Marc

No offence bud, but that picture proves a point there is no reason to use the saw one handed in that position, you could of gone higher and got a more comfortable position and used the saw with both hands, instead you reached above you straining your body unnecessarily. I rarely use a chainsaw for reduction work mainly because I hate lugging it around,and like nothing more that to climb in standard trousers and boots. When I do use a chainsaw I often one hand.

My Cougar Blue has what I can only describe as a braid fart where a braid in the inner core has skipped, so when I descend on a hitch I feel a slight notch, it's these and other manufacturing inconsistencies in Donaghys products that are a little annoying. Also my Cougar is totally static compared to other cougar blue rope I have climbed on, and I really wanted a little give.

You'll be thinking wish I had a hitch backing that up just before you hit the ground!

Have a look online see what takes your fancy at a price you think is reasonable then ask for opinions on it. How your using the rope is also helpful to know, like Dobson has said some ropes work better with mechanical devices. Tachyon is a good all rounder. I also like the Yale 12mm lines such as Limelight/Blue Moon, personally not to keen on the Yale Imori but that's my own opinion.

So I've heard, I'm still waiting more feedback on this, seriously I've just been waiting for an updated improved version Uni. At the moment I'd rather buy a zig zag and whack a RW on it for ascent and still work the tree on my hitchclimber, but this is just a frivolous expense for not much gain other than a slightly safer mode of access. Otherwise the Uni would just be a direct replacement for my croll. I'm also getting tired of my rope walker system and really want to refine that. The Unicender is such an old bit of kit, it really has more potential, this is what I respect the most about Kevin Bingham, his constant refinement, improvement and problem solving skills.

depends we are not all equal in the way we apply ourselves in the work place. When I worked with someone who used a uni he had to run 2 as life span was only 3 months before they needed servicing, this was the Thompson tree tools device, although when rock exotica took it on the professional intensive life span was stated at only 3months so put me off making the purchase. I do not climb so much so would probably get a decent life span. It's also never been about the money for me, if I can see a tools true value to saving me time and energy I will buy it. As for change overs it always been like that and our preferred work method, we all use srt ascent, an appropriate line is installed and used only for access and left in the tree for the duration of the works unless it gets in the way, we often climb with 2 or more in a tree. Hell once we had 5 climbers in a tree all used the same ascent rescue line. I couldn't imagine climbing without having an independent access line in place.

Depends on the situation, to back up an ascendor I do not see the point.

So you would say the Unicender is where it's at then. My only concern was service life, it's a lot of money for something that may only last a year. Hopefully they will bring out a more durable one.

I agree with your opinion, though we cannot draw similarities with irata our needs differ. I have always been a little concerned with using toothed ascenders as my sole means of attachment ascending the tree, at the same time we have to be realistic here it's not like I or the many other daily commercial climbers I work with have been playing Russian roulette all these years and I can assure you my safety is extremely important to me, I am neither fool hardy or reckless in my approach to tree work. In regards to these accidents are there any details you can give or references to what occurred? Again let's be realistic accidents occur I know of a few even when climbing using industry best practice-human error, equipment failure and the organic living structures we climb. I appreciate there are better alternatives as yet I have not seen many perfect quick and easy systems other than a unicender to suit my needs. I am still waiting, when I look into my crystal ball I do see something on the horizon:sneaky2: Until then I'll carry on looking down the barrel of the gun.

I still use the F8 to descend on rare occasions using srt without the revolver, it's a good technique to know as it requires parts that most of us already have gathering dust in the bottom of our kit bags.

Reducing over mature Lombardy Poplar is in my opinion pointless and will only lead to more regular costly maintenance and possibly reduced stability decay issues. By all means have it looked at by a professional, a Lomabrdy at 35m is pretty much full grown and very mature so my recommendations if it's in good health showing good vitality is to leave it alone or remove and replant. I would not reccomended reducing. Your mums neighbour bought the house with the tree there, I do not see how they have a right to force you to remove it unless it is unsafe. Although Lombardy poplar is known to shed limbs as you have observed.

Normally just choke my line to the stem, not a fan of figure 8's in tree work. If I am concerned about friction on a single leg of line preventing quick bail out I.'ll use a short sling large ring and carabiner above the hitch like the revolver f8 technique I'll try to upload a pic, or just YouTube f8 revolver technique. Over girth hitching or friction savers I prefer choking my line as its easier to move down the stem, also you can twist it around the stem on leaning stems to help give you support if that makes sense.

Rope access guys often climb with a independent back-up and have absorbers or other safety built in. They also secure their lines themselves, unlike us where we set our lines remotely with throw lines. In 7 years srt access I have had 2 badly placed high anchors thankfully nothing serious happened, I,'ve always climbed on 2 toothed ascendors backed up to each other.

Hi all looking for additional staff for a site clearance job at RAF Uxbridge the job is expected to last 4-6 weeks and is already under way, any experience and ability considered, along with a flexible approach to days. Day rate negotiable and paid reliably each week. Come have some fun with a relaxed crew on a big site. PM me for more details.

Another attachment hole a la hitchclimber, bigger pulley with deeper more rounded recess to prevent rope damage and improve fair leading when the role is deflected over a branch, and an option without swivel. Basically hitch climber with the links

For me it has not made me think of Petzl differently, and from what I gather sales of the zig zag are strong. Personally I feel more confident with Petzl now because of how they so publically handled the situation, shame I don't care for it so much until they make the improvements that would suit me.

My sentiments exactly, pay your staff a good wage. Buy them coffee, take em out for a meal every now and then, show them you appreciate what they do, put them on paid courses which will benefit both you and them give them good kit that they want. This for me is the best incentive.

We are all different, I worked for companies with incentive schemes and did not really like it, you have good days you have bad, and not all jobs are equal and such, so judging when incentive is due and to who, etc My feeling is just find good staff and pay them a good wage and hang on to them, Amman in the industry on the tools for 15 years is worth a lot, if you beast him and he wears out that's a lot of experience lost.

Been using sterling HTP in 10 for several years as an access line great stuff in my opinion. Need to replace mine soon was thinking beal dynastat to be different or another sterling HTP. 9mm should be fine, depending on how you use and inspect it. Out of interest how are you using the gri gri 2?

Agreed and pruning to BS3998 is not required by law or in general unless stated by the council in regards to a tpo or bs5837. One thing I will disagree on is veteran tree management, this tree looks like it will have the vigour to cope. Although it is my belief that the trees stability has been impaired, due to excessive limb reduction reducing the root to shoot ratio, along with the energy being removed from the tree leaving it more susceptible to pathogens or other stress related disorders. It probably will cope though. My understanding of veteran management is not a one hit spanking right out, it needs to be phased retrenchment over years, a single heavy hit to an old tree showing signs of decline could potentially see its demise and reduce its stability. If I can be bothered one day I will show tree given the veteran treatment several years ago in my area, most are now dead monoliths and they could not cope with so much being removed at one time, although it could be argued they were already in decline.

The 660 as you know is a good saw with a proven record for reliability, the 661 is an unknown. Still I bet when the 661 comes out it will not be long before you you get one:sneaky2:

Non your obsessed :biggrin:did you get a 660?

As I understand they were not recalled, we still run ours, and I know a few others running them to. They just ceased production after a "few" developed running problems. Now I've had a 661 for a prolonged length of time I would not be happy with a 660, I am curious to see what changes if any are made when it's brought back to market.

Indeed this my understanding towards celox. It is well marketed which I think can mislead us in its suitability for our needs which I'm not convinced it is. There is a big difference between trauma on the battlefield in remote locations, and the sort of trauma we may face. Although I'm not an expert in the field of treating severe injuries..... Avoidance is the best option and good first aid training, cannot stress enough it's the one thing you really want to refresh on a regular basis!

3-5 times!!!!! I would look at cell as a once in a life time hope to never need it product. You also have to be very careful to not get it in your eyes, my understanding is it's really only for the battlefield. A good dressing, pressure possibly a tourniquet is all I'd hope to ever need to administer.