Andy Collins

Great thread Carl:clap:

I'm all for ladies in the workplace, in a totally non-chauvanistic way of course!!

Having used both for a considerable length of time, gimme the Schliesing over Timberwolf anyday. Downtime alone for the S. is so much lower, and it just keeps going. Excellent chippers.

This discussion came up at work today, I couldnt remember off the top of my head, so got to thinking that maybe others may benefit from this too.

http://www.southeastclimbing.com/faq/faq_kilonewton.htm hope its useful!!

I had one years ago, about 10 years ago, only cost me £100 then, and it is really only a farm saw, or semi-pro

Ok to re-phrase slightly, one man band being climber and groundie, transit truck, chipper and ubiquitous scruffy mutt, (groundie qualified in A/R) is it possible to meet the requirements of Arb Approval?

The tree company can become approved and then a couple of weeks later lose all their good climbers and be staffed with crap!

Ive seen this happen a couple of times Colin, misanthropic or not, its true!! Fact of life, some people are crap workers, not crap humans, they dont care about the job at all, just about getting done as quick as poss and getting back to watch the footie/netball/olympics down the pub.

One point I'd like to pick up on, in relation to re-hashing old topics in magazines, is that just because we've read it over and over, throughout the years, many havent. There are many new folk coming into the trade every year, and these articles may help to refresh their memories over even the simplest things, such as saw maintenance. BUT things do need to move on as well. perhaps some of the contributors to the magazines, willo read these threads in here, and use it to further their own needs.

Well I'm now in my 3rd year as an ISA member, and to date havent felt the same way as I did in the AA. As far as recommending that AA Approved Contractors are used, I think the clients will decide who to use, whether they are a little old lady, or a large borough council. In this area, council tree works are carried out by many skilfull arborists, who I know arent AA approved, yet carry out just as good a job. The domestic client sees these carrying out council works and 9 times out of 10, will approach them for the work. I know all professional arborists want the fly-by-nighters/dodgy types out of the way, but I'm not sure that the AA is taking the right approach.

I sed to work for co. that had unimogs, it seemed a great machine most of the time. Its limitations were mainly that when the buck was loaded (approx 7 cubic m) it was top heavy, causing to lurch and sway on the road. Although its an Ag vehicle, its more of a compromise between a truck and tractor, doing neither job brilliantly. Parts are expensive, and wear and tear seems to happen quickly. They do seem to be almost a status symbol for tree companies tho, and are pretty cool.

Well, we have the last laugh, if we want. If people at grass roots level, voted with their feet, things would soon change to accomodate everyone, and then they'd represent everyones interests not just their own. I was a member of the AA for a few years, cos I thought at the time they cared for people that cared for trees, I left cos I felt it was just another back-slapping club for the boys. I've joined the ISA instead now, and think, for now, its better than the AA. We'll see.

Sounds like jobs for the boys to me, the "old boy" network is alive and kicking. Nowt wrong with any business promoting itself on a level playing field, but to insinuate that non-AA contractors arent fit to deal with is a kick in the teeth!! Most of the "big boys" started out with a battered old tranny van and knackered kit, and now they've made it big, they want to try and shut the door on future businesses. Does the AA make it possible for a small business, ie 1man band with a transit, chipper and a dog to meet its requirements for Approval?? If not do they not think it may be wise to include the grass roots businesses in some way, for the future of the industry? Even the mighty AA cannot survive solely on the backs of big business, they need to keep the little man on side too.

Well done jp, cool pic.

looks impressive, wont it transfer the shock thru the body tho?? Surely there will still be the internal damage to organs etc, but because there is no visible signs of damage, the risk that injuries will go un-noticed must be greater? Plus the boundaries will get pushed as the protection will lead to a false sense of security.

Someone was talking about Gorilla planting the other year I don't know that much came of it but the idea was to pop out at night and plant loads of whips on any spare land traffic islands wide verges etc.

 

This would have to be funded out of your own pocket but if youve got a few trees spare it could be worth it to enhance an area. Any possible press coverage of this illegal act would raise the awareness of the need to plant more trees.

The BBC were running a programme called "Guerilla Gardening" a year or so back, and shooting a new series this summer. My son's college was approached for students to take part.

I think if its something minor, ie a bent bar on a small saw, the company can cover the cost. BUT that should be dependent on how responsible the staff are. If they treat your kit, and clients property with a total lack of respect, then they should pay. Its no fun having staff who sling the kit around, breaking it cos they couldnt care less. By the same token, if they are normally carefull and conscientious, and on an odd occasion something breaks, then cut them some slack. Insurance will cover expensive damage, (mine has a £500 excess), but phone lines etc are small costs. I cut a phone line covered in Russian Vine once, luckily a BT lineman was down the road, bunged him a tenner, and it was sorted.

need to insure my chipper, trust will do it but i have to have public L insurance with them as well and i dont want that just yet. anyone have a clue?

 

also can i get PL insurance for one month say? if so with who?

Not being funny mate, but you'll find it cheaper if you take out a full years cover, I have £2million PLI and its only £580 + vat a year, and I dont think the £5m cover is too much more. Dont think you'd find a months cover anywhere, not worth it for the insurers imo.

Paperwork on a Sat nite? you need to get out mate

May be....... unless I get a better offer

Showered and changed, ready to paint the town red, lookout world!!

Well, I think you'll find you match the top cover on a stihl too, ha, and a white body:bike: too

stihl 88 and 66, beast saws but then again a 395 husq kicks there ass!!!

ballcocks, no way does the husky kick the ass of a 66 :asshole2:

And a few more pics

Todays job, planting a belt of trees to screen the old farm buildings in the back-drop. Under planting of Corylus avellana Zellerman, to mask the fencing, then Acer platanoides Crimson King/ Royal Red, and Pyrus calleryana Chanticleer to cover the buildings. Trees supplied by Barcham Trees.

 

is Atari and slinkies retro cool yet or should I leave them in the attic?

Dunno about cool, but I got one of those space invader gadgets of the market a while back, plugs straight in the back of the telly, great fun, plus I can work that, not like these X-box/PSP thingys