New to the forum.

[njc110381]

Hi Chaps.

 

I'm new here so I thought my first post should be a quick note to let you all know a bit about me. My name's Neil and I'm a 29yo self employed landscaper from Gloucestershire. I do a bit of small felling and have my basic small felling ticket but I'm pretty limited when it comes to real Arb work. I usually pass it on as it's too skilled for me!

 

For the tree side of my work I run a Land Rover Hi Cap and a small Entec Truckloder chipper for clearing and heavy pruning. Chainsaws are a Husky pole saw and Stihl MS660 And 200T (don't shout at me, I know it needs careful handling!).

 

I stumbled across the forum when I was looking at Unimogs. I want to buy an older one as a toy and thought that as they have a PTO I may as well make use of it on a small scale for work. Now I know it's not going to make me much money because I can't use it all the time but as I said, it's a toy too and toys cost money!

 

I'm off to have a read and maybe post a few questions so thanks for reading and I look forward to getting to know you all. I'll try to keep the newbie daft questions to a minimum but can't promise there wont be any!

[Stephen Blair]

fire away any questions you like mate, thats what this place is for. mogs are awesome, if you get one and a pto chipper your landy and entec will gather dust mate, welcome aboard, great first post:thumbup1:

[welwell]

Welcome and Happy Easter

[tractorboy1]

fire away any questions you like mate, thats what this place is for. mogs are awesome, if you get one and a pto chipper your landy and entec will gather dust mate, welcome aboard, great first post:thumbup1:

 

Except when the mog is broken down:001_tt2:

[njc110381]

Broken down? Yeah right! I assume you've never owned a Land Rover then?

 

The more complicated your kit the more it will break and the more it will cost to fix. At least Merc build quality is pretty good and it shouldn't happen too often.

 

I used to drive a 2wd pickup when I was employed. Ok it was reliable but I can't count the number of hours spent trying to push it out of a slightly sloped field with dew on the grass! It was a joke! I recon the time spent pushing and the time not spent working because we were stuck would have easily paid for a 4x4! Maybe not a Mog mind but why go through life being sensible? There's little point getting to the end and lining your box with £50s when some cheap foam would be just as comfortable!

[Frank]

Now then mate. Welcome.

Just a quicky, not having a go, BUT you say you only do small felling and have basic ticket. Sooooo.........why do you need to run an MS660 and a "climbing" saw. What practical use have either of these specialist saws got for you????

There are lots of other saws available that will be much more suited to the work you are doing and dare I say safer.

Dont want to sound so negative but thats what this site is for, your in the right place for practical advise, and mine would be swap the saws for an Ms260 or similar. As a self-employed person you will be aware that its your business name on the line and under scrutiny if (heaven forbid) there were to be an accident using improper tools for the job.

 

On a lighter note, welcome once again.

[njc110381]

I know what you mean regarding the saws. They are the models I've found that suit me best. I did have an MS260 as a mid range saw but sold it as I didn't use it once I had the 200T!

 

I use the 200T for most jobs, pruning branches etc. I work off of low ladders quite a lot (maybe up to ten feet or so) and found that a one handed saw was ideal. As long as you understand them and respect them they're ok. Using two hands on the saw whilst standing on a ladder is in my mind more dangerous than one hand on the saw and one on the tree/ladder! I bought it because I was planning to do the medium section felling certificate but never grew the balls to actually get up there! I hate heights! I may try it in the future as I know a guy who is an NPTC/LANTRA instructor. He's taught me a lot but I just can't face getting high enough to pass the test!

 

The 660 I bought because I had a lot of big timber to deal with. I have a 3' bar for it which I've used on a couple of fallen Beech trees on a mates farm. I also have a 25" bar and an 18" bar which I use the most. I just like the speed it cuts when I'm doing firewood! With the short bar it's very stable in use but cuts really fast!

 

EDIT... Haha, I just read your signature! I am listening, promise! Is using a high powered saw with a small bar really that bad?

Edited April 4, 2010 by njc110381

[arbclimber]

I know what you mean regarding the saws. They are the models I've found that suit me best. I did have an MS260 as a mid range saw but sold it as I didn't use it once I had the 200T!

 

I use the 200T for most jobs, pruning branches etc. I work off of low ladders quite a lot (maybe up to ten feet or so) and found that a one handed saw was ideal. As long as you understand them and respect them they're ok. Using two hands on the saw whilst standing on a ladder is in my mind more dangerous than one hand on the saw and one on the tree/ladder! I bought it because I was planning to do the medium section felling certificate but never grew the balls to actually get up there! I hate heights! I may try it in the future as I know a guy who is an NPTC/LANTRA instructor. He's taught me a lot but I just can't face getting high enough to pass the test!

 

The 660 I bought because I had a lot of big timber to deal with. I have a 3' bar for it which I've used on a couple of fallen Beech trees on a mates farm. I also have a 25" bar and an 18" bar which I use the most. I just like the speed it cuts when I'm doing firewood! With the short bar it's very stable in use but cuts really fast!

 

EDIT... Haha, I just read your signature! I am listening, promise! Is using a high powered saw with a small bar really that bad?

 

Hi, A gardener who bought a 200t cos its easier to use one handed up a ladder:thumbdown: I'm surprised you haven't been slaughtered on here already.

[skyhuck]

I know what you mean regarding the saws. They are the models I've found that suit me best. I did have an MS260 as a mid range saw but sold it as I didn't use it once I had the 200T!

 

I use the 200T for most jobs, pruning branches etc. I work off of low ladders quite a lot (maybe up to ten feet or so) and found that a one handed saw was ideal. As long as you understand them and respect them they're ok. Using two hands on the saw whilst standing on a ladder is in my mind more dangerous than one hand on the saw and one on the tree/ladder! I bought it because I was planning to do the medium section felling certificate but never grew the balls to actually get up there! I hate heights! I may try it in the future as I know a guy who is an NPTC/LANTRA instructor. He's taught me a lot but I just can't face getting high enough to pass the test!

 

The 660 I bought because I had a lot of big timber to deal with. I have a 3' bar for it which I've used on a couple of fallen Beech trees on a mates farm. I also have a 25" bar and an 18" bar which I use the most. I just like the speed it cuts when I'm doing firewood! With the short bar it's very stable in use but cuts really fast!

 

EDIT... Haha, I just read your signature! I am listening, promise! Is using a high powered saw with a small bar really that bad?

 

Unreal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Its no wonder accident figure for saw use are so high.

 

Its just REALLY, REALLY annoying that when you injure or kill yourself, it will go on our industries accident figures, that will bring in a load more red tape that we have to abide by and you seem oblivious to :banghead:

Edited April 5, 2010 by skyhuck

[arbclimber]

Unreal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Its no wonder accident figure for saw use are so high.

 

Its just REALLY, REALLY annoying that when you injure or kill yourself, it will go on our industries accident figures, that will bring in a load more red tape they we have to abide by and you seem oblivious to :banghead:

 

Calm down mate, he doesn't use it above 10 ft on a ladder and its a one handed saw so he will be fine:001_tt2: