Andy Collins

With companies under-cutting one anothr in their hunger to get on the LA lists, corners will always be cut. Nothing really changes in this world of Arb. This fine emphasises where the real responsibility lies, and where the buck stops.

Yaffle, all the best for the future. I know only too well how hard this job becomes following major life changing (and saving) surgery. I wish I had the skills to do something else, but I didn't listen too well at school, so I'm stuck with it. Listen to your body, don't over-do it. Best wishes.

Blimey, I was 46 when I answered this, now I'm 49, where did those three years go ???

Just a different line of thought, and not something I'd thought of before. If you keep the batteries separated well away from the saw when it's not in use, surely it makes the saw less of a target to thieves?

When I started out, I was given a Husky 444. It was knackered. I had to strip it down, and rebuild it. I had it for nearly 18months until it was stolen. I cleaned it down every day and nursed it along until I had to buy new saws. I don't think it did any harm, it taught me a lot about saws. These days staff want everything shiny and new.

I also studied this little saw today, I already like the Echo range of trimmers and if this is as good then there should be no worries. Very comfortable (ergonomic) in the hand, I'm not in the market for a new topper, but if I was I'd seriously give this a go.

I have many fires, on site, it quicker than chipping, leaves little waste for disposal and is very cost effective labour wise. I am always mindful of wind direction and speed, I notify neighbours who may be affected if the wind does veer round. Quite often the fire is virtually burned out before the site is raked clean.

If your insurer has paid out, surely it belongs to them now, not the original owner?

That's a bit strong Tony, I mean I know David has gone a little doo-lally of late but I think he's mental rather than bacterial

I cannot compete in this area on the prices some are working for, I do not intend to try. I have had to diversify, supply other services related to the trade, things that others don't or can't do. If you can't make the way you run your business pay, change it. I have read and heard this so many times over the years, and no doubt it'll still be a hot topic in years to come.

I have an addictive personality, I know that if I started having "just a pint" it would've soon be "oh ok, just one more then" and then " sclluuuurrr blluuuuuuuurrrrgh goin home now" at 3 in the morning. So that's why I always set myself a no drink rule on weekdays. Now it's no problem.

I used to enjoy a drink or two, maybe more , but I always had a rule that I wouldn't drink on a work night, if I went to the pub on a Saturday, I didn't go on the road next day. Easy for me now, I'm teetotal, though I try not to preach

This is all very well, however, I know of many many good trainees who have been headhunted. It is more than just the £££s offered, but a whole package. If that whole package appears more attractive, he/she would be a fool to dismiss it. I was talking to a senior management friend at KierMG (now changed title, again) about this some time back, some companies make part of their business to train up new apprentices, fully aware that they will leave to go on to other companies who do not train. These "training" companies get paid well for putting the trainees through the system, and do not grudge the fact they will go on elsewhere. In my lads case, the company he worked for got tax relief on his training costs, for taking him as an apprentice, they got a sum from the training body as a form of compensation for his down time at the academy, and on succesful passing at the end, a very large lump sum award to the company, in the tens of thousands of £s. This is an incentive to the business to put further apprentices through the system. Ok, my lad did leave, to a much better job with more resposnsiblities, and more money, but he earned his position and had two companies head hunt him directly through the academy. Accepted business practise in the real world. Perhaps we as an industry could learn from other trades.

It's a tough lesson, it impacts so many more than just yourself. There always a way around the problem, as you've found.

Really, I can t believe the low figures yu lot are quoting either? The only time consumption reached low figures was when the tracking was out, and it dropped to about 25mpg. Mine is set up properly and regularly serviced, hell if it was returning those figures I wouldn't use it, it wouldn't be viable.

You don't have to agree, it's a discussion. My point is that it is a two way street, respect works both ways. The days of ripping the pee out of youngsters are long gone, bullying is frowned upon (and rightly so). IMO, if you can't communicate properly with someone, why should they bother to communicate properly with you. (This is not directed at any individual poster here, it a generalisation). Too many of us "oldies" think we've explained what we want, but it's rarely interpreted the same way by others. Many bosses walk around with their heads up their backsides, too wrapped up in what they're doing to really take note of how their decisions are affecting staff and morale. Is creates stresses on staff who then resent everything about the company they work for. If your company has a high turnover of staff, look to see why. If apprentices keep "letting you down" what is the underlying reason, bad staff, or bad management?

There are good and bad at all levels as well. I'm not taking sides really. Some youngsters can't and won't be told, won't listen, turn up late and do want to be on the phone all day. I wouldn't give this type the time of day either, whether apprentice or time served.

Were they sponsored by a very large crisp company then?

Sometimes, there is a far bigger picture. My youngest lad recently completed his apprenticeship a a technician in the motor trade. During that time, at times, he was treated with total disrespect, to the point he wanted to quit. Snide put downs and being told he was useless 90% of the time, (along with other members of staff) ground him down. I suggested he completed his apprenticeship, which he did. He passed his course with a major organisation with distinctions. He was head hunted by two rival companies and has left home to work for one of them. He's now been there a couple of months and thoroughly enjoys the team and the work. He gets respect for his abilities, paid well for his skills, and is one happy bunny. Years ago, had I been in his shoes for his past employer, I would have floored the idiots in charge and stormed out, ruining my future in the process. So when any of you moan about the youth of today, look at how you are percieved by them, would you like to be treated as you're treating them? Does the fact they wish to leave point to a problem you might have in your your.man management skills? Fact of life that well trained, good staff will leave and set up on their own, any one with a half a brain will, that's how most of us got where we are!

I had major surgery, resulting in the removal of my bowel, I'm lucky to be able to do some of what I used to, so I'm grateful. And it's not age related though I'm 50 this year, one lad was 18 having the same op when I was in. Hence why being self employed suits my needs these days.

I enjoy it for a different reason, these days. Due to a few little health issues, I don't have the stamina for long hard days any more. I'd go as far as to say I'm probably unemployable in this job these days. But I can pick and choose what work I take on, I have diversified to make the job suit my needs. Being self employed has given me freedom to work when I'm fit, and rest when I'm not. If things aren't right in the morning, I wait until they are right, if I don't start til ten then so be it, likewise if I finish at three, I don't have to explain myself to anyone. I am fortunate, I had a good client base already established before my illness, so I only had to make slight changes to continue.

^^^ mine is insured with NFU, just over £200 fully comprehensive.

This will probably ruffle a few feathers, but I've been thinking of writing this for some time now. I live probably 4 miles from a local saw shop. As such through traffic to and from there passes on the main bendy route from all points of the compass. On the side of the road in the last year I have found and handed to Suffolk Police: 1 x Stihl MS170 1 x hard hat with visor assembly One rope and harness One rope bag with rope In the past, I've seen stump grinders part company with the truck towing, a chipper left behind due to not being hitched correctly, a hydraulic power pack for a pole chainsaw in the bend of another road. My point is, are people really having as much stuff stolen as claimed, or are they having it literally "fall off the back of a lorry"? None of the above items were in any way connected, happened over a period of time, so are not just one company on the same daily route. I found the owner of the hard hat assembly and sent them to the Police, but nothing else. Small items such as carabiners, strops, slings usually manifest themselves when I go to a new job and they're still where they were left. I'm not saying all cases are not theft, but do try to at least take all your kit home with you, and make sure your teams do too. Stow gear securely on vehicles.

Life's too short, if you want to give something a go, then do it.

Life has a nasty way of dealing out the cards, you have to make the best of the hand you're given. If you need to cycle to work to get/keep a job, then do it. If you're going to be late, ring in ASAP and let the boss know, it's courtesy. If you're feeling ill for a day, let the boss know. Never assume everyone knows your situation, especially if they pay you. Have you been around the local pubs, asking if they need the gardens tending, and likewise the big posh houses in your area? on a computer you could make up really nice flyers to drop in letter boxes that introduce you and help open doors. Put up a notice in local post offices, village shops and bus shelters. On e you get an opening, and do a good job, people will talk and will recommend you. Just beware, do a bad job or be unreliable and your bad name will spread even faster. And finally, I've read through this entire thread, and all I see is people trying to help, encourage and advise you, yet you come back defensively and at times appear ungrateful. These are all people who may be in a position to change your life in some small way. You need others more than they need you, I hope you appreciate that small detail.