Andy Collins

Ill save you a couple of quid Eggs, I'm teetotal.

Hi Eggs, should be visiting Euston with a bit of luck, might see you there

I think the shows are quite well supported, given the state of the economy, given the fact they're held on workdays, given the fact that there are so many shows. The AA Show only ever attracts around 2000 visitors at best, I can't remember the gate for Jones show. Didnt Clarks hold a show up North? And there was the Arb Fair North, with a low attendance and poor weather, so there is soemthing somewhere for everyone. Cirencester is around a 4hr trip for us over here, hardly local. At the shows now, ok bargains aren't so available as once upon a time, but there are seminars, talks, demos of equipment where you can learn and see how it works, or catch up with the latest equipment, it isn't all shopping.

Another pointless thread, going in the same direction as many others summer silly season is in full swing.

and thanks

Ok, brief update. Barring a few logs to remove, the first phase of this site job is completed, plus the extra of clearance of the undergrowth. This job isnt just another job to me, its proved to me that following serious health problems, Im pretty much back, maybe not in quite the same way I used to be, but good enough to make a living from this line of work, (something doctors and surgeons said I would not be able to do) so its quite an important milestone in my life. Tbh, I was sceptical about whether I could take it on and handle it. Of course, its not just me, but a team behind me, Im merely a conductor waving a baton to keep the band in order , so big thank you to those who helped on this job, Tim (Blue) climbing work, Matt for your tractor and flail, and Alex (AHPP) for your help at the sharp end of the brambles and chipping. Thanks again.

Sorry to read this, just had my 12year old Lab put down, leaves a big hole in your life. Gutted for you.

colwoodlandcare, have a read through the Stress thread, be aware of how stress sneaks up on you, learn to chill out...properly. You will end up either having an accident, losing your girlfriend, both, maybe neither, but you will never be happy...not really happy while your working these hours.

What is it with the people on a forum? Personally, I don't care if you choose to use a wire core or not, it will not make any difference to my life whatsoever. But why does everything from an advertised job to climbing kit turn into a stupid bun fight? Have they just released the latest inmates from Retard School or something? now play nicely or sit on the naughty step til tea

Hmm 13m, I think they were a little shy of that, but not by much. I got away relatively scratch free, for a change, longest only being a puny 4incher!!

I'm sitting here reading this, and thinking that te last few nights, my mind has been racing with thoughts about my work, my past, my present and my future. Doubts over my health, and whether ill be able to cope. Getting up extra early because I can't sleep. I know I'm a million miles from the place you're in Predator, and hopefully ill stay a million miles away but health, be it physical or mental, is a very fragile thing and something we take for granted. Wishing you all the best, and I hope you get the treatment that you need to get back to your old self. Keep us posted.

Or old mattresses luckily the blade took over for the real rough stuff, then fettle it all a bit with the flail.

The tractor was owned locally from new by a large contractor, the guarding and lights were recent additions.

The tractors got forestry guarding, the blades for pushing timber around, or grading, or pushing up fly tipped connie, mattresses, cookers, and freezers . It's the dogs danglies for bramble bashing, I just had to hand cut inspection routes in, and around the houses.

It does depend how you define the word "fun" I guess

Forgot the picas of the beginning around the trees

Started off as your usual straight forward tree job...when I priced it up. Promises of a clear site, proper access, you know all the usual. that was back in the mists of time, around Jan I think. Fast forward to June, can I get in there and get on with the Lime pollards please? Yeah right!! No access work done, site was a bomb site, fly tipped rubbish covered in brambles all around the trees, and all over the rest of the site. We cleared a route in and around the trees with brushcutters, made it as safe underfoot as possible so we could work the ropes etc. Trees pollarded without a hitch. Project manager then rings me and asks if I can sort the brambles out, oh yes says I, got them to agree on an open-ended payment plan, due to unknown hazards and obstacles around the site, such as cesspits, wells, metal spikes everywhere and more. Sites nearly clear now, safe enough to get the chipper in now to sort the brash from the pollards, luckily I have AHPP (Alex) coming in tomorrow to give me a hand. Man, you dont know what youve let yourself in for!!

As I've said on the other thread, hopefully this will help someone who genuinely needs the helps, and the time spent responding hasn't been wasted. shame.

Lets take the positives out of these threads, by the OP. this forum is here to help, not just "The Worker" but the wider audience. I've had two clients bring me their saws because they won't start, both very simple user error things which I now have to charge my time for. The tips on these very pages might just help someone else out there googling across the web to find out why their saw wont start. As for using chain oils, I live in the country, many "old boys" still use engine oil, hydraulic oil, or indeed any oil that they have kicking around their sheds, it seems almost the norm, and they don't understand all this fuss about using chain oil, cos they've done it that way wince they were young. Re: files, that seems almost a black art to the uninitiated, I know some favour the good old 4" angle grinder as it does the job Thanks to all of those who helped with the info on "The Workers" threads, I'm hoping its helped someone who really needed help, hence I'll not remove them.

I'm guessing that back in the Victorian times, they were trying to think of a way of "disposing" of the stumps as they cleared the land to form the gardens, what better way than to incorporate them In a shady corner with some suitable plants? I love the Ickworth stumpery, I believe Prince Charles has quite an example too, yet to see it. I'll see if I can my pics of my wee effort in my garden at some point.

A word to the wise. Many people on here place ads looking for staff. They give simple basic instruction in the text, they do not wish to discuss money publicly, hence the pm system. If you want a job, or want to know the details, you simply ask via pm and you might be lucky enough to find out. It's become a bit of an in joke on this forum that people cannot follow a simple instruction, yet expect top dollar for their skills.

Mate, you can put whatever oil you like in your saws. The best advice on here says use specifically manufactured saw chain oil, it's your choice if you wish to ignore it. Tree men in general just love to take the mick, it gets us through the day, don't give them more ammo

This is meant to be a forum where people can ask for help and advice, not everyone knows it all.

The little rubber pump usually needs about 3 presses. I guess you've turned the switch to "on"? A couple of pulls on the starter cord should make it fire. If the the rubber bulb feels too firm, I, guessing its already full of fuel, so repeated pushing wont really do anything except force more fuel through, leading to flooding. If its flooded, whip out the spark plug, pull the starter cord a couple of times, leave out plug for a little while to let everything dry, replace plug and start again. I know people are taking the mick, but it's surprising how many people come up to me with a saw that wont start, I just pull it and it starts immediately. Its usually just getting the "knack" for stsrting them. There is no substitute for training, saws are dangerous tools that need a lot of care at all times, whether it's a cheap Chinese catalogue saw, or a top of the range pro model. Perhaps there is a member on here local to you who could spend 5mins with you just to show you the basics?

I get why you did the thin, don't get why you left the sticky out bit, if you wanted to push yourself, then you should have gone back up and finished it to your satisfaction. Ok you got paid fair enough, but now that sticky out bit will niggle you and you'll wish you'd just gone back up and done it properly. Overall, a good first attempt though.