Show us your Arb Diggers please.

[LGP Eddie]

I have worked out how to bring in sensible guidelines that at least ensure the base machine and Shear are compatible and the machine setup correctly for it’s intended use without massive hoops or needless expense.

 

Also the basics of a sensible course content for Operators of such setups.

 

Problem is where do you even start?

I’d have thought better to go to the HSE now and say these basic steps will go an awful long way to bringing more compliant setups and competent Operators, than await a tragic accident, with the inevitable heading off to the Forestry industry for an answer they won’t find there, as it’s a new industry Mechanised De-Vegetation.

 

At this point CPCS covers all attachments on a 360 and a Tree Shear is not a lifting appliance.

It should be tested under Puwer to give evidence that it’s in good order.

 

FMOC of no use whatsoever on any Rail or Highway project I’ve ever been on.

 

 

Eddie.

[monkeybusiness]

At some point there is a risk of a cut and hold shear operator grabbing too big a piece and pulling the machine over on a site where it would (rightly) be reported, or where the consequences lead to injury or worse on a site where it may otherwise not be reported for whatever reason...

At that point I’d imagine the powers-that-be may determine a cut and hold shear actually is a lifting appliance, and everything will become a lot more complicated (calculating potential applied load with a safety factor may lead to insistence on hugely oversized carrier machines - the weight of the shear itself is only a small part of the ‘lift plan’).

A recognised industry-accepted competency needs to become a reality before insurmountable red tape is forced upon us!

[LGP Eddie]

A Cut and Hold Shear is fine if the base machine is simply large enough to carry it and the bit between the levers and seat a reasonable level of competence.

 

To raise the factor of safety you lower the cut capacity and increase the carriers lifting capacity, either more weight or less reach.

 

I have worked out a very simple formula that each setup can be benchmarked against.

It ignores absolutely everything in terms of the machine spec/load chart etc and works with the actual setup presented for compliance inspection.

 

It’s never going to be perfect, but it would represent a massive leap forward in terms of safety and is extremely simple to understand/implement.

 

What it would also do is allow guys who don’t quite comply to have many options to do so without huge expense.

 

If anyone knows where to start I’m happy to sit down and put the case over.

 

 

Eddie.

[Stephen Blair]

This resulted in death.

the machine has been photoshopped in to let others see how it was caused.

avoid high stumps!

 

[swinny]

Could do with finding a cheap micro or mini digger in the next couple of months. 

 

Main job is to help us on a planting job we have coming up to dig trenches etc. 

 

Other uses would be use at home for renovation and landscaping and maybe go out with the stump grinder also to help clear or level the arrisings. 

 

Looking to spend 4-6k what can anyone recommend? Or any help thanks. Not a high budget and won't get used a lot at all to be fair 

[benedmonds]

14 minutes ago, swinny said:

Could do with finding a cheap micro or mini digger in the next couple of 

 

Looking to spend 4-6k what can anyone recommend? Or any help thanks. Not a high budget and won't get used a lot at all to be fair 

I am no expert but £4 to 6k sounds like quite a lot of hired in machine when needed or an old nail to buy..

[monkeybusiness]

Not worth financing a new Bobcat E10? 0% over 5 years, cost you about 35p per week!... 

[monkeybusiness]

4 hours ago, LGP Eddie said:

A Cut and Hold Shear is fine if the base machine is simply large enough to carry it and the bit between the levers and seat a reasonable level of competence.

 

To raise the factor of safety you lower the cut capacity and increase the carriers lifting capacity, either more weight or less reach.

 

I have worked out a very simple formula that each setup can be benchmarked against.

It ignores absolutely everything in terms of the machine spec/load chart etc and works with the actual setup presented for compliance inspection.

 

It’s never going to be perfect, but it would represent a massive leap forward in terms of safety and is extremely simple to understand/implement.

 

What it would also do is allow guys who don’t quite comply to have many options to do so without huge expense.

 

If anyone knows where to start I’m happy to sit down and put the case over.

 

 

Eddie.

It might be worth a chat with NPORS - they seem like a pretty forward- thinking training organisation (they offer a tilty qualification now). 

I’d imagine there might be a way for you to possibly monetise your idea if it is something that they could incorporate into a training course/qualification. 

[LGP Eddie]

I’m meaning working with HSE and get some basic guidelines in place, preferably before it ends up like the Climbing shit storm.

 

I’ve no interest in making money from it or card schemes.

I simply want some to pull their socks up a bit so nobody loses out long term.

 

 

Eddie.

[LGP Eddie]

Trip up the road literally to see the JCB sale.

Impressive line up of machines, beautifully presented ready for Tuesday.

 

The non CE marked for spares only row is always interesting, giving the odd clue what they’re working on.

 

Plenty in the spares for the odd project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eddie.

Edited September 20, 2019 by LGP Eddie