Andy Collins

I guess the "old timers" have nothing to prove, after all they're still out there grafting, while the young uns are catching their breath from running around all day. If jobs are priced right, there is no need to run about, just crack on and get it done. I can't stand people slouching about either, dragging their feet, looking lethargic, it gives a bad impression to everyone else, clients etc. but there is no need at all to run back from the chipper. Or even gently jog. But he who pays the piper calls the tune, it's up to each boss to get what he wants from his staff, and whether he uses a carrot or stick to get what he wants determines his worth as a boss.

I can't disagree with any of your points here, and we've gone from running back from the chipper to a gentle jog, which is far more reasonable . I'm just jealous that I can't even manage a gentle jog anywhere these days.

I know it's banter in here, but keep it clean, everyone, subbing letters to evade the swear filter isn't allowed, and posts will be removed.

I think what's needed is efficiency and planning ahead. No need to run, just keep up a good steady pace keeping everything clear. We had a lad come to work with us years ago who ran every where. Made us quite giddy watching him sprint here and there. Trouble was he didn't engage his brain, so keen on making an impression, but he'd forget what he'd run after, forget where he was going, it was comical. Where do you hope to get by having everyone running around? You won't get there any quicker.

I prefer using a rear handled saw for hedge reductions, I generally put a 13" bar on the 346. I've gone over to the rear handle for a couple of reasons. I feel it is safer than using a top handle. I'm also sick of breaking out the breather on the Stihl, and the flimsy little chain catchers snap off too often. I wouldn't use a larger bar in the narrow confines of a hedge, it just gets in the way. There is no substitute for training, even if you do the absolute minimum of maintenance and cross-cutting it will give you some idea of saw handling and the risks, and of course wear full ppe when operating a saw. Is the good £££ on the job looking so good now?

I have to advise that everyone plans for a future beyond the more physical side of the job. I know, through experience, that you may not be physically able to continue til retirement without some problem. Good health is not a foregone conclusion, I still do the hard work, but not with the agility or stamina I once had. Tbh I doubt I'm even employable in the role I used to fill. I'm lucky that I've adapted through necessity, to a more advisory and organisational role, maybe listening when I was at school might have better prepared me for later life. Unfortunately, many of us only see as far as the end of the week, not preparing for the future.

Skyhucks Mog was based on the Mog we had, so he told me. The biggest problem with big kit is that it needs to be out everyday earning it's keep, so it ends up going out on jobs it's not really suited to. Of course, common sense would say take out the Roadrunner instead of the Mog, but then that's another gang that can be doing something else. There isnt a perfect vehicle for Arb work, everything is going to be just a compromise. No two jobs are the same, hedgetrimming one day and massive take downs the next Transits aren't ideal, overweight with your sandwiches on the back, and the way they're clamping down it's hardly worth the hassle tbh. I guess if I was in a postion to look at something it would be along the lines of Peter Haines truck, good capacity, capable of lifting timber out, or have a bin and chip into it.

Way back in the mists of time, I worked for a company that had two Mogs while I was there. The latest was an all singing all dancing machine. Everything we needed was on it. We were the dogs doofers of the Arb world, back in the day. Or so we thought. We also ran Roadrunners and an Iveco truck, as well as a pick up. That Mog created more labour than it saved. It couldn't get anywhere near the work on private jobs, parking on the side of the road meant a longer drag. The crane could lift big timber, but you had to get the timber near enough in the first place. We quickly learned that to go out with the Mog was the short straw on many jobs, preferring the Roadrunners and Schliesings 220, For most private works. On site work, the Mog could handle the work better, but was ungainly, top heavy when full and in general needed either winching or towing off site again. We actually decided that UNIMOG stood for Useless, No good, Inefficient, Machine Of Grief, and I never saw anything that once proved us wrong. Oh and did I mention the horrendously high running costs, nothing is cheap on a Mog, including the labour. Fact...I've never had to work so hard since leaving that company, subbing to companies with regular transits and chippers, and you get a breather every time it's filled up. Bonus.

I updated my phone and iPad last night, can't really compare it with older systems, I only jumped in the Apple cart with iPad on iOS6, which seemed fine to me. New graphics, slightly slicker, can't really see any other changes, unless there were glitches I didn't know about that it's sorted.

Seriously get anything internal sorted ASAP. I had all sorts of issues a couple of years ago that were nearly fatal resulting in removal of my large intestine. A hernia op is relatively small in the scheme of things.

Nice one, and nice one Predator

A few years back, when I was subbing to a company, we had the job of reducing a hedgerow by two feet!! It was about 20 tall. I queried the paper work, yes, 2 feet off the top. It bordered a sports ground, so in a way I guess it made sense as a noise barrier and windbreak. It took 3 of us 2 days from a cherry picker. Job done, away we went, nice and tidy. Except the clients wanted it reduced by 2 metres!!! The boss said. The paperwork said 2 feet, and that's what they had to pay for. They had us back for the rest of the height reduction, and paid a new invoice for the extra. If your paperwork is in order, and it's agreed by the client, it's not your fault if they don't bother to read the paperwork.

Wow! An incredible guy, it just goes to show that anything is possible with the right attitude.

I got given one of these amongst some other saw spares. I got it running and sold it on to someone for £30 as a runner. That's about it. Not worth chucking money at, but maybe adding to a collection of old saws to look at???

It's strawberry blond, actually just remember, us gingers have no soul, which means we are immortal, which means we can cause you eternal torment. Keep one eye over your shoulder. Good to meet you to, even if it was only so I could get the measurements right for the waxen voodoo of you. Mwuhahahaha. Hope you enjoyed the show.

This post sums up everything eloquently, it isn't just about one person in a way, but truly is thanks to every single member, sponsor, mod and advertiser. Without any one group, it would not be the forum it is. So well done... Everyone

I haven't posted as yet as I've been with Steve at the AA conference, then on to the Confor Woodland Show, but well done to him for all he's done over the years. His attention to detail, and quest for perfection in everything he does shines through on this forum. And the result is to achieve such an accolade and award. Good luck for the future and wherever that takes us.

I think I'd be more concerned that he "stormed off" rather than stood his ground and discussed his case for more money with you. It says more about his character at such an early stage. Given that was about £6o plus the advantage of holidays etc as an employee, I think it was a fair starting rate, though I'd be looking for an increase as skills and development occurs. We do need fair rates in tin this trade for all levels, and people need enough to be worth turning out for. But in return, they need to show that they are worth it.

The Arbtalk roadshow will be rolling into Longleat later today, setting up for more Axe throwing and general chit chat as well as selling products from the Treeshirtz range. So pop over and see us, we're not there for the good of our health, but because otherwise we'd have to go to work!!

I didn't photo the "wound" because it really is that small and insignificant. But the pressure that it pumps out is astounding. I haven't written this thread to make something of nothing, more to show that in the simplest situations, if things go a little wrong they can still have potentially serious circumstances. I did skip what caused the wound, unintentionally. I was brush cutting and a flake of flint pinged away from the blade and nicked my artery in my forearm. I'd considered wearing gauntlets, due to thorns, but discounted them. I wore normal gloves, gauntlets would have saved me the hassle later. That's life. Script writing for the soaps...hmmm I may need to consider a career change, but good tip,

I suppose in the strictest sense of the word, I am not an "arborist". I do however love my work with trees, more so these days than in the past. I like to think I've found my niche. Why do I like Arbtalk? It's gelled a very fractured industry, and pooled together a lot of mini-businesses, from all aspects and sectors of the tree world. I think Arbtalk has done a lot of good for the development and future growth of the Arboricultural world. And that is due to its membership.

Now off, no rest for the self-employed

Such an incident occurred the other day. Simple job, brush cut brambles back along hedge and trim the hedge. No need for two of us, a one man job. I virtually got right along the length of the hedge, some 400m with the brushcutter, when I felt a slight thump on my forearm. Didn't really worry about it until I glanced down and saw my blood pumping profusely. Oh dear, I think, what a thing to happen. So I stop the machine, apply pressure to the wound and elevate said limb. Now for the preparedness issues. I had a mobile phone in my right pocket, but couldn't reach across with my left hand to get it. I had a wound dressing in my right rear pocket, again, same issue. I daren't let go of the wound to unfasten brush cutter. I had visions of bleeding out in the middle of nowhere, unable to get to help. I was 1/4mile from the nearest house. I got to my first aid kit, (Arb Aid) and let go enough to open it, no mean feat with your wrong hand, and got out the tourniquet, and dressed the wound. I then got to the nearest house where there was a chap working and told him what I'd done and to keep an eye while I re-dressed the wound. It was fine. I carried on home, re-dressed it again with steri-strips and a bandage. Three hours later it blew out and I peed blood everywhere like a stuck pig. Time for A&E and stitches. Lessons learned, it was a freak incident, the wound is about 3mm long, but in an artery. Keep a personal wound dressing where it can be reached, same with phone, make sure you can get to help somehow, and think through incase you're the victim. It doesn't always have to be a massive chainsaw wound, or spinal injury, but a simple little flesh wound in e wrong place at the wrong time can cause you serious problems.

I have one, lovely machine

I saw some ivy sticks turned into wands, about a tenner, or a "fancy" candle holder from same was z£120!!!!