j lewis hooklift trailers,

[DanT171]

Hi looking at ordering a tri axle hooklift of j lewis and wondered if anyone on here had seen his products about, or dealt with him, and even better running a tri axle hooklift trailer of his??
Thanks

 

[Derky]

I would stick to mainstream hooklift. Krampe or stronga.

 

[ollandroverman]

Are you sure you want a tri-axle? Unless you have steering axle/axles you will make a right mess when turning.

The Lewis trailers look to impose one heck of a large load on the pickup hitch.

 

[DanT171]

Hi yes

Are you sure you want a tri-axle? Unless you have steering axle/axles you will make a right mess when turning.

The Lewis trailers look to impose one heck of a large load on the pickup hitch.

Hi yes I thought the same hence I was looking at tri axle one I run 2 tri axle bale trailers and a low loader and there not too bad for mess depending on how you turn but what ever mess they make is far out weighed by there stability IMO.

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

I would stick to mainstream hooklift. Krampe or stronga.

Krampe probably are still the cream of the crop.

I noticed there is now a UK importer (*Yorkshire based I think) for the ITRunner units from B.O.B in Italy, looked a decent "value" proposition to the two big established brands, when I was looking into them, and saw them exhibit at AT back in 2013.

 

[DanT171]

Is anyone on here aware of a member, or local to them contractor running a j lewis hooklift trailer?
Thanks

 

[Robt]

Have you looked at BigAb? Call Tom he will sort you out

 

[ollandroverman]

I would like to recommend a Metcalf hooklift trailer. My friend runs two and has just bought a third one. He is an agent for them.
Every one is a beautifully engineered customer specific build to whatever specification you choose, and you get a higher spec for your money.

 

[DanT171]

I would like to recommend a Metcalf hooklift trailer. My friend runs two and has just bought a third one. He is an agent for them.
Every one is a beautifully engineered customer specific build to whatever specification you choose, and you get a higher spec for your money.

Have they got a website? As just googled Metcalf hooklifts and couldn't find anything. I'll be honest I haven't heard of them.

 

[ProDrive]

http://www.mccauleys.co.uk/products/agricultural/hooklift-machinery

 

[ollandroverman]

Have they got a website? As just googled Metcalf hooklifts and couldn't find anything. I'll be honest I haven't heard of them.

Unfortunately no website. John Metcalfe, Crook hall, Kendal. He is a bit of a local best kept secret. A few on here will know him.
@elub for one i believe.

 

[ollandroverman]

As far as i can see, John Metcalfe's hooklifts are the only ones that have suspension locks on the rear axle to prevent the rear of your tractor from lifting when loading a heavy body.

 

[Robt]

Is this lock onto a rocking beam? If so big ab do also.
Is it onto a leaf spring? If so I thought this would damage them?
Long time since I sold BigAb so this may not still be case

 

[warksfarmer]

For what it’s worth having sold both new and refurbished ones any hooklift using refurbished parts such as hook arms and axles on newly built chassis are generally fine ableit slightly slow operating because the hook arms are ex hgv so oil requirement is higher than that of the brand new ones made for agricultural use.

As long as they are priced accordingly then go for it. They want to be about 60% price of a new one really in my opinion to make then a viable option because new ones will hold serious residual value where as refurbs generally don’t.

Biggest thing is make sure the hook is CHEM spec which is what uk containers are made to (this is the distance of the bale bar the hook attaches to to the floor but mainly the distance between the runners sat under the containers). I found none CHEM spec machines are virtually worthless in this country bar the occasional oddball looking for one.

As for suspension locks, these should be standard if using parabolic springs or rocking beam axles for the reasons already mentioned. However hooklift’s should ideally be on air suspension as you then don’t need the locks as all you do is fit a dump valve to drop the air out of the bags when lifting containers on as the chassis then sits down onto the axle.

 

[DanT171]

For what it’s worth having sold both new and refurbished ones any hooklift using refurbished parts such as hook arms and axles on newly built chassis are generally fine ableit slightly slow operating because the hook arms are ex hgv so oil requirement is higher than that of the brand new ones made for agricultural use.

As long as they are priced accordingly then go for it. They want to be about 60% price of a new one really in my opinion to make then a viable option because new ones will hold serious residual value where as refurbs generally don’t.

Biggest thing is make sure the hook is CHEM spec which is what uk containers are made to (this is the distance of the bale bar the hook attaches to to the floor but mainly the distance between the runners sat under the containers). I found none CHEM spec machines are virtually worthless in this country bar the occasional oddball looking for one.

As for suspension locks, these should be standard if using parabolic springs or rocking beam axles for the reasons already mentioned. However hooklift’s should ideally be on air suspension as you then don’t need the locks as all you do is fit a dump valve to drop the air out of the bags when lifting containers on as the chassis then sits down onto the axle.

Thanks for the advice,

 

[Chapelton]

Have a look at HM Trailers - we could never justify a European machine so it made sense to go new build with a used hook. There are things the Euro machines do better (like the tipping speed Lee mentioned) but at half the price of a used Krampe I can live with that.

 

[atlas]

Went to look at a tandem axle hook trailer at j lewis trailer week and they look well made and a low height compared with a lot he had a tri axle on the yard he was finishing off . I think they look good value compared with main stream brands I think the tri axle with sheeting system was £17 k

 

[DanT171]

 

[DanT171]

 

[DanT171]

It arrived on tues night after being 3 weeks late. Seems well finished not had a full load on it yet just 5 empty bins. Very low ride height and strong. Down side is tho not a ot of ground clearance but will see how it performs this week. Follow my page on fb if you want to see more its Ag.CC. thanks