Jonny69

Rock climbing ropes have nothing like the sustained abrasion resistance of tree ropes. They are designed to hardly rub anything until a fall occurs, and then sustain their integrity whilst potentially running over sharp rock edges. If you were really intent on using one I would only do it with a pulley set in the top and keep a very close eye for damage to the outer, especially when you get sharp bits of bark or descend through tight forks. This is all pointless really because you will hate it as they bounce loads, sapping energy. Also you will want to use a grigri or similar on it. They have a lower heat resistance and I would guess that running a normal hitch for any length of time would lead to glazing and possibly melting the hitch to the climbing line very quickly. You would be better off with this Beal Antipodes 9mm to 11mm in diameter I use that as my access line when footlocking but it doesn't knot very easily and is very stiff in the hand.

Hi, With Councils unless it is emergency work you will generally get an order number, this gives you the go ahead with any quote. (though it depends on how well you get on with the councillors/schools whether there is a lot of mutual trust etc) Sounds to me like they either decided they didn't like you or, more likely, found a mate of a mate and you got squeezed out. Happened to me before, though not in the same situation as you. You can usually tell because the client goes all weird, I think your best bet is to go round the guys house who is paying the bill and have a chat with him about what went on. The best you can hope is that you can guilt him in to changing his mind or maybe consider you for some future work. Unfortunately, as I see it you have no grounds for financial remuneration. You quoted, someone else got the job. For the future. Dont bother talking to anyone, unless they are in charge of the chequebook. Stopped doing that a long time ago. I now always talk to the person with the money first, then discuss the details afterwards when dealing with councils. Hope that helps. Jonathan

I cant believe the fuss being made about burning brash on a farm. If you are in a no burn zone or any other restrictions are in place (i.e next to a road, near other properties that will be affected, going to set fire to crops in the summer etc and issues that are nusiances) then there may be issues with burning. You can burn whatever brash you like on your own land, just not material that came from another site. Environment Agency - Paragraph 30 exemption "The law does not require an individual acting in a personal capacity to register an exemption." Taken from the above EA link. Just make sure the farmer is about with you for a bit during the day and your away.

I'll do it for the wood!

Give John Wilson a ring and try to persuade him to make his again. I had one for nearly three years and it was faultless apart from me wrecking the pump trying to use it in -8c when the oil had frozen. A guy in Manchester bought it for delivering firewood and to my knowledge it does exactly what he wants. Not exactly sure on the lift but I imagine 400+kg. There was pretty much a subchassis built around the front of the existing chassis so stress and flexing of the trailer itself was non existant. Also really handy for getting the back wheels of the truck off the floor and backfilling the holes when you got it stuck. Also, never broke a bolster and I regularly knocked them with as heavier lumps as the crane would lift. The only thing that used to dent was the ifor williams dropside panels.

I always get paid within two weeks from council and highways. They are among the best payers I have found. A couple of phone calls to get it all sorted. Then they bank transfer it or less often post a cheque.

Hi Scott, The side to side can be slowed on a thumb wheel on the machine. I have it on the fastest setting and do it with my fingers. I have a feeling it has 25ish teeth though they are staggered, they are 700 Green teeth and seem to last a while. I will count them tomorrow There is no issue with it driving over the pile, just that the pile slows the cutter head down loads when you are deep in a cut. Which obviously affects the larger machines much less. Though I feel this is the best compromise between access and productivity. After putting a few hours on this machine I would also reccomend you get the biggest horse power you can on it. It would be awsome with 50-60 hp but apparently it would tip over too easily (Which I do believe as you have to be cautious on banks) I never bothered trying any other similar machines out. Though the Carlton is basically the same as the bandit anyway. Hope this helps Jonathan

The video of you swinging an axe like a girl is very funny. I think the title of the "Tree felling fail" video will get a lot of hits. Just wish I had the same desire to make videos as you do.

One of these http://dl.dropbox.com/u/37434854/P1000322.MOV Not sure if I am meant to be standing so close to it, oops. 29inches wide. Though it is a bit longer and heavier than the pedestrian equivalent? The teeth have done 7-9hrs in the video and it has the 35hp Vanguard engine. Jonathan

Land Rover should leave the body and redesign the whole chassis/gearbox/axles etc. Put all the traction control, terrain response, abs, air con, electronic transfer case, electric handbrake that are in my D3 in it. They are all practical solutions which make the work day more comfy. I owned a defender for 3 years and it was a great truck and did exactly what I expected but the Discovery is a nicer place to sit and generally better for what I want. In short. I want a TDV8 90 Defender with all the goodies, that does not leak and has loads of sound deadening and some proper seats. Oh, and costs <30k. I can hope.

Clearly they need to be on a commission only package. Saying that if I could afford to pay 4 people to pull me up the tree I would.

These are some convoluted methods. Why not just ask to see the deeds/plans? Not 100% but works most of the time.

Here is my baby. Pic one is in Carcassonne and Pic two Chamonix where I forgot tighten up my front QR after the plane. I dont really have any photos of it in the UK. I guess it is always too wet to get the camera out in Wales and the Peak District. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Where is the job and how many tons are in the Poplars. Also can they pulled roadside in decent lengths? Cheers

http://www.brianjames.co.uk/pdf/BJT_UK_2011_3CGTIP_1.pdf These look good. I am going to see one next week. Jonathan

Unlikely quicker, the other man in the MEWP could have been busy chipping up while you were climbing (assuming you had another guy rigging and taking photos) Lovely job though.

Have you been in many X5's? I have yet to go in one that is anywhere near as good as a rangerover and they are about on par for reliability and repair cost. Just dont use main dealers. Also the 3.0 petrol X5 auto is a horrible weezing thing, I strongly recommend you avoid it.

Beautiful tree, more importantly though, part of the article says "We recruited a tree surgeon a few years ago who suggested taking 3m off all the branches around the tree for health and safety." Anyone want to own up to that recommendation?

Not me. They were there before we started on the tree. I think that is actually as far as the gardener got painting them before we started the job.

Doesn't look it, but this is about 6ft high. Made for umpiring badminton and lawn tennis in the summer. Had to do it off spikes because the ladder was a pain. Took about the same time as ringing the butt out, but a lot less lifting and sawdust.

Perhaps I come to your area and buy next door to you. Set up a combined Cattle incineration and 24hr car crushing depot. by your kitchen window. Whats it to you? Planning regs are not perfect. But generally they do help to stop idiots doing idiot things.

Hi Tristan, Just a quick question. Have you ever been involved in the Agency staffing/Employment/Recruitment industry before? Cheers Jonathan

The RSPB: Conservation: Hedgerow Regulations 1997 Have a read, removal has to be applied for. Laying and trimming are considered 'proper maintenance' as far as I can make out. Nesting birds is a whole other issue, as long as you are not disturbing any then I cant see a problem with cutting what ever time you like. As far as tree biology is concerned late summer (July, August) and mid winter (Jan, Feb) are the best times to work on any woody shrubs/trees. Jonathan

The only concern to have is.....................is the hedge considered a hedge. i.e is it over 20m in length? and is it attached to/on agricultural land? If it is then you are required to comply with the Hedgerow Regulations 1997. An extract here; "Application of Regulations 3.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3), these Regulations apply to any hedgerow growing in, or adjacent to, any common land, protected land, or land used for agriculture, forestry or the breeding or keeping of horses, ponies or donkeys, if— (a)it has a continuous length of, or exceeding, 20 metres; or (b)it has a continuous length of less than 20 metres and, at each end, meets (whether by intersection or junction) another hedgerow. (2) Subject to paragraph (3), a hedgerow is also one to which these Regulations apply if it is a stretch of hedgerow forming part of a hedgerow such as is described in paragraph (1). (3) These Regulations do not apply to any hedgerow within the curtilage of, or marking a boundary of the curtilage of, a dwelling-house. (4) A hedgerow which meets (whether by intersection or junction) another hedgerow is to be treated as ending at the point of intersection or junction. (5) For the purposes of ascertaining the length of any hedgerow— (a)any gap resulting from a contravention of these Regulations; and (b)any gap not exceeding 20 metres, shall be treated as part of the hedgerow." Google it if you want to read the whole document. Hope this helps Jonathan

Do not trust any log books/dealer stamps or mot certificates. All are faked with ease. Ring the dealer that the car was allegedly serviced with in the log book, give them the reg plate and/or VIN number and ask if they have the car down. They will have records of anything done to the car and the mileage it was carried out at. If the dealer is independant, backsreet dealer then you take you chances. I have seen many things that shouldnt be done regulary occur with small independant garages, much less chance of an issue if a main dealer has serviced and did the mot on the vehicle. TimbercutterDartmoor: It would be great if the HPI system was perfect. Unfortunately it is not, however it is a good start to cheecking the validity of the vehicle and possible issues with outstanding finance etc. Hope this helps. Jonathan