Vehicle for working on steep terrain.

[blueST]

I'm hoping some of you off-road gurus might have experienced or seen something suitable on your travels. I recently acquired a bit over an acre of very steep land that I want to be able to mow, get round it to maintain the fence and move stuff like logs around. First thought was a quad because they're cheap and can tow a mower or trailer, but it's just too steep to be safe I think. If I tried to traverse the hill I reckon I would be off.

So, any suggestion for a small cheap vehicle that could work on a steep gradient. Does not need to be road legal. Max budget would be £2k but don't mind something old and I can do my own maintenance.

[Sarge 4x4]

Jimny.

[blueST]

That might not be a bad idea. They look very narrow though, are they ok on side slopes?

[agent006]

How about something really odd

[blueST]

agent006 said:

How about something really odd

I had spotted that the other day, could be just the trick. That trailer looks a bit, err, special!

[furrywoolyhatuk]

I was going to add make sure it's got a role cage what ever you end up getting.

[blueST]

furrywoolyhatuk said:

I was going to add make sure it's got a role cage what ever you end up getting.

I'll not argue with that, good advice.

There's a company called Scottrac that make 8x8 skid steer things that look ideal, but they are rare and too expensive. There's one on EBay that looked okay but it's gone above my budget.

[Hugo a Gogo]

this the fella
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scot-trac-Argocat-Utilty...

[Mandat]

agent006 said:

How about something really odd

who needs some frunt wates?

[camel_landy]

Before you get the creative juices of every one here, flowing... Might I suggest you actually measure the slope?

If it's too steep, roll cage or not, the only safe way would be to do it on foot or get some sheep!

M

[blueST]

Hugo a Gogo said:

this the fella
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Scot-trac-Argocat-Utilty...

That's the one. It stayed tantalisingly close to £1500 for a while but the bidding has started to pick up.

[blueST]

Mandat said:

agent006 said:

How about something really odd

who needs some frunt wates?

[blueST]

camel_landy said:

Before you get the creative juices of every one here, flowing... Might I suggest you actually measure the slope?

If it's too steep, roll cage or not, the only safe way would be to do it on foot or get some sheep!

M

I'm not really sure how to measure the gradient with any sort of accuracy without a theodolite. My estimate would be 20 to 30 degrees.

[camel_landy]

FWIW - I'd go for a quad.

However, instead of mowing by traversing the slope, it'll be far safer to simply go up & down the slope. A quad will probably be better for the ground too, as a 4x4 will just churn it up.

M

[normalbloke]

Donkey.

[sunbeam alpine]

camel_landy said:

FWIW - I'd go for a quad.

However, instead of mowing by traversing the slope, it'll be far safer to simply go up & down the slope. A quad will probably be better for the ground too, as a 4x4 will just churn it up.

M

^^^^
What he said - up and down's the way.

[blueST]

sunbeam alpine said:

camel_landy said:

FWIW - I'd go for a quad.

However, instead of mowing by traversing the slope, it'll be far safer to simply go up & down the slope. A quad will probably be better for the ground too, as a 4x4 will just churn it up.

M

^^^^
What he said - up and down's the way.

This is the most obvious choice, but it's not ideal. It could be quite annoying to have to go all the way to the bottom and come back just do something a short way down. It might be better if I could find someone with a quad already, who could come and test it out on my hill, see how suitable it is. Ive ridden a few quads and I can't get on with the handling, the way they dive onto the outside front wheel is very disconcerting. I found it mildly scary on adverse slopes far gentler than mine.

[mcjimny]

How high is the hill? Would it be easier to have something like a flail attachment on a tractor? Will serve all your towing and shifting needs.

Still, id get sheep!

[blueST]

mcjimny said:

How high is the hill? Would it be easier to have something like a flail attachment on a tractor? Will serve all your towing and shifting needs.

Still, id get sheep!

It drops about 20m vertically over 100m horizontally, but the gradient is not uniform. For my meagre budget I wouldn't get much of a tractor/flail combo I don't think.

Keeping livestock isn't really my thing, like things with engines!

[Boobonman]

Roughly where in the country is your land situated? I've got a jimny you could try, or a quad!