Marc

I want it, seriously get a wiggle on Dean can't wait.

I agree it will not make you quicker, so far I have not found that SRT saves effort only on ascent but then we have known this for years. When working the tree DdRT used effectively is also very efficient. What I like about SRT is it's more interesting and opens up new positioning options making life simpler, I like simple. I had untold amounts of kit, since moving to srt I've stripped right down so that I barely need anything, as my access and work positioning roll into one I have no need for seperste srt access system, cambium savers and the like just one rope harness and 2 ascenders.

I'll have to keep this away from my boss it's right up his street. All joking aside for a few hundred quid it would be a good buy providing the fabrication is sturdy enough. Not sure I'd want to take it on the open road! But on that one job pulley by quad/avant/tracked chipper it could probably, probably be handy

The stock is paid for by the developers, chosen and laid out by the Landscape architect. We just do everything else, I barely get involved as it not my area, I will occasionally help with the unloading on delivery days. That pic is one of the last artic's to be unloaded, 4 artic's a day 2 trees per artic-they are properly shoe horned in with tree weights between 4-6ton, a week to unload and probably 3 weeks to plant. Handling them at this time of year is the most stressful part as the bark is very prone to damage.

Not tried the any modern TW that compares to a ST8 yet if the 230 is anything to go by the new 8" TW will also be impressive. We have a TW230 and an ST6. Our local hire centre only runs Forsts....

Thought I'd post something other than trees being removed. One of our larger tree planting projects under way.

Weight is not an issue for us so much, although being under 3.5t helps with options getting machine onto some sites. Performance is what I am interested in.

Confusingly minimum is full! I guess it's due to the tapered double tanks built around the flywheel shaft. Still prefer the Timberwolf for out and out performance, but the Forst customer service and build quality is first rate cannot fault them and when money has to be earned that goes a long way.

Does it have the same tier engine as the 1390, and honestly what do you think will be the better performing machine is the 1390 without taking weight into consideration.

Can we have one? Do you have a demo model?

Nicely put.

When terminated like that the cobra system will not bite and can eventually over time simple walk itself out.

If there is a genuine fault perhaps synthetic is not the answer, Josh said it best. Although I have used ultra static at a hotel where it is the only tree within a quad, fire and trees are not a major issue in the UK so I have no problem specifying one. I would also specify invasive steel and have done recently to hold firm an identified fault, this was in a private garden and the owner was well briefed on the risks, it was also a maple and in my opinion maple do not take well to invasive systems so suitable slings where used similar to these Tree Guard Noninvasive Dynamic Tree Cabling again an individual tree within an expanse of lawn is hardly liable to fire damage.

Cannot say for sure but that looks incorrectly installed looks like they have done some kind of Brummell lock? Any poorly fitted system will fail.

Durability is a factor, I have replaced several early synthetic systems that have reached their service life usually 10years in nearly all cases the brace still appeared to do its function. Cobra should not be tight it needs a little say in it hence the shock absorber, a former hanger would for the most part be static and the fibres being thick do tolerate a certain amount of abrasion so in such an unlikely event I doubt it would prove significant. Fires are not an issue I have to contend with not sure of that link you posted, don't want to be rude but pushed for time right now.

Generally no if installed correctly and regularly inspected, like everything poor installation will cause problems. With regards to fire, I think if the environment you work in has this potential then you need to specify a suitable system, like has been said in the UK it's not an issue we need to deal with. If a synthetic system was installed in a large tree as primary (not supplementary) support over a high risk target and it failed due to fire and caused harm in a fire risk area that's a poor installation and not a fault of the product. If large or significant portions of tree over a high risk target require bracing and if that bracing is the only garantee of ensuring it doesn't fail then perhaps other options should be considered.

There is a place for both systems, Cobra style systems should never be used on a clear weak union that has begun to fail this is clearly stated by Cobra in there literature. Much like how Picus clear state you should never fell a tree based on the results it gives. So Cobra has a pretty good get out clause there in case of failure. More thought it always needed. I have seen many steel cable installations fail usually because a lag bolt was screwed in rather than a right through and back plate. Species such as Oak and Horse Chestnut are a particular problem due to the amount of tanins I guess in the wood react with the invasive steel bolt, species like beech on the other hand will completely envelop the bolt securely in time. On the flip side I have seen and worked on trees with historic good quality steel cable bracing installation. I have noticed in some cases the tree has become weak and look dependent on the brace for support in one instance on a heavy Beech lateral the cross section had become oval where the limb had put on incremental growth in the directions it could move but nothing in the support direction, I almost felt had we cut the wire the limb would fail. We carried out a reduction of the limb and installed a large steel a frame prop. So neither system is perfect and both need regular inspection and adjustment. As for the Cobras ability to hold a failed limb, I can honestly say if installed correctly it'll support a massive load! We condemned an Oak many years ago, but the council refused our application to fell and instead pushed reduction and brace which we did, several years later the tree failed unzippering from the bifurcation down in high winds, the cobra held it all together. In hind sight maybe a steel static system would of been better but I still question the be fit of retaining a tree with such obvious defects in an urban environment unless it has a real value. I would really like to carry out more steel cable bracing, the main issue is expense, cobra is simple and quick even the static systems to install and do work, and like all systems if the tree has a significant defect it need yearly or bi yearly inspection in reality it's cheap and quick enough to just replace every 5 years. Again I have seen 10 year old Cobra that is still perfectly functional only it either needs adjusting or moving higher, trees are dynamic they grow so non invasive synthetic dynamic or static systems or well suited to the task or growing with the tree.

A bit of bounce is good though, not to much. I have 2 lots of cougar one is static as hell the other much like any other good en1891 rope Overtime though the static cougar has relaxed into a more semi static feel which is nice. I've had tachyons that are nice and wear well and others that become horribly bouncy in a short time. Never 2 ropes the same even if they are the same role if that makes sense. One thing I found with really static ropes like dyneema (not recommended!) is they can be harsh on your knees so some give well helps to reduce stress and fatigue and if a little slip happens you have some absorption. Yale did a test with 20,000lb'ish static ultrex if I recall correctly v 6,000lb semi static climbing line like Yale xtc, the ultrex failed at 1400 lb (100kgs falling 6ft) where as the 6000lb XTC survived multiple falls. Makes me often wonder why we use tenex for rigging where a weaker dynamic rope would be more suitable.

the whole it's a young mans game attitude needs to change, the best in the industry I have worked with are in their 40's to 70's young guys lack experience.

Why not? Not that I am a rock star by any stretch, but I do alright I am hired help. I only run a top handle and my climbing kit everything else is supplied so my kit costs are fairly low and everything related to being freelance is offset against tax. Been doing this a while and have really enjoyed everything I have done, being a freelance isn't exclusively being a rock star climber, I turn my hand to anything I can, and the more varied my work other than being a rock star climber means I have a skill set and experience which is valued (I hope!) for those I work for. I am not a beast worker I am not the guy who is going to day in day out do an epic day it's not sustainable, I am in it for the long haul. I am a freelance worker with absoloutly no intention of starting my own business, to me starting my own business is not sustainable over the years I have seen many a small outfit form and fizzle out. Basically I feel freelancers are an important part of this industry as experience is king.

Hi all is anyone interested in some large Monkey Puzzle trunk sections, approx 8ft long 1.3m diameter? Pretty chunky monkey so holefully it can be put to good use. Timber is located near Theale Reading and can be loaded onto a trailer there are 4 sections availible. PM or post here if your interested and I will send you contact information.

I think you misunderstand me I realised a long time ago no one is impressed or really gives a crap about the job I do, other than those within the industry. Who may be intrested. I am not foolish enough to think low rates of pay among some of those in our industry is exploitation either it's just simple economics like you said you get what you get. At the same time I would like to see the economics of tree work improve, but alas it seems most of us never did so well in school and Maths is not our strong point But again sadden by the response here towards my hopes of this becoming an improving industry

And Bumble B Not talking about individual recognition I am talking about the industry recognition in general. Like I have already made clear, tree work is just another day in the office we are nothing more than urban foresters. Yet it still takes a solid skill base to undertake the more difficult aspects of this job. If you really think we are nothing more than unskilled gardeners hanging from a rope then nothing I am going to say will change that.

Price is price surely? When I look to put forward quotations on jobs it makes no difference wether it be commercial or domestic as at the end of the day the same money needs to be made to cover costs and hopefully make profit...

Fair play to the guy in the video, there is a clear line between circumstance of surroundings, in the UK this is not how we do it nor is it how we should do it, we should always look to minimise our risks and do the job in as safe and proficient manner as possible an in doing this raise the profile of our industry as a skilled and professional one that deserves recognition and better rates of pay. I just felt the video lent nothing to the topic at hand.