious on the slopes we
have.

> Some of the farm here are steep enough that you have to haul yourself up by
> the trunks of the brush growing on the slopes, think 15* from vertical,
> other areas are flat enough for hay, we've got a bit of everything

That's a fair description of my land also. We farm in the foothills of
the Apennines in Italy. The lowest section is woodland with no easy way
in. There is a track but it's as you describe, near vertical and the
only vehicle we have had down there is a New Holland caterpillar tractor
(borrowed from a neighbour).

> rhys (another Firth)

My heart goes out to you. Last time I looked up the origins of the name
I found that we are a famous bunch of sheep-stealers from the Scottish
Borders.

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Steve Firth wrote:
>
> rnf2 <rnf2@NOSPAMwaikato.ac.nz> wrote:
>
> > I use a Honda 1998 TRX300FWW on my mums farm, and I've taken it up 45*
> > slopes and scoot around the bogs in the bottoms of the valleys. I use it for
> > work rather than fun, but it is good for carrying loads of stuff around and
> > unloaded is a great fun bike.
> >
> > This is a 300cc permanent 4WD bike, the new 400cc automatics can cover the
> > same terrain, have far higher top speeds and can be used as either autos, or
> > as manuals with electric shift for the hard parts.
> >
> > the 8x8 argo can be fitted with a rubber band around the wheels and since it
> > uses skid steering anyway, hey presto, a tracked vehicle.
>
> Thanks, I need something to haul olives up the slopes, mostly and since
> the lowest extent of the land is mixed woodland something that I can use
> to bring up firewood. Olives are loaded into 40kg crates and we pick up
> to a dozen a day. Moving them by hand is *very* tedious on the slopes we
> have.
>


My Honda TRX 350 is rated to carry 60kg on the rear rack, 30 kg on the
front. Will tow , from memory, 350 kg.
I use it on my farm which has plenty of 45 degree and steeper slopes.
Much better than a Defender in all respects except you get wet when it
rains and it won't carry as much, but it's surprising how many fence
posts you can strap to it!
It will certainly go up steep stuff, and much better than my Landy on
the wet bits cos it doesn't sink. You have to watch traversing, I think
I tend to risk more on the bike because I can lean my body more to
compensate. The Landy feels like it's going to tip on a 20 degree slope,
even though it should be safe steeper than that. Roll an ATV and you've
got every chance of snapping your neck of course.
 
Rob <rjc4687@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Roll an ATV and you've got every chance of snapping your neck of course.

Yes we had that example with Rik Mayall here. Sadly he survived the
accident.

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"Steve Firth" <usenet-urcx4@malloc.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1g3uj5k.wch9k3it1yl2N%%steve%@malloc.co.uk...
> rnf2 <rnf2@NOSPAMwaikato.ac.nz> wrote:
>
> > I use a Honda 1998 TRX300FWW on my mums farm, and I've taken it up 45*
> > slopes and scoot around the bogs in the bottoms of the valleys. I use it
for
> > work rather than fun, but it is good for carrying loads of stuff around
and
> > unloaded is a great fun bike.
> >
> > This is a 300cc permanent 4WD bike, the new 400cc automatics can cover
the
> > same terrain, have far higher top speeds and can be used as either
autos, or
> > as manuals with electric shift for the hard parts.
> >
> > the 8x8 argo can be fitted with a rubber band around the wheels and
since it
> > uses skid steering anyway, hey presto, a tracked vehicle.
>
> Thanks, I need something to haul olives up the slopes, mostly and since
> the lowest extent of the land is mixed woodland something that I can use
> to bring up firewood. Olives are loaded into 40kg crates and we pick up
> to a dozen a day. Moving them by hand is *very* tedious on the slopes we
> have.
>
> > Some of the farm here are steep enough that you have to haul yourself up
by
> > the trunks of the brush growing on the slopes, think 15* from vertical,
> > other areas are flat enough for hay, we've got a bit of everything
>
> That's a fair description of my land also. We farm in the foothills of
> the Apennines in Italy. The lowest section is woodland with no easy way
> in. There is a track but it's as you describe, near vertical and the
> only vehicle we have had down there is a New Holland caterpillar tractor
> (borrowed from a neighbour).
>
> > rhys (another Firth)
>
> My heart goes out to you. Last time I looked up the origins of the name
> I found that we are a famous bunch of sheep-stealers from the Scottish
> Borders.
>
Hmm.. For what you describe I'd suggest looking at a John Deere Gator 6x4 or
6x6. Their cargo deck is much larger and rated to carry more than the Quads,
they have more ability to tow larger loads on trailers and can tackle
steeper slopes with their longer frame, they don't have as much
wheel/suspension travel but are good cargo haulers.

Our farm is in New Zealand. a long way from Europe.. lol

As to the name, I have a Family coat of arms, one of the Firths from the
borders in my direct ancestry musta been a good chap, or known all the right
people...

rhys


 

"Steve Firth" <usenet-urcx4@malloc.co.uk> wrote in

> I'm interested in buying one or more of the following;
>
> A 4x4 quad bike (for farm use)
> An Argo 6x6 or 8x8 or similar (eg Max)
>
> or possible a tracked vehicle.
>

Hows the choice going? decided on anything

rhys


 
rnf2 <rnf2@NOSPAMwaikato.ac.nz> wrote:

> Hows the choice going? decided on anything

Not yet. A Quad bike looks like being the best option I like the idea of
the Argo but there are few dealers and few s/h examples around. The
Yamaha and Honda quads look OK and I should be able to get the spares OK
in the UK and in Italy.

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"Steve Firth" <usenet-urcx4@malloc.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1g447w6.pa1q857nctuzN%%steve%@malloc.co.uk...
> rnf2 <rnf2@NOSPAMwaikato.ac.nz> wrote:
>
> > Hows the choice going? decided on anything
>
> Not yet. A Quad bike looks like being the best option I like the idea of
> the Argo but there are few dealers and few s/h examples around. The
> Yamaha and Honda quads look OK and I should be able to get the spares OK
> in the UK and in Italy.
>

Do you have any specific price range? The Polaris ranger might suit if they
have them in the UK or Italy.
http://www.polarispowersports.com/rang/ranger4x4v.html

rhys


 
rnf2 <rnf2@NOSPAMwaikato.ac.nz> wrote:

> Do you have any specific price range?

Yes, less than a couple of thousand GBP. If it gets towards 9k GBP then
it's pointless because that's the cost of a tracked tractor.

> The Polaris ranger might suit if they
> have them in the UK or Italy.
> http://www.polarispowersports.com/rang/ranger4x4v.html

Ok, thanks. There are similar available here from Bombardier and a
company in the north I forget the name of.

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