Pete Mctree

I would buy xtc for lightweight & natural crotch rigging. Nice to handle & abrasion/heat resistant so good for me - it makes a better rigging rope than a climbing line. A bit expensive these days though. I think that using old rope for rigging is dumb at the best

I see no benefits of this over using a portawrap or a safebloc. I’m sure it functions well but I see nothing unique.

I have been thinking about this tonight. I needed to make money in the woods & faced the same decision a few years ago. I simply did not like either of the 60cc range enough to buy one to take into the woods so, I just bought a stihl 441 & ran it on a 18". Yes, they weigh a bit more & the fuel costs are higher, but I trusted it to be reliable AND cut timber

If your in bigger timber perhaps you need to be using a bigger saw?

362cm is a great all round saw - it does everything you could ever ask of it, pulls an 18" with authority if needed (balances nicely). Nice for felling, snedding etc and is reliable too. However it does not scream and fly through the timber like a 560 or 562. The 560 is the live fast die young kind of saw, whereas the stihl is that steady dependable that lives at 90%. The choice between them is difficult as they are so different.

I initially hated the geckos as I bought them with Euro gaffs. Changed to shorts and immediately felt at home. I changed myspair pair on to long gaffs a few years ago & I am really impressed with them

Full fat, imported cougar blue & orange. Static enough for srt and good enough hand to revert to dDrt

Love my Burley !

I start loading & sorting at about 7am & try to leave 7.30ish

The two subbies I use have 15 & 35 years experience each & have enough tickets to be insurable for basic tasks. I give them similar money you ask for without hesitation in Yorkshire........

removed - not constructive

I have seen all forms of traffic management ignored. From red lights to physical barriers. It amazes me that irrespective of your control measures it will always be your fault if they evade it ? On this occasion there was no groundie throwing cones, his helmet, y-fronts & phone whilst screaming blue murder at the cyclist, so I can only guess they were too good to make a mistake & just slung a few cones out. Arseholes..........

Enjoyed that - some good work there

I can only sympathise about your staffing problems, but people rattle on about poor wages too much. The money paid should reflect the aptitude, ability & qualifications - without all three your never going to have much of a living from tree work. I have two subbies, both with limited earning abilities because they refuse to invest in themselves - both can graft & have excellent work ethics, however neither can climb ( be a rescuer), one has first aid & neither have medium/large trees. So what do I do? I am very limited on tasks that they can undertake & be insured doing them. I also have a couple of well trained inexperienced, clueless work shy fools I can use - the worst thing is that I sometimes have to bring one them along just to tick boxes. As for colleges and independent trainers, I look not at what they teach, but what they are asked to teach. The best instructors still have to follow the script. There is no magic wand with staff & luck seems to play a huge role in finding them. The best companies seem to have a balance of ages of staff, however it never fails to amaze me how one individual can drag the entire work force down & ruin the productivity & ethic of the other staff.

Nice Reg. some really organised work between the two of you.

The oil tank is built into the crank case & as far as I know they are available.

Looks very ungainly & too long for stem work. You have to question there market research on the product. In my mind the evolution is towards more compact devices to supersede the rope wrench.

Good job. I really like the "headache rack"

I understand your theory, but the reality could be a potential nightmare if used inappropriately. There are very few trees suited to working in there entirety with a basal anchor. Although it does give a positive opportunity for rescue, it also carries inherent risks, especially when rigging operations are involved. I really think we have to examine our own actions in to avoid accidents & also look at how to get ourselves out of trouble as opposed to relying on others.

Sadly, having a qualified climber onsite guarantees nothing other than insurance. There is a huge number of groundies who did there tickets & probably have not even put a harness on for 12 months, yet legally they are competent. It's a load of BS - you would bleed out whilst they remember which way round there spikes go on. This is the way of modern business- as long as the boxes are ticked nobody cares about anything other than profit. There are always exceptions to this, but not enough.

Mirfield cricket club ?

Jotul make some great stoves. Burley get my vote for number 1 - the are (or were) the most efficient one on the market 90% ish with good wood

They look awesome- nice job

I have always wanted one - since my teens. Seriously envious

Not spikes that people usually have an issue with, especially on the shins. I can only suggest that you try & put some extra padding at the point it is rubbing, even a pad made from a cut up tshirt might help. Can't be much help, sorry and I hope you have a better day tomorrow