Valmet 430FXL.......the good and the bad!!!

[Big Rooster]

Getting ready to purchase an 2008 Valmet FXL......anyones thoughts or experiences with like models either good or bad!!!!

[Riwaka]

What were the other machines available? Condition of the undercarriage? does the 430 have a wide angle rotate quadco etc
Manufacturing moved to Tennessee in 2009
http://forestnet.com/LSJissues/Oct_2010/tech_update.php

http://www.andersonequip.com/web/files/MfrModelDocs/KAF-430FXFXL.broc.pdf
valmet 430fxl

https://youtu.be/5YsyUfAcHDI   

[chevytaHOE5674]

Buncher or processor head?

[Big Rooster]

Currently a buncher and now gonna convert to a harvester with waratah 470 with a south fork squirt boom.  Machine has 9000 hrs and is in top shape, I personally know the owner fairly well.  ....Thoughts?

[Skeans1]

Currently a buncher and now gonna convert to a harvester with waratah 470 with a south fork squirt boom.  Machine has 9000 hrs and is in top shape, I personally know the owner fairly well.  ....Thoughts?

Just for giggles is the machine out in the PNW?
One thing I've never cared for especially for thinning running a 425 leveler was not having a full 360 cab turn. How are parts to get for the older Timbco stuff a buddy has an older 415 and has to have some parts machined because they are no longer made. At 9000 hours has the rotex been placed? If not being a buncher the rotex sees more stress then on a harvester which could mean it's towards the end of it's life. One thing I'd bring with you and plug is a 10k & 5k hydraulic gauge just to check pump condition, in the Timbco days they used Linde which wasn't known for being a long lasting pump.
For heads have you checked into others such as a Sp761? Only reason I ask is there's a few out here looking at them everything is well guarded as well as heavy built, knives, main structure, and feed wheel arms are all cast.

[Riwaka]

Tigercat LH830 at 18 000 hours   (have close look over an equivalent TC (hours condition etc) if there are examples not too far away)
https://youtu.be/YmNk9ITizP4

[lil dude]

Was hoping someone actually owns one.  2008 is not exactly old for me and parts are readily available. 

Used Tigercat tilt carrier harvester are few and far between, shoot you gotta wait over a year to get a new one?  And new purchases will not fit with my business model!

So anyone own one.  They've worked out most of the kinks with overheating etc by the fxl model years I believe.

[CTL logger]

Getting ready to purchase an 2008 Valmet FXL......anyones thoughts or experiences with like models either good or bad!!!!

If you really want to hear it I owned a 2010 430fxl it was good the first couple years at 3000 hrs the front idler seized up, Komatsu would do nothing about it not even sell it at cost. I've always run it as a processor machine undercarriage is supposed to last a long time running over brush all the time. At 4500 hrs track pins were so worn they links would come apart break bolts, pads falling off they promised me when i bought it if the undercarriage didn't last they'd replace it. Well when all this happened they said you should be happy you got that much out of it. I wasn't! Then the other idler froze up, main pump blew apart. Then it burnt up last summer I'm not going to say I was too upset. Running 735 Timberpro now it's twice the machine as the 430 was.