Kev Stephenson

assuming you mean everything as in rotatech bars only

These are mostly specialist retail outlets not your run of the mill B&Q type places where joe public may decide to visit on a boxing day. Most Arbs know what they want/need and buy at appropriate times. Would you expect plumb centre or an electrical wholesalers to have a boxing day sale?

Kubota b1400d fully refurbed with brand new loader. Jap import I believe but a really good refurb. From backside machinery via eBay.

The first person to mention it must submit a prize of minimum £100 value. The AT raffle has similar rules to fight club and must not be spoken of until officially announced!!

I go through one of the online suppliers pages at insurance time and list actual cost not RRP. I also state on my asset register that these prices are correct at the date shown. Insuring everything at RRP would mean I am insuring probably £5k more than the replacement cost on hand tools, they won't ever pay out RRP so it's an increased premium for no gain. Note this is a new for old policy.

A £20k + VAT tractor costs you £20k so should be insured for £20k. Ensure the insurers are aware that is the ex VAT price so they don't try to pay £16.6k if a claim is needed. Insuring it for £24k only puts your premium up and like has been said they will only give you £20k on a pay out. If they gave you £24k would you give them the £4k back when you reclaimed the VAT? Kevin

I was told by the company that do my sign writing that the waistline and outline of the back of the vehicle is for those over 3.5tonne.

Glyphosate based weed killer then pick out the dead. Repeat after 10 days. The membrane will stop the seeds getting to the soil to germinate but any seeds you may have missed during the stripping of the land will, as you see, germinate and push through anything. Just think about all the crap growing through tarmac.

£20, brace of birds and a beaters day

Why do you feel the need for more power? Would the rest of the drive line and cutting wheel cope with the increase in power?

The issue is more the chips from the saws. The fish think they are food, eat them, can't digest them and die

Thats some proper sexy welding

I had an email with a photo attached this week showing a pile of chipper food, knotty crap and rot. They were willing to let it go for £300 if it was cash. I was tempted but instead went to look in the yard and realised at that rate I had enough to order a small carribean island, yacht and 2 helicopters. Who needs the lottery when you do tree work!!

Compare it another way if you are going to be pedantic. Rolls Royce vs ford fiesta. Both cars with 4 wheels and an engine but which one does it best.

They are owned by the same people but very far from the same.

It's Audi vs. Skoda. The Samurai will do the job, not as well and not for as long but it will do it for a lot less money. Both have their place. My climbers have Silkys, the grounds maintenance team have samurai. Look after the silky and it will last ages but no point paying silky money when the grounds maintenance team will blunt them prematurely cutting dirty wood / shrubs / fencing.

I run a 2009 one but have the tool box running along the body rather than in front if it. Having the tools where they are on the new one pictured puts the full weight of the chip over the back axle reducing the pay load. Amazing turning circle, pull like a train and small enough to go anywhere but appalling on anything other than tarmac. Would I have another? Definately!!

Friday and saturday for me and the team. Camping both nights

I buy from my main supplier as I have an account there. Always buy loops and always buy genuine Stihl chain. I tend to restock every few months generally buying 4-5 chains for each saw so maybe 20 loops in an order (@£400 ish)

Usually ends up being a fiver or so between dealers. Make sure you compare like for like as some quote ex VAT. If you have a list you have the option of spending all day going round each dealer saving a quid here and a quid there or drop the list in with the first one you see and get to the bar!! If you are that tight on price then save your £20 entry fee and diesel money and buy on line!!

Why is the dmax not a contender? I've done 16k in mine this last year without issue and significantly cheaper than most other pick ups

I've got the TR6 and 200 hours in we have no complaints at all

I ran an entec 25 for 4 years just after starting out without an issue however I was fortunate enough to find one with very few hours on it. They are a good light machine and will chip 6" like the others but the throughput is low compared to a modern machine. Spares should be no problem as timberwolf can supply direct and the engine is still basically the same as the current Kohler 25hp. If however I am being honest you would get one of these machines for a grand and you will more than likely be buying trouble as they will be at least 12 years old. If you are serious about full time tree surgery then you should be able to fund something more substantial/newer which will increase your productivity and reduce down time. If you want a rebuild project or only need an occasional use machine then go for it.

For me this depends on:- who splits it (you on a sunday in your garden or your groundie at the yard on an early finish), when (in works time?) and using what (company owned splitter?) Also if you can prove you would just give the passing man a boot full of logs free of charge off site for his own use at home then it makes no financial difference that you take them personally. If you would have charged him £20 then you should charge yourself the same. These should also be split outside of company time, using an axe or splitter you personally bought and stored at home (not the yard) to be squeaky clean. Damned picky I know but does a garage owning mechanic use the garage ramp and tools to service his own car, does a sparky use his works issue screw driver or meter to do work at home. Are the above taxable benefits like use of a company van after all it's saved you money? What about discounts? Does the same mechanic pay the garage full retail price for the service items or just pay the discounted cost price? He should in theory pay full retail unless his contract state otherwise but then this could be seen as a taxable benefit. My wife gets a lot of air miles and hotel loyalty points through work. The value of these (once exercised) must be declared on a tax return if they are not used for business purposes. Most of the people at her company use them for upgrades for business flights/hotels to save the company money. Should those that decide to take a weekend away on loyalty points pay tax on the retail cost of this break? Kev

Doable but not the best, high centre of gravity, high to load, another few hundred kg behind the tow vehicle and if you transported with the spout on then damned high.