Hi Alex good to see you found your way here.
As for me being the font of knowledge when it comes to ducks! that is up for debate but I will help where I can.
Must admit I cannot place interaction with you via FB but that said I have a habit of responding to a question or comment without necessarily checking or noting who I'm interacting with, so don't take it personally
but by same token don't be offended if you get same shite repeated
Biggest concern I have is when someone mentions a duck BUT has no knowledge of what axle locks are!
It happens a lot lately mainly due to lads hearing that there is more money to be earned driving a duck so they'll give it a go!
ANY duck you get on, once you've got it started BUT before you try using it, find out how the axle locks work! Generally ( I have yet to be shown otherwise) there are 3 settings.
1) OFF! they do not lock irrespective of what you do.
2) Will LOCK when the foot brake is applied, generally the pedal will have a catch to hold it in the applied position) Be aware some machines have an AUTO lock foot brake which will hold the machine UNTIL you touch the travel pedal.
3) LOCKED this is the position for lift and carry duties, working cross carriage on hard surface such as a road etc.
The problem in position 3, is if you mount the kerb for example with 1 wheel, you will loose traction on the other diagonal as a wheel has lifted. Thumping the unlock button will not necessarily be a good move or actually work, depending on how much pressure is in the system and where you centre of gravity is.
Its when you are in position 2 cross carriage or with a suspended load, bucket in the air etc and you release the foot brake (touch travel with auto braking ) that axle lock releases, machine goes over until it hits the stops ( if unlucky the momentum and gravity will keep it going) your arse takes the biggest bite of seat foam its ever encountered and your life flashes before you like a slow motion silent movie.
Yes, been there, done that, got the T shirt and watched the movie! several times!
Last time, not long ago when front wheel slipped off edge of concrete carriageway while I had a trench box on the forks! Result of being stressed & frustrated. NOT recommended on any plant and certainly not on a duck.
TYRES! Pays your money and takes your choice. It really does come down to budget if we're honest. Irrespective of what we want, its what we can afford that decides.
Personally I advise anybody buying new to spec tubeless from the factory, it gives you so many more options of tyre choice. We can discuss those options should it become relevant.
Twins or singles? again sort out your market place, roads, fields, minimal tramping, lots of tramping, etc, etc. Many will have a different opinion for different reasons.
For me its twins, whether Brandenmark or another make.
BOOM! VA every time, Variable Angle / Two Piece / call it what you will but it gives a much better working envelope, increased lift capacity and a much wider market come sale time.
Dipper! You have a tiltrotator. It's not hard to imagine what happens if you stick a tilty on end of a long dipper, on rubber tyres without adding counterweight!
Don't ask about makes, you'll start world war 3 and thats just the base machine
My only question is, WHY have you considered a wide undercarriage?
another lock been started from scratch and completed in the time I’ve been absent. 
, will try and find a pic of it if I can.
