Jump to content

Log in or register to remove this advert

Andy Collins

Veteran Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    13,793

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Everything posted by Andy Collins

  1. Andy Collins
    Just got in, full on day, prepping the ground for the planting, getting the Pines into a temporary holding area. Glenn on the digger did a sterling job, top man, made up for the other idiot yesterday. 2nd artic arrived in from Chelsea at 6.30pm, plants a lot bigger than I was told, so Glenn stayed on and helped get the largest in the ground, we knocked off at 9pm.
  2. Andy Collins
    Nearly had a heart attack when he skinned the bugger! Sure things will pan out, once I get into the proper work, rather than shifting plants off trucks!
  3. Andy Collins
    He was only the back-up originally, I had to off-load the truck to get it away again, time went against me, apparently the queues out of the show site were terrible, causing the truck to be late. I have the main man in from tomorrow, the one who couldnt help at last minute today due to an ill father, shant be having Bollock-Chops back at all. Shame cos it made my day end on a downer, the trees only cost 3k each anyway
  4. Andy Collins
    2nd update: :jumping38: 1st truckful arrives late, well 5pm instead of 2pm is promised, Telehandler gets fed up with waiting and clears off, I call him back when i see the lorry arrive. He rushes about and strips the bark off one pine, bleats about them being too heavy, and frets about the windows getting broken. He was not my 1st choice, that guy couldnt make it at the last minute, this was my "back-up"!! Bad day to start off, things will go up a gear tomorrow.....hopefully!
  5. Andy Collins
    We were discussing the virtues of hydraulic saws the other week, soooo quiet!
  6. Andy Collins
    Cut some pipe to length to cover those gaffs! We were unloading the truck ate in the evening a few years back, guy up top of truck throws down his climbing kit to me, copped a gaff tip in the palm. Was unhappy bunny!
  7. Andy Collins
    Have you tried getting in touch with the company concerned to address this? I'm sure most dealers will rectify this in the blink of an eye, without a fuss. Hopefully the guys from Stein will read your post and check the quality control
  8. Andy Collins
    I had the GT750 "Kettle" back in the day, also a KH400 (snappy little beast that was), shame the handling and braking didnt match the engine performance!
  9. Andy Collins
    Thanks for the replies, Rob Rainford was 1st up, so its now winging its boingy way to him as we speak. Look forward to your thoughts Rob
  10. Andy Collins
    Nice bit of kit crushing potential habitat! Brief is to return scrubland to agricultural use
  11. Andy Collins
    If they're in pots, get hold of some bubble-wrap and line the pots to protect the roots from excesses of temperature. I suspect the Bay will recover, albeit slowly.
  12. Andy Collins
    Oh well, back to the drawing board, it was sort of a stab in the dark anyway It appears upon a little light reading I had my wires crossed somewhat. The fungi Erysiphe being a result of powdery mildew, whereas the sooty mould fungus is a non-parasitic fungus growing on leaf surfaces with honey-dew from sap-suckers Aphids etc. So control the aphids, and you control the sooty mould! I am humbled before you Gerrit :adore:
  13. Andy Collins
    Looks similar to a fungi called Erysiphe, though the colouring looks wrong, (should be more buff-coloured).Erysiphe is prevalent when there are dry soil conditions and the leaves have been watered. Treat with a suitable fungicide, keep plants well watered and mulched, avoid overhead watering. Hopefully this will help, even if the exact fungi is not quite accurate. PS http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erysiphe
  14. Andy Collins
    I think being s/e is the only "proper job", you reap what you sow to a certain extent. Of course adverse conditions affect how things progress, a long dry period means trees, hedges, garden plants and even lawns suffer. I probably consider jacking it all in about once a month, but the other 30ish days i love it, which is far better ratio than when I was employed. If I were in your shoes, I would be holding a talk with local gardening groups at village halls, build a rapport with people that gets your name around a few new people, also re-kindling your enthusiasm for your job. As far as your wife goes, instead of her moaning about the irregular income, is there something that she can do to support you instead of criticising, marriage is about teamwork.
  15. Andy Collins
    Cheers. 1st update: Originally told the plants to be shifted Wednesday, so transport booked, excavator booked, geared up for then, now got a call that the end of the show where the garden is has to be cleared 1st, so re-arrange everything transport-wise for Tuesday, organised Teleporter to off-load my end now, sorted holding area for plants. Rang and booked up back-up Teleporter (provisionally) in case something goes wrong with 1st one!
  16. Andy Collins

    stihl 084av

    Andy Collins replied to s o c's topic in Chainsaws

    Scooshy? Todays New Word? Me likey
  17. Andy Collins
    In reverse to what the last poster wrote, I've never been asked for brushcutter tickets, come to think of it I'm rarely asked for saw tickets either makes me wonder at times why we bother.
  18. Andy Collins
    today had a balsam poplar to remove this mornings job A, was to close to the house's B, was to big for how close it was and C, because it was a twin stemed split at about 1 inch off the ground to about 4ft off floor as we sliced it they split. Had you explained to this that the tree had a major defect, with targets? I (usually) find that taking a few minutes to explain things to people, in a language they can understand, will resolve a situation.
  19. Andy Collins
    A relative of mine had an accountant a few years back stitch him up. He got was cooking the books for several small business, but for his own gain. It didnt come to light until HMRC did an investigation, working through all his clients, and penalising them all for incorrect returns. The accountant was eventually jailed for 6 years, and banned from trading as an accountant ever again. I was very cynical about taking on an accountant because of this, but then couldnt cope with it on my own. I now have a very good accountant, she is Chartered, and has insurance to protect herself and her clients. Always check their credentials, talk to other clients of theirs, as you would hiring any other service.
  20. Andy Collins
    The trees will be hiabbed into place, well thats the plan right now. BUT if we get the rain we dearly need, things may have to change. I'm trying to cover all the variables, probably over-complicating things in the run-up, too much time to think. Once I'm stuck in it'll probably come together. I'm really looking forward to it, albeit nervously.
  21. Andy Collins
    Furthermore, there should be a government incentive for small companies to actively encourage the payment of a realistic wage, after all we are the backbone of the country, this would then balance the books for the companies.
  22. Andy Collins
    My client has bought the entire stock from one of this years Chelsea Flower Show gardens. Part of this are 3 x7.5metre Scots Pines, several large "dwarf" pines, and a large number of rhodies, enough to fill 2 artics. I have to create 2 planting areas, 1 incorporating some existing shrubs, but making new bed, and the second is create an "Island" in a pasture. The 7.5metre Scots weigh in a 3,5tonne each allegedly. I am nervous about this job, partly because these are the biggest trees to date I have been asked to install, and partly because I doubt that the repeated movement can do the plants any good. I had a site meeting last evening with my man with the excavator, I think we're good to go.... fingers crossed.
  23. Andy Collins
    If an acceptable living wage was paid to all workers, we wouldn't need anyone in this country to require benefits at all. If a sensible wage is paid, then more PAYE is taken, more NI is taken, but less is paid out, surely the country would actually get back up off its backside. Those who really need the money, elderly and real disabled, woudnt have to fight for every penny, as there would be more in the country's coffers.
  24. Andy Collins

    Fuel can

    Andy Collins replied to Billy's topic in General chat

    I have my original oregon can with non-spill spout, its now about 15years old with original spout. Says it all. Colleagues seem to get about 6months with the Husky ones before the spouts give out.
  25. Andy Collins
    What an absolute joke I left a company just on 10 years ago and I was earning 80 a day, costs of living has increased considerably since then. Its no wonder turnover of staff is so high.

About

Arbtalk.co.uk is a hub for the arboriculture industry in the UK.  
If you're just starting out and you need business, equipment, tech or training support you're in the right place.  If you've done it, made it, got a van load of oily t-shirts and have decided to give something back by sharing your knowledge or wisdom,  then you're welcome too.
If you would like to contribute to making this industry more effective and safe then welcome.
Just like a living tree, it'll always be a work in progress.
Please have a look around, sign up, share and contribute the best you have.

See you inside.

The Arbtalk Team

Follow us

Articles

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.