Andy Collins

I have considered a tow-behind, but the problem is i have aggressive Kenda Executioner tyres and they will plough up the immaculate lawns:biggrin: starting to think it will be less grief just to farm out the mowing.

Cheers Josh, maybe handy.

AS they have move from a postage stamp garden to a place with 2 acres of lawn, they dont have a mower big enough. As they have not budgetted for a large mower they are looking to pay someone to cut. I think they both work so time is of the essence for them too.

I've learned more in the opening posts than I ever knew on this topic, keep it coming, very interesting

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Vmnq5dBF7Y]YouTube - The Infamous Exploding Whale[/ame] Far more efficient:thumbup:

I had one client last year, who spent a relative fortune on having in some of these lawncare professionals. The lawn looked abysmal, the client was very annoyed. I re-seeded the area for a lot less, it came up perfect, client happy. Sometimes people try to over-complicate things in order to make money.

Fair point mate, not trying to rob work from anyone. The client concerned rang me this morning, I have done thei hedge maintenance for the last 5years at their current address, and they are moving to a larger house with more land, and hedges. I will be getting the hedge work anyway, but they asked if I could either recommend someone (I dont often recommend as they can be unreliable) or do the grass myself. As mentioned above, I dont know if the sums will even make it worthwhile, and if you were on my doorstep I would gladly pass the work your way. Another issue with passing the grasswork on, is that the mower may decide he'll under-cut my hedging work, so it could be detrimental for me to pass the work on.

What we have to be aware of when giving our advice on the forum, is the advice can and will be read by less experienced people, they read through the bits they wish to see, skip the bits they cant be bothered with, and potentially could end up with a dangerous set-up.This industry now has a set of safety standards designed to protect workers from dodgy gear and practises. I am not doubting your or others ability to make an item, for your own use, and at your own risk, but someone may copy that with less knowledge and inferior products. No-one is stamping out free thought here, you are free to design and manufacture any product you wish, and if you wish to market that product then you will have to submit it to the rigorous testing procedure. One further point, people bemoan the cost of an item that makes their life easier/safer/more comfortable, yet they'll willingly spend the same amount on the latest phone technology/computer games etc, which will never have a potentially drastic effect on the rest of their lives. Strange set of priorities

I've been asked to cut about 2acres of lawn. Thing is this will involve the purchase of a ride-n mower. I have a good source for all types of mower so this isnt the issue, but how much to charge per hour/per acre? As you'll be aware, these machines are not cheap, so to get a return and yet remain competitive is a problem. Tips, advice, shouts of "dont do it!" all welcome.

A climber i worked with when I first started show me this technique, never used it myself though

Perhaps we're looking at potential habitats and therefore a tree with bats in doesnt get felled too often, OR the bats arent there, or if they are there, they're asleep and feel like they're falling over. I've knowingly only ever felled one tree with a bat inside, it came out looking a bit dazed and confused, got removed to a place of safety then it flew off a little erraticaly. I've checked numerous trees for "sign" where i thought there may be some, but seen nothing.

I actuallylike this idea! In a woods environment, the re-fuel area is a handy point to return to, where both workers will meet up, and if you both now where the fuel is, you'll both know the 1st aid kit is there too. With a n0n-spill spout there is a negligable risk of contamination, well no more risk than a case left chucked under a truck seat, with a split lid and dirt getting in. for this product.

The OP asked a reasonable question here, Is there any reason...? and these reasons have been eloquently put across. The way I see it is that there is no valid reason not to use CE marked equipment as it is out there already. Why take a chance on an "unknown"? Its your body, your life, do you really put so little value on it?

I'm not a climber, but seeing this cambium saver begs the question< Are there plans to sell longer ones in this country?

Visa were excellent in dealing with my case, and I'm sure that whether or not through PayPal they would be just as good in sorting your case. They are the professionals when in comes to financial transactions, they dont cut trees!

Shame I didnt get to go to this one. Seems a little odd that one of the largest Arb companies in the country hold a seminar on this subject, yet aren't AAAC's themselves? Bizarre.

Morten, did you pay for the item(s) with credit/debit card. If so contact your card company and inform them. I ordered an item from Northern Ireland, checked the feedback, the item never arrived. I contacted various other dealers who stocked the product, and they said that they had not had stock arrive. I contacted my card supplier, and they took over the debt, re-imbursed my account, and said I had no further issues to worry about. AS Paypal works through your cards, I'd expect the same would apply.

I think you pointed out and laughed at others to take attention away from yourself, sort of a defence system. The thing is, we all have flaws in our character, none of us is perfect, thats what makes up who we are. So you get a little muddled, jibber-jabber when you're nervous, big deal. You werent born ginger and have to wear specs, or with some other gross disfigurement that cause people to point and stare in the streets.

Ivy, my favourite plant. I love it, I love watching climbers cursing and swearing on their ascent to the top. Getting dust in their eyes, sneezing, and poked in the ears. . It should be cut and stipped off every possible tree in the country

I wonder if all 10,000+ members will give you a reply:biggrin:

Hows the Totaliser going Mick?

I live in a predominantly agricultural area, and its very common to see farm lads out and about with saws (no ppe or training, its only a chainsaw, and they're only cutting one tree!) Because of this, many people will not employ a suitably suited and booted Tree surgeon, but the lad they saw on the way past the farm. I know of steel erectors who will run out on a beam to "lop" off limbs that are in their way, again no training or ppe, not even safety harnesses. The issue here is not a clamp down by HSE, nor us reporting every incident of this type we see, but for the HSE to teach people about their responsibilites, both to themselves and those around them. The incident reported could have been safely dealt with a little common sense, there is no need to get in a "professional" but instead make sure one guy on site is trained to use a saw, and wear the ppe.

Similar to Steve, twice in about 15yrs, once in a woodland felling, when a bat hastily evacuated a falling tree, and an ivy clad Ash we were felling. Interestingly, when we were working in that woodland, and I saw the bat move on, I rang natural England and they said not to worry as the bats will find another tree! Common sense approach really.