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Andy Collins

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Everything posted by Andy Collins

  1. Andy Collins
    When you say potato crates, do you mean the chitting trays? These are the trays that the potatoes are stacked in to sprout before planting. We bought a load of these at auction last year, 10 for £30. The trendy mob are pushing the price up on these products these days.
  2. Andy Collins
    IIRC the tree was a cedar in open parkland, with no immediate targets, a very large tree. It had split massively vertically. Client was willing to try and see it whatever it took as it was quite a feature in the parks vista. This was when I first started out in tree work, and I didn't really understand a lot of the thinking behind such work back then. But it died anyway, and was subsequently removed. Back to this tree, felling is the common sense approach, a roadway in the target area, so I assume public access? This tree is always going to have a inherent weakness, so get rid. For the cost of the bracing and reduction of the crown, you could plant a couple of decent sized replacements, and would no longer have to keep popping over to inspect the tree periodically.
  3. Andy Collins
    Sorry to hear this James.
  4. Andy Collins
    I hate poking things with wire, especially jets, a stiff nylon bristle will clear most jets ok, or a blast of compressed air, though I have blasted the fiddly jet across the floor with a compressor!!! Hours of fun searching for it then ensued I hate mechanicing!!!
  5. Andy Collins
    I think it may be a blocked main jet, does it have an inline fuel filter, if so change/clean it. But Rich is more savvy mechanic than I am, so go with his diagnosis first. I just start with simple stuff like spark plug, fuel filters, air filters and then throw the damn thing in the corner when it still doesn't work!!
  6. Andy Collins
  7. Andy Collins
    Ill bid £100.
  8. Andy Collins
    Well in that case all the best wherever you end up, I'd just hate to see someone grudgingly leave the trade without really thinking it through. I was lucky, I found my way around my particular problem, not really ideal but it keeps me happy
  9. Andy Collins
    There is a kindling chute type thing available if I find it ill post it This looks right http://www.portsdownengineering.co.uk/Content/Product-Range/Category/Pre-Packers/Product/Wood-Bagging-Machine
  10. Andy Collins
    It's going to be a supply and demand type scenario IMO. Too many currently self employed types chasing too few full time positions. This will bring down the day rate to a certain extent. If you currently sub-contract as a groundie, how long before you are required by law to be employed. I cannot see how a the self employed groundie can continue to survive as by the nature of his work he will be working under direction of a climber and others, aside from complying with other rulings for s/e status.
  11. Andy Collins
    I actually agree with Lee....fell it. Many moons ago we had to rod and brace a large cedar in a park. It cost a fortune to the client....and died anyway. Fell and replant with similar species.
  12. Andy Collins
    Nelly belly, can you not run your business in a similar vein to what James is suggesting, basically keep on doing some tree work part time, alongside some building work? It always seems a great shame that people feel they need to get out of the job for health reasons. I had to change things a bit following last years health problems, but I can still earn enough from the changes I've implemented. Of course, you must do what you need to earn a crust at the end of the day, I'm just trying to point out that you may be able to keep doing some tree work in a lesser capacity.
  13. Andy Collins
    Agri wages may come into play if your employed by a farm to manage woodland, or working for a forestry based business, but tree surgery is not either of these, it is merely a service industry, so could be likened to horticulture or similar. Of course the guidelines are useful anyway to give an idea of employees entitlements re holidays etc.
  14. Andy Collins
    I saw on FB another member in the Cambs district got done over Last night as well. That makes a lot of kit in one evening.
  15. Andy Collins
    it's not all about using the system to keep the worker on low pay. But holidays and other perks have to be paid for by the employer, they are not an option, so of course this will be reflected in the final pay available to the staff. This is a difficult economic climate, businesses need to remain competitive they cannot afford massive overheads. Having to suddenly put formerly S/E workers onto the books will obviously have and initial effect, and the business model will need looking at and revamping to suit the new needs. I'm not against groundies getting the recognition they deserve, KOTR, a professional groundie is an asset to a business, and there is a world of difference between brash draggers and good groundies.
  16. Andy Collins
    Whoa....... £70 a day and a bacon bap!!!!! Where do I apply? And holidays? Mmmmm bacon.
  17. Andy Collins
    A nice cuppa tea too
  18. Andy Collins
    I don't quite agree. It's a package, a bundle, the full monty. Say £65 a day, + holiday pay + training + pensions and so on. What other jobs in other trades offer is immaterial, you chose this one. If its about a labourers money, and that's the sole reason, go and be a plasterers labourer, far better pay (well it was, once )
  19. Andy Collins
    There have been posts asking where all the good groundies are but if you are paying £65 a day, can you expect great groundies? No, not great groundies, but a good lad who will work, drag rake and log up for 40hrs a week. If he wants to improve himself, learn more about the job, increase his skills, then as he progresses hhis pay would increase accordingly. Yes Hodge, £70 is fine.
  20. Andy Collins
    I based the rate of £65 per day on the information that the OP gave.
  21. Andy Collins
    Jimmy91. I'd like to commend you on your handling of this situation. Ill be honest, at first I thought here's another employee trying to tell his boss what to do, thinks he knows better and all that. But you have handled this in a proper and professional manner, used the advice and used your head for the best possible outcome.
  22. Andy Collins
    Quite agree Huck, and more so for the employer I'd guess. I help a friend out occasionally, and he said I'd have to be on the books if I wanted to help him. I told him I would no longer be available if that were the case. There are certain jobs that he would prefer me to do for him, I told him just to sub contract them fully to me in future. Whether he will or not I've yet to find out. I'm not that fussed, the ball is in his court IMO. In my own case, I have spent my life scrabbing about, now I have to look after no1!
  23. Andy Collins
    I know of someone who also boiled his KK with the cork in, it went bang. He hasn't got one now.
  24. Andy Collins
    I think you have to keep a position attractive, if your not going to pay them when there is no work (if that's what you mean?) they could not budget a living from ifs and maybes and a pocketful of thank yous. This is the tricky bit in our job, taking last summer as a fine example of bad weather (bad clothing?) trying to fit certain jobs in around the weather sometimes is nearly impractical, if not impossible. But that is not the employees fault, it is down to the employer to source the work and keep his men in work... Somehow. If that means cutting grass, trimming hedges or cleaning pavements then that's what it is.
  25. Andy Collins
    £325 gross is £8.125 per hr, way over minimum wage, yet a reasonable amount when you consider the perks of employment. I've just read through my lads Contract of Employment, he gets 32 days paid leave, 5 days paid sick leave, all training and ppe relevant to his position, 2 weeks paternity leave, min wage while on apprenticeship, with £3k payment upon completion of apprenticeship. He is 21. I think he is on a pretty good crack for 21 and being trained. The perks are certainly attractive.

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