Rentachimp

Yeah, of course you should use a big saw when you need it, like on big timber. I meant 'don't use the 441 just because the 341 is blunt (unless you can't sharpen it) or behind it in the toolbox. Right tool for the job, so to speak

This is a textbook way to protect yourself or your employer from HAVS; Upgrade from your rattly old machines to shiny, new, low-Vib versions. Other tried and tested methods are: Share trigger time out between employees; Use a manual tool e.g. brush; Use a smaller saw with less vibration. This Syndrome could effect us all. I'm starting to feel it and i'm only 24. It's not a matter to shrug off like you're immune just because you're a small business. You owe it to yourself and your employees to minimise risk and damage caused at work. Macho Man threats of sacking are laughable, in my opinion. It's like saying 'I'm going to sack you because you won't cut-and-hold, or because you make sure you clear an escape zone when you fell, or you won't start off a diesel siphon with your mouth.

Ha ha; sorry Bob. It's up to 100. Over 100, your employer is legally obligated to have your health monitored on a regular basis, on their time and money, and over 400 points is illegal.

The problem is the handheld blowers, by and large. I, for one, have used a handheld blower for over 15 minutes on countless occasions; sometimes you make a big mess and need a big cleanup. Backpacks take all the vibration risk out of blowing (even if you used one constantly for 6 hours you wouldn't reach the daily limit). I'd just like to highlight the fact that the figures are for trigger time. As blowers, like hedge trimmers and brush cutters are very heavy on trigger time, it is easy to rack up a lot of capillary and nerve damage in a short time. Chainsaws, unless you are sectioning or cross-cutting, are relatively light on trigger time - think of how many seconds your hand is squeezing the throttle on a crown thin, a fell or prepping branches to chip. Also, the vib figures for the day are all your trigger times on every tool added together. I think these ratings are correct: Stihl MS200t: 10 mins = 5 vib points Stihl MS341: 10 mins = 4 vib points Stihl BG85: 10 mins = 26 vib points Stihl BR550 (backpack): 10 mins = 4 vib points Stihl HS45: 10 mins = 36 vib points Stihl MS880: 10 mins = 25 vib points The blower has a Vibration rating of 8.5, by the way. In contrast, the Stihl MS880, is rated at only 7.8. The HS45, a hedge trimmer we have all used, I'm sure, gets and impressive 10.0 points, Stihls worse tool, vibration wise. All this Guff is from STIHL UK's Website, by the way.

4 minutes is too much, apparently, and 12 mins is illegal. Also, anti-vib gloves do not work as they are meant for different types of vibration. I know these things as I attended a seminar when I worked for a large contractor, and we had to fill in sheets every week detailing our daily trigger time on each tool.

I try and get two high anchors if possible, anyway; makes branchwalking a lot easier, imo.

Trained with Neath & Port-Talbot Council but left after 18 months because of crap pay.

There are ones for brushcutters, though. They'd get blunted pretty quickly, I'd have thought.

you can use a blakes in a trad. system, though, right?

These are for brushcutters, yeah?

I have also had problems with the 357. Difficult to start, had to replace the auto-decompression valve with a manual type and the pistons have broken thrice. husky fixed it every time, but obviously not that well...

Yes; common mixup.

This is why I'm thinking about getting out of this game, to be honest.

Cannon Horticulture run all of their trucks back overloaded practically every day. The boys would get the stick if they were stopped, but since most companies flaunt the rules, nobody sees it as a big deal, even boasting about what a load they carried back from x location!

I was fine, yeah, but nobody has a Christmas present off me this year as i got sacked on the 9th of December.

These guys put me on the power lines with a polesaw but without training and i dropped a branch across 2 33Kv lines so it blew some stuff up. It was downhill from there, really, as I wouldn't take his abuse.

441 is a totally ferocious, 70cc beast. You will fear it. It kicks the crap out of the 440. I have used both saws side-by-side and there is a remarkable difference in power. It has the same air filtration system as the 121cc 880. However, it's pretty heavy to lug around all day and, unless you're cross cutting a lot of hardwood, you're probably better off with a 361/341 as the vibration rating is considerably lower. You can pretty much use the 341 all day without getting into damaging levels of vibration. The 441 has about 4 times as much vibration. Remember, whatever saw you get, get a professional model. Husky call them xp, but, although the **1 numbering guides you a little, the stihl system isn't as clear. See their website for more details.

I've had the treeflex for a few months now but haven't climbed all that much as I was working for an utility firm and they decided not to take me on anyway. It's very nice harness, though, and I find that it actually feels more comfortable when you have a saw hanging off it. Clipped to the rear attachment point, of course...

SWA are probably looking for a climber. It's utility work, though. Plus the boss is an absolute a-hole.

I bought the proclimber top, it works unbelievably well but, since I fell out with my employer a week later and he sacked me, it's hanging up in the hall at the moment

Klima-air, here. Mine are past the 3 year mark!

essentialARB is good

my arms did it last winter but they were ok afterward. wonder if it's the cold...

Got a job with SWA, now.

7:15-4:15 or, since we're on call, the latest i've worked til is 10