Andy Collins

Ed, IIRC you have made a statement in the past on here re:this very topic, I can't be bothered to trawl abut to find it, but once said people do remember it. These words are then brought back to haunt you. Its very easy to build up a picture of how someone thinks from their posts, and this may or not be how you really intended to come across. Many of us have seen the care-less attitude of staff trashing equipment, just because it's not theirs and they don't care, it happens everywhere, so I can quite understand people jumping on you in the way you came across. Don't take offence, take notice and bear it in mind, look around yourself, look at others and you'll see what we see.

I've been there twice specifically to buy it, out of stock on both occasions, that's 2 20mile round trips, wasted time and effort. And when asked when the new stock was coming in I didn't exactly get the feeling they wanted to bother telling me. As for other stock, I can get more for less elsewhere, though I haven't really pushed for deals on the odd occasion I've been there. Getting across there in shop hours always seems to be difficult after work too. Anyway, this is about extending the list of suppliers in an area that I operate, otherwise I may as well stick to service station fuels, within 2 miles and on the way to most of my work.

@ WoodEd, I guess what some are trying to say here is just because a machine claims to be capable of handling 9" timber, you wouldn't run it at that size all day, as it will speed up the wear on the machine. Because it's not your machine, that's not your problem, but your employers, and that's alright cos he'll/they'll buy another when its broken. Most on here buy their kit themselves, and look after it, they would not appreciate someone ragging it all day every day to the point of destruction. Just because a car is capable of 120mph, it doesn't mean you would drive it all the time everywhere at 120mph, but at a maximum of perhaps 80mph. I suspect this is really so much of a dig at you personally, but at everyone who canes machinery to an early death.

Over the years, bottles of wine, beers, a couple of old chainsaws which I got running and sold on, an Elwell axe head (blooming huge) 3/4 of a shed (one side missing) an assortment of wire strops for timber, and a set of timber chains with shorteners, oh and 2 tirfor winches with cable for each, an old pre-Echo Power Pruner that still runs like a good un, and a pole vice. Think that's it.

I think the Echo power tools are fine, not tried the saws but the trimmers are excellent, so if they've paid as much attention to the toppers they should be good. I think I have a local Echo dealer too, othr be worth a look at some of their other saws too.

Thanks Garden Kit, that's that issue cleared up then. I'll be honest, I'm being overly pedantic about it. Would I ask such questions about engine oil, no I wouldn't! Why? Because oils and fuels generally dont make a claim about being environmentally firiendly, healthier or anything other than better for your engines. Aspen fuel does make these claims, so has to be holier than thou over every angle IMO, and this also can help to justify their price. of course, I can't hold Aspen responsible for my storage issues, risks of theft or anything else, but that's another point. If this product is available at enough outlets in every ones location, it will sell better and this helps bring prices down a little. Aspen, here's a couple of outlets, local to me, central for many others in Mid Suffolk, one is a chainsaw shop/chipper hire shop, Chipper-tech 01449616665, a local tire and garden equipment unit Fieldens 01449675071, and a general hardware store Lawes of Bacton 01449781452. Here's the deal, if you can get any one of these outlets to stock your products, a) I will buy it and b) I shall make a donation of £20 to the forums charity, the Children's Trust. If you fail to engage any of the three above named, I hope you will donate an equal sum. I think it's fair to draw a line under this, say Dec 24th 2012. Aspen, do you accept my challenge?

Husky did this with their topper, don't recall any issues oher than the handle got in the way of the filler spout.

I pretty much worked that way on the Robinia, partly cos I always let saws warm up and same down anyway, thanks for the tips. Looking forward to getting my rail kit, got the 4x2's ready to go.

I know I come across hard on this product, but I'm sure many consumers see it the same way. I'm not putting the product itself down, I can't, I haven't used it. But I have spoken to local dealers, big local dealers, if it's just not viable for them to stock it then they won't. This isn't me making it up, but one of the biggest Arb employers and dedicated shops in the areas words. The problems of Anglo-American being a small company are not my problems, surely distribution and a network of dealers is crucial to making their business work, creating a demand for a product is half of it, supplying that demand is the other. Storage is an issue, whatever anyone says. Not just from a fire safety point of view, but theft also. Id hate to invest in say a pallet load to have some lowlife relieve me of it, at least I don't have that worry with a local service station. Another thing, which I hadn't considered is the environmental impact of the containers. What is the position with recycling the plastics? I don't mean the disposal points at the local HWRC, I mean the grade of plastics. Generally, plastics in the 1-3 bracket can be fully recycled into new containers, 4-7 plastics are simply dumped at landfill, as they are too toxic to incinerate, or properly recycle. Has this been looked into by AAOC? Howndo you seriously store a pile of empty inflammable cans in the mean time, if the fuel doesnt "go off" it's inflammability factor is going to near eternal, so even when you've emptied you still have a volatile situation, yet another risk assessment I presume. A final point, slightly Tongue in cheek, would the Dragons Den mob invest in this product? Would it meet their criteria for a viable business? I wonder?.

I like that set up

Any job now requiring concise communication is now done on two-ways, and any hand signals are pretty much as Pete describes. When in the highway scenario, the controlling groundie will ensure positive signals with both hands for either a definitive "Stop" or thumbs up for "Go" as in the past we have found that one hand maybe less visible, or even concealed from view behind foliage. For health reasons, I'm out of action on most of these jobs for the time being, but when I'm back in the thick of things I'll certainly use some of them where applicable.

I agree with Jamie on the Stop/Go scenario two on boards, one grounding/coordinating/controlling the site ground level. Most STop/Go teams seem to need someone to make sure the Stop/Goers are not Stop/Stopping or Go/Going, seemingly intelligent beings in all other walks of life seem to be confused by the complexities of the Stop/Go boards.

Hmm if it's an emergency stop situation, Im guessing it will also be a little more vocal as well. It's good to draw attention to signalling, though I agree with Pete, you wouldn't want to drop your rope on the ground to signal with both hands, it might get chipped

Good idea. Definite clear signals are important, especially on a dull wet day where visibility can be reduced. Don't forget, typical Arb company clothing tends to be dark with blues or greens, which can make signals virtually invisible against a dark back drop, so make sure you can be seen clearly.

Those pictures paint a vastly different image than what I imagined you meant!! others have pretty much summed it up quite well now. Yes with an Alaskan mill you use the left hand on the trigger handle, but you have rails that will keep you away from the chain, and I'd guess kickback is virtually impossible as your unlikely to dig in the top quarter of the bar tip first. It's virtually a different tool to a saw being used in the traditional manner.

Ive just checked beneath the filter, and it's very negligible amount of dust beneath it. I recalled reading about this mod when I first got the mill, and just wondered if there was any mileage in it. I think you've answered my question really tree beard:thumbup1:

My point is, if I buy a bulk load of Aspen, Im then required to also buy a specialised storage facility to contain it for H&S purposes, and insurance. It just get dearer and dearer! If I had a service station with said storage facilities already in place, why would I not use that instead, and avoid the expense of having my own? I'm not that bothered, If you want the names of local businesses in my locality (which is under my avatar) there are plenty of means of obtaining them, your the sales department. Outside of chainsaw use, there are countless hardware stores, that could be stocking your product, B&Q etc one of those in every major town, I take it you've approached them? I have no doubts as to the benefits of your products, but until it is available locally it is not a viable product for me, at this time, I certainly don't have the time or the inclination to search the length and breadth of the county for a possible supplier who may or may not still stock your product. PS, I am the consumer, I can compare whatever product I wish with whatever other product I choose, it's my money.

That's it Rob, sure I found something a time ago probably on one of the American forums, fitting an extra filter to keep more finer dust out of carb?

Mick no!!!! It'll turn the ladder into a see-saw!!!

I'd start a thread asking in your area, there's several from down your way on here, though how close I don't know. As for training, a refresher would top up your knowledge, and update you with changes in the last 18 years or so, again ask for someone in your area. Hope is helps, most on here are keen to assist if asked.

IIRC it is possible to mod the Stihl saws with an air filter system off the Stihl Paddys motorbikes (disc cutters) to help with cleaner running? I can't find anything about this, or is it my imagination, or is it not even necessary?

Ok we're getting somewhere, 10years experience, cs30. Aiming to take more tickets as finances allow, you have a "can-do" attitude that means you can think on the spot, and react to different situations, you are keen to learn more about the trade and hope to be an asset to any team you work with. Don't hide your light under a bushel, sell yourself here, use the forum in your quest. Let people know what your about. How about a driving licence? clean? + trailer licence? HGV? These are valuable to an employer! employers don't tend to do the running, if you want it you have to push for it. Hope this helps. I have edited the thread title to mention your area.

Ok, keep within your comfort zone, climb up the middle of the hedge, strop in, and do it. A long reach trimmer will reach the sides without you leaving the ground if you need a ladder for the sides, hire a Henchman or similar, or fix the ladder so it can't move, board across the top of the ladder stops it sinking through the hedge, but this is probably frowned upon these days. You could also hire a platform (small scaffold type) just depends on the job.

Interetingly point of view, and I can see where you are coming from, this does lead me to think that many would leave the woodlands to their own devices, rather than spend good money on proper management. So it brings it back around to the fact that its going to be the city type down sizing for a less stressful lifestyle who would do this for the fun of it. As far as the pig shelter, I was expecting him to wall the sides with straw or something, pigs like to be warm and dry, not a draught.

How much relevant experience does a person have who has cs30, and is quick to learn actually have? Sell yourself a little better to your target Market. do you have any other skills that may be of use to a company, mechanical etc? Not putting you down, but it's a very competitive Market.