Andy Collins

So far I have found that carnea are more resistant to the miners, but maybe they will evolve in time. Dunno the answer really.

Oh yes thats not at all annoying, working through a plantation only to turn around at the end and see some errant blobs of paint showing back at ya. Also that pink fluoro paint is nearly impossible for the colour blind apparently (not that i am) as it blends in really well with the natural colours for them. Or is it just an excuse for missing trees?

Not out on the pull anymore then Lee:biggrin:

Cheers had to wrestle the remote of the missus to bring up the EPG, easier to just ask here:001_rolleyes:

What time? Ah 9-10pm

32kph top road speed if ag registered

Do you know anyone up there who does Forestry in the Highlands?

Stick up an ad in the Employment Forum, asking for logging/felling work in whatever area you want. I'd briefly outline your experience to date and see what happens.

why not look to do some serious logging in this country 1st, there's people north of the border doing some big tree work, plus its not too far from home if you find its not for you. It would also build up your skllls base and make you more employable in the States in a few years time.

I'd get the biggest you can afford sensibly, it will be handy for self-recovery as well as tree work.Eg A laden Transit full of chip will need a lot of pull if its in mud, a little winch will struggle.

Charlie, its easier to handle the slightly larger logs that tongs arent big enough for, and iits quicker to just spike and drag logs.

Nothing "New Age" about "new age travellers" these days:001_rolleyes:

Its probably just a personal preference, but in the woods the slappie on the left seems to tick all my boxes:thumbup1:

I must admit I prefer the slappies that Clarks sell, nice weight in them that helps them into the wood, flat head to tap in a wedge and with the short handle it hangs from a hammer loop on my belt (point rearwards) and doesnt get in the way. The similar offering from Oregon seems too light, doesnt seem to grip in the wood as well, doesnt have a flat head for wedge-tapping, and due to the handle shape doesnt readily go into a hammer-loop. having recently started using these tools, I wonder why I never had them earlier, it really saves on the bending to lift logs.

Gratuitous MJ shot:biggrin:

I use both these regularly, and the 576 is the better saw, it puts down the power in a much better way (cant explain it better sorry:blushing:)

Well, as we were working in the middle of nowhere, and had a fire going for the last 3 days, it seemed only right to have something a little more upmarket for lunch. Coincidentally, Matt happened to have a rather juicy joint of beef that needed eating. So, in with a cookpot, a joint, some tatties and various other accompaniments. Dug out the embers and buried the pot, now Tescos recommended 1.5hrs cooking time for the beef, and with a little calculation we decided that as Poplar is not the best firewood, it may need 2hrs. So we got on with our days work, popped back just before lunch to check on the upcoming feasts progress, and its no longer looking so good. In fact its very very very black and resembling charcoal. Dejected...crestfallen...heartbroken do not describe the emotions coursing through my veins. Then the client pops home, comes over to see us, asks how our day is going, to which we just say "Terrible!" "Why's that?" says he, "our roasts burnt" says we, to which he burst out laughing.

A slight teeny-weeny miscalculation of timing...

Well the day started ok, felling Lombardy Pops, chipping up nicely, burning the rubbish up and so on

Matt (my colleague) repollarding an veteran Siccie

Lifting a defender to hear the tree is useful when felling, you can hear the fibres starting to give, you can hear that shout if a dead piece is dislodged and may give you the extra split second to get away, I usually raise the defender furthest from the exhaust. As for using an axe to fell, perfectly safe in the right hands, but wouldnt be as productive in the commercial world, but a no-no......hardly.

haix boots Oregon fiordland The Fiordlands fabric just isnt up to this job, I even had my wound dressing in the large LH pocket and it wore a hole right through them, then I wALked past a bramble, and the fabric parted in fear. I think these trousers were made to look nice in a showroom on a hanger, rather than be functional in the workplace.

Purely down to personal choice Hucky, I really dont care if people wish to remain anonymous or not.

I changed from a anon username for 2 reasons. Firstly, as a moderator I feel it necessary to lead by example, to show I'm for real, in both my work and modding. I welcome all to come and chat at shows, ad meet the real me.(for what its worth) Secondly, I take pride in my work, sometimes posting about it, and sometimes including pics when I remember, I also take pride in the forum, and am open with some clients about it, partly so they have an idea of how we do the job,and they can see that in general we all enjoy and take pride in what we do. Several are top businessmen, some are JP's and magistrates, and on the whole they tell me they enjoy the forum as guests. The downside of my real name is that whatever I do or say here, people know exactly who I am and what I think, so I am always on my guard. As a mod, it makes no difference to me whether people choose to use their own name or a username, I treat all the same.

Any time.......NOW!