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Yes, it is you and Andy to whom I'm referring. I don't post often here, but it's mainly because any genuine criticism of the Trump regime is simply disregarded as TDS, lefty whining, woke agenda etc etc. I think we can both agree that the Dems have been absolutely useless in recent years. Genuinely in the realms of chocolate fireguard useless. I think we can also agree that whatever a well functioning democracy is, the USA is not it. And I will freely admit that I have been pretty shocked by how ineffective Labour have been in actually implementing any meaningful change. And saddened by how they have distanced themselves from some of the socially responsible policies that have always underlined Labour politics. My honest opinion is that the Western World is utterly f**ked. Wealth is being concentrated in the hands of fewer and fewer people and it really feels like a great many people engage with democracy like turkeys voting for Christmas. Social media, AI and algorithms compartmentalise people into their own echo chambers and so many people become easy to manipulate. I am not for a minute saying that you or Andy fall into that category. You're both a million miles from stupid - I just disagree with you fundamentally on just about everything politically. Pivoting back to Trump and his cronies - he is symptomatic of our times. A depraved, dishonest reality TV star, appealing to the base values of a great many Americans who aspirationally place a greater value on wealth than anything else. They overlook his great, GREAT many faults because he is who they want to be. Wealthy, arrogant, shameless and without a hint of self awareness, he is the twisted 21st century embodiment of the American dream. Again, I'm not suggesting that's the reason you are supportive of him, but I believe that many of his voters fall into that category. Fundamentally, I just miss the times when there were less objectionable people in politics. George W Bush as an example - I disagreed with his politics, but I always felt that he meant well and wasn't in the Oval office for dishonourable reasons. I do try to assume the best in people, I fight the inevitability of cynicism and try to play a part in a more optimistic and hopeful world. These days, it feels like swimming against an increasingly strong current though.

I noticed myself resting the saw on my right leg while undercutting yesterday, feels completely natural to take the weight off the arms. Was using my Mak 9010 which weighs as much as a small car, only way you can do it really.

You've summed it up pretty well. Personally I would much prefer it if arbtalk was a site full of arborists sharing questions and ideas, like it used to be. These days forums seem to be a place for arguing with other strangers behind pseudonyms on topics completely unrelated to the forum. Damn shame. I've met a good few friends and undeniably furthered my career with the help of this forum. I can't see how that's happening for new posters these days.

I learned politics from him and Ron Swanson.

a feckin' sight better than a creaky old bastard with an axe. and dead easy to convert to single lever operation.

I take people as i find them . However the does seem to be as old feller says . But you can't escape the UK issues , that we cant keep out illegal tossers , like Nigel says we aren't the world's food bank. The dinghy dwellers do not contribute , we also need a shake up of benefits , drug takers and the criminal justice system ... also no pandering to pride and cak like that

I think the UK is close to finished. Not yet though:

So that's a yes?

UK is finished, decent working people are being shafted by labor, and previously by tories, reform won't cure the problem as no matter how much sugar you put on sh1t, it's still sh1t. they will all lie to us to get in power then line their pockets in the relatively short time they have, because being the "opposition" is easy, just disagree with whoever is in the hot seat. and when they get their chance they bend us over and it's just a different prick. to be honest some of the feckers on here could start an argument in an empty room, and seem to search the forums for somebody to attack, and often for some long lost dispute from years ago. the way things are going at the moment within this country I'll wager any forum that has a section that covers politics is much the same. the country is sick to death of immigrant invasion, rape gangs, bent politicians, cover up after cover up, is it any wonder discord is rife. you can ban people, you can ban discussion on this or any other forum, but you cant cure the problem by ignoring it, hiding it, or hiding from it, people will feel the same, division will still exist. just my opinion, there are others.

so you're mainly on about threads in the lounge - don't usually see much political hate in the tree health care, cimber's talk or large equipment threads. Wouldn't the lounge be better if the chat was all lovely, convivial, fraternizing even? Hi, I'm pleasant and nice & so are you!

Genuine question.

Well, I never new that.

That’s good to hear, although I’m happy to sacrifice splitting power for more compact size. I’ve muddled through with a 7t for years! What’s the ram speed like?

That is all it is, or you can leave a willow stem in water and it will have the same effect for cuttings that grow from water

I have the very same model and I agree 100%, starts 1st pull, works all day and nothing has beaten it yet.

I have the 22ton road tow splitter with table. Never found anything it could not split. Use it horizontally in the yard, occasionally in vertical mode on site for rings that need making smaller to allow moving by hand if we can’t get bigger machinery in. It sips petrol slowly. I rate it highly.

Seriously? I really want that to be true, but I've a feeling you're pulling my plonker.

Cracking program. Quietly, competently funny. Underrated I thought. Maybe because it was so understated.

Interested how it compares with motor in the head. That nob sticking out is going to catch on things, I think.

I need to upgrade my tired old hydraulic log splitter, and my budget would just about stretch to the 15 tonne petrol C-Series. I’ve never seen one in action, and the videos seem a bit hit and miss. When splitting horizontally the controls seem a bit of a ballache, twin handles nowhere near the log? Some videos show the ram speed as painfully slow as well. Are they more user-friendly in real life? Can they be converted to one handle easily enough? I’m used to my vertical splitter. My mate has the Oxdale SE400 which is fantastic but too big and too expensive for my needs. Any input/alternatives appreciated. Must be petrol. Thanks.

It's interesting. Part of my training on 30/31 was to lock your elbow in to your body/thigh to provide stability. I don't see what Stubby was doing as being any different.