RC0

This was today’s job, although only a morning really. A skinny beech tree in a back garden, pretty straight forward. This was Andrew Bennets job who you’ll see do a beautiful job with the portowrap, especially with the 19mm rope towards the end. Last vid for a while, apparently I’ll be divorced if I continue to spend so much time on the forums…… so there you have it. Enjoy the footage, about 7 minutes.

Thanks Steve...Congratulations to the other winners:icon14: I gotta be honest though, there's no way my vid beats bodeans...sorry judges, but it just wouldn't be right to accept the prize. Steve, please pass on the first prize to Deva. My boots are still good for a while longer anyhow:proud:

Dont forget guys you can also further reduce your slack by setting the block/pulley as High as possible, (below the notch) and by minimizing the actual depth (not the angle) of the notch. Please dont ask me to me to explain it right now, just say you get it:icon14: If not then draw it on a piece paper and it'll become obvious right away I'm sure. Happy New Year:wave:

Quite a big top for a 200t. Did you have to keep cutting as it folded?

MB and I both know that teddies dont really hurt when they hit you, so not the first or last time they be thrown back and forth no doubt. The more opinions voiced, the better for the thread. Thanks also skyhuck. I do indeed finish with a timber-hitch where it is safe to do so. A quick and easy knot to tie. I want that chipper cleaned every week Telhol:icon14:

Give me some credit will you, you've taken it the wrong way. Perhaps I should have replied directly to Telhol and not used your quote. Im sorry! I just elaborated a little for those who genuinely might not realise the broader considerations of the whole thing. The thread was originally about the camera as I was looking for opinions/comparisons etc and Steve was eager to see the footage before his trip to the U.S It got derailed a little and then I just derailed it some more. No big deal

This point is quite significant. Personally I’m looking to bring the sections down as large as is practicable for the guys to deal with. If I can free-fall, then in most cases I will. However, if for instance the branches are going to shatter into lots of little bits on impact for whatever reason, which then takes longer to clean up, then I’ll tie them off. Also, I try to employ as little cutting and climbing in the tree as what I can get away with, which again influences whether to freefall or tie-off. Even when we’re understaffed on the ground I’d sooner let a half dozen big ones go and then get down to help-out as opposed to cutting of lots of little bits to allow the guys can keep up. But that’s just my preference – for better or worse. On this particular job, freefalling just wasn’t an option. The client was a retired scientist and his garden was now his passion, so the job was priced for absolute minimum impact. Also, Treework is very competitive in our area so these jobs have to be meticulously planned and executed to keep us within budget; even to the point where I have to consider the amount and distribution of sawdust that drifts out of the tree into the adjacent gardens where we’re working, cleaning it up all puts time on the job. On that Euc I used about half a tank in the 200T and a little less in the Husky, so to me a good indication that my energy had been well managed. Minimum effort, maximum return, that’s our mind-set. There’re a lot of Panic-Climbers out there who think like “just get it down and we’ll worry about it afterwards!” What generally follow’s is lots of wasted effort both up the tree and on the floor due to this short sighted approach to the job. Thankfully, I get to work with like-minded individuals who look at the job as a whole and have the confidence and sense to approach it in that manner. We take down some real awkward trees but waste absolutely nothing in the process. That’s why we are busy all year round and don’t have too many rough days. Just where Im at though, each to their own!

Sorry to here that MC, Pikies took 3 saws from me this year so I know how you're feeling. Unfortunately I'm in Macclesfield which is probably about 3-4 hours from you after the rush-hour, so it depends how desperate you are. I'm going out at about 8 this evening but I can always leave the harness in the back of the pickup. Its there if you want it, drop me a pm.

No its just something Ive been meaning to try but keep forgeting. I can imagine it actually being easier than tying knots once you get into it.

Matty, Re:the second picture. You're choking the log with that sling and then have the lowering line attached to it? Do prefer it that way?

Yeah I agree with all that you say Steve. The quality is excellent, no doubt about that:icon14: Also, I didn't use a seperate mike and yet it picked up the sound clearly, even though the device was wrapped and stuffed in my pocket. The unit itself is well though out and superbly designed, I just expected a better end result somehow. I'll try it again on a bigger tree and perhaps be a little more concious of my position and head movement.

I have wanted a helmet camera for a while now and last week I eventually buckled and paid quite a lot for this one. http://www.vio-pov.com/ Great features, quality footage, robust (shock, dust and water-proof) and not a hindrance to the job or my performance! Any way, I’m not sure about it now. The end result is all quite bewildering and difficult to watch IMO! But perhaps with practice, a wider lens, taller tree etc, I’m not sure. Re: the actual job. Nothing special, just a 25 year old euc in a back garden. Any credibility that this video might have had is ruined by this particular crew’s refusal to wear their helmets. Also, the grounds-man underestimates/under-wrap’s the very last branch/top which then proceeds to spiral out of control and smash up the clients cherished Japanese maple, which he’d done so well to protect up until that point. Worth a look but there’s just something frustrating about it. http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=5257960397871597594&hl=en-GB

Well, you didn't use the word thread in your original post so I couldn't quite see the connection between the my product and this lowering device.

Thanks for bringing that up in this thread Frans? So to be fair, there's been a whole lot more in the way of positive response as far as I'm aware:icon14: Now lets get back to the winch shall we.

Thats it! Well done Carl:icon14:

Common place on the forums Peter, and unfortunately, most of it appears to be based on idle speculation rather than fact. Telhol, having become more familiar with your style of wording, I am quite sure that you meant no disrespect in your comments. As far as I know, the product of which you refer to is made in the US and is a relatively heavy-duty piece of kit, so my guess is that the shipping costs will be between ₤1 - 200.00 per unit, unless of course they are being shipped in large quantities to a wholesaler etc, but I’m guessing not. The products will need to be insured while in transit also. Import tax will have to be paid as they arrive from the US and then the retailer (whoever that may be) will take his cut if and when he re-sells them. Also, consider the initial layout from the manufacturer during the research, design and development stage; manufacturing costs; not to mention serious responsibility taken on by that person in releasing such a critical piece of equipment as ‘safe-to-use’ on to the marketplace. Personally, I couldn’t justify buying one either at that price, but having used one and read the countless rave reviews, I don’t doubt that it’s a great investment if rigging plays a significant part in your tree-work strategies. Some time ago, maybe 2 years now, I spotted a pretty radical lowering device in a US trade mag. From what I can remember it didn’t have a single drum/spool, rather it seemed to run over a series of smaller drum type re-directs, but without actually taking a complete wrap on any of them. The main selling points were that you’re rope didn’t twist up and you could run 2 ropes at the same time. It was similar in price the GRCS and Hobbs but I never seen or heard of it again since. It may have black and green in colour. Can any of our US members recollect this product and what became of it? Thanks

Here's some relevant stuff from a report regarding CE etc. Find attachment. Homemade devices can save you money for sure, if you have the proper means to fabricate them. You might even be able to improve the design of an existing product currently on the market. However, if one of your employees gets hurt using your tool, then in the UK at least, you had better have your paper work in order to prove that you complied with any relevant legislation. Otherwise I doubt that your insurance company would be willing to back you up; and these people dont just take your word for it either. You know the rest. Nice job on both kits though:icon14: impeller- (conformance report).pdf

My wife took this picture in Betws y coed, Wales, last weekend, can you spot the fish at the base of the falls. I was staring at those falls for ages and never noticed anything like that, the camera obviously picked it up though, much to my delight:proud: But what would it be Salmon or Trout, does anyone have knowledge of the area?

That job looked tight Carl, well done! What did you do just cut small and aim the pieces down, I couldn't see any rigging etc? Some great pictures on this thread, JPbeavers on 62 is my favourite:icon14:

I'll set my alarm and get up about 3.30. I'm a big fan of boxing. If Hatton fights rough and doesn't get knocked out early, I think he has a chance. A lot depends on whether or not the ref breaks them early or lets them fight inside. The latter is obviously what Hatton wants. Ironically, Hatton is from a small town called Hyde (30 minutes from here), same one as Harold Shipman.

Very well done, nice day for it!

Telhol, there are a thousand different ways to tackle a job. That is where experience comes into play i.e. knowing the right method for a particular job. Little jobs, not as significant, however, when you get onto the bigger stuff it’s a totally different kettle of fish. A wrong decision can not only cost you lots of time but much worse. Watch the video and read Graeme’s comments nearer the end. http://arbtalk.co.uk/showthread.php?t=589 Do you really believe that his first 4 years of climbing are what gave him the knowledge and experience to deal with such a high risk tree/situation in the way that he did? Surely not. e.g My dads been repairing and restoring cars for over 40 years now, all sorts of makes and damages. Do you think that I’d be as skilled, knowledgeable and efficient as him in 4 years time if I start learning tomorrow? Mate, read your posts again. I do realize there’s no malice in them but just read through them and then look at your previous quote. Good for you man, its great that you were able to learn from your Dad, he’s probably very proud to see you making a good living. But trust me Telhol, there’s probably a whole lot of stuff going on in this job that you haven’t yet even heard of, let alone learnt. But hopefully you can and will, if you want to get better that is. Hey, good luck and no hard feelings.

Guess I won’t need to if you’re going to do the arguing for me! Telhol, maybe we should just leave it at that mate, but try to consider that there are guys on here with decades of experience who you never here complaining about tree size etc. While not yet a veteran, even I have 18 years behind me, the last 14 have been as a full-time freelance climber both here and abroad, so I’m pretty well seasoned by now. I work just as hard regardless of whether or not the tree is big or small, but at 35 I still expect to get much better at climbing before I start getting worse. So for you to start lecturing on the absolutes of treework so early in your career seem a little premature don’t you think? If its just you’re opinion then add IMO rather than calling people 'bitches' and quoting 'maths' etc. Anyway enjoy the rest of your week buddy. Reg

I just read that again, what do you mean by it? especially the no arguements bit.