Andy Collins

Cheers, I'll take you up on that I'm not totally blinkered against the stuff, it is the local supply that is an issue for me. Certainly hedgetrimming it would he a boon. I have nothing to go towards Hadleigh for, certainly not the rest of this year anyway.

He isn't working for an LA you know

Ok given your argument about the cost of advertising, as it's considerably dearer than regular pump fuel, there should be sufficient funds to advertise the product, a basic of any business is to successfully promote itself? I must admit a little confusion in my mind, as I understood the Anglo-American Oil Company Ltd to be a multi-national industry, as the original name belonged to Esso (Exxon group) but as I understand it I was mistaken on that, and it's a lot smaller business than I imagined. Anyway I digress, if Shell and other big players are doing this type of fuel, and if it is so good for us, why are the pumps not using it now? I mean the vehicular uses of petrol products make our piddly little trade pale into insignificance. Or is there a hidden agenda?

It was indirectly because if my health issues that I tried to source the stuff locally, if I'd been healthy I would never have considered it, but because of the length of down time I thought it would be better for the machines to use it. As I've said before, it's not up to the buyer to do their marketing, if the product is that good, then surely they would be placing it in as many outlets as possible to get it out there, get it accepted then move it forward. sorry, but I see no proper advertising campaign, excluding a banner ad here and there, and a little caption in FJ magazine. The wider audience is surely the domestic Market, and this should be addressed. Shell and similar spend a vast amount on Advertising campaigns, why don't Aspen aim a specific tv ad at domestic users.

Talking to a chap just today with a set of "vanity plates" on his Evoque, just got a £560 fine for having the letters spaced incorrectly, I said surely it should be around £30 per plate, he reckoned it was cos he had it specifically manufactured to break the law, hence the clout. I personally wouldn't be interested in them, my brother has them on his Defender, not my cuppa tea though. Each to their own.

re:Aspen too dear to sit on shelves, my statement was based on the words of a local retailer who had bought a pallet a couple of years ago, the fuel sat in the showroom in a prime location, it didnt sell. The company is also one of the largest Arb companies in the East Anglian region with I understand approx 250 staff. I even asked their tree guys what fuel they use and it's good old pump fuel. Now if they can't see the wisdom of using Aspen, I think I would be hard pressed to be convinced to. I was going to try some as I've been out of regular work this year, I felt it may be better in my machines with long periods of non use, but it cannot be bought locally. It would be ridiculous to travel for a good hour solely to purchase it. So it's not me just being pedantic and stubborn on the matter, the supply chain just isn't there.

Surely though, someone somewhere wishes their product to actually sell, so Market forces dictate whether or not it does sell. If the price is too high for many, it will not sell, if it drops, more will convert to the product. It's simple economics. I will not see beyond the price, it's the price that makes the product unviable as an alternative, drop the price and I may well change my opinion. As I've said before, of the claimed outlets for this fuel, few still exist in my area, so maybe where an increase is claimed it is simply because the list is not updated, new dealers are listed, but those who no longer stock are not deleted. I care not either way really. I've tried to get a couple of local places to buy it in, they've looked into it and just laughed that it will not sell. Shelf space is expensive if a product gathers dust, other products that sell quicker are more likely to be stocked in it's place. I don't need Aspen, maybe as much as Aspen needs me, and many others like me. The ball is in their court, they can either attempt to play or I'll just buy another ball.

If he's anything like his avatar I'd be very very wary of meeting him anywhere

I think ignorance in general of men's health issues is the biggest killer. We are loathed to discuss things with other men for fear of looking weak. This has to change, my ignorance of my health nearly proved fatal, but for timely intervention, and I stupidly blundered onwards trying to work when I was at my sickest, in denial maybe. We are not invincible, oh yes our minds trick us to think we can take on anything, but we can't. Health issues, however seemingly trivial, must be checked out as soon as they crop up, so the docs have the best chance of curing you before it's too late.

Hello Salter. Most of the harnesses on the Market are very good, the best suggestion is that you get along to an Arb supplier such as BTS at Needham Mkt and try different harnesses out, s they all have pros and cons. Also we are all different shapes and sizes too, so what is good for me, is not necessarily good for you.

Hi salter, welcome to Arbtalk. So is this work experience a paid position you are looking for, or voluntary? Will you be doing a day release course, a block release?

Get the biggest you can, it'll always be only just big enough, I'd stick with the Ali too, cos that's what I have.

Ive heard this everywhere I've tried to buy the stuff in this area, it is just too expensive for dealers to stock and have sitting on their shelves for years. Most people will not buy at the rate it is. It may be a top quality, premium product, but it is one that I shan't be for the foreseeable future, as the nearest dealer is now around 30miles away, yet I have more saw shops in this area than I can count on one hand, says it all really.

So is that a full eggbox? Does it pay you to keep all your eggs in one box?

That sir, is a great picture, and congratulations for achieving what you sought to achieve. I'm sure the Silky Fox isnt done yet, and I look forward to following the Further Adventures of the Silky Fox, the Sequel:thumbup1:

Sounds like you may be flooding the carb?

I will move it only if all concerned are happy for it to be "out there" to a wider audience. hope evrything is working out ok for you both btw.

@ WoodEd, I've worked for people where doing something like that would be the last day you worked there, and you'd get kicked up the backside from everyone else for messing up perfectly good kit. Not really a clever move, but does demonstrate how machines get abused by employees.

On the flip side, I have one and was pleased with it's results. I got it to save bending so much, in particular when doing formal box parterre where it's vital to remove all cut matter off the plants and gravel. I've also used it for final clear ups once the raking is done, rather than blow stuff into the hedge base only for it to blow back out after the first puff of wind. I compared it to a macculloch blower/vac I had years ago, much improvement. I've also used it for sawdust removal from lawns in smart places where the final tidy is very important. Gets a from me.

Are you rehydrating enough? Easy oversight when it's not so hot, we tend to think we don't need so many fluids, but we do.

All done by txt Dave, I tried through the linky but it shut down 3times so I gave up, at least the txt works. Good luck with it, damn good cause

Oh it's about a job

Well all told I'm going to stick with my new system, it's gentle accurate and efficient.

If you want a saw that looks the business, is ergonomic and is a reputable brand, Husky. If you want a reliable, powerful top handle saw that is the business, is ergonomic and has earned it's reputation through reliability...Stihl. Give you an idea of the popularity of the Stihl/Husky top handles, local dealer sold 2 335s since they came out, and countless 200ts, that much difference!! Me? I'd go for the Stihl.

Are you on Apple or Android? Did you update at home via wifi or on site? I update daily and have had no issues that you speak of.