ArbjobsNick

Yep it's just a work climb if you haven't done one before come and have a look before booking in although if you call us and book on line we will try and get a free show entry ticket to you. Novice is now run on an optimum time basis being closest to our safe climb time wins not fastest. Ideal for genuine novice climbers more experienced climbers might want to go for the expert or premier levels where it's fastest safe climb that wins

Just taking my mick Rupes I think you stand every chance of being placed in the Expert level a man of your skills be good to see you too. I have sent you a mail over with the prizes that are up for grabs. We have about £1,500 quids worth of kit to give out to the winners not each of course ! But some nice gear I don't think anyone will moan about having parted with a £10 entry fee. For anyone who hasnt taken part before we have decided to amend the novice level to an optimumn time event we climb the tree nice and steady and take a time with all the bonuses and no faults. Closest three climbers to that time win in this level not the fastest. We like to encourage new faces so I hope this will encourage a few of you to have a go.

No Rupe afraid not we decided it was too risky what with the zimmer frames false teath and weak bladders. Have tried to send you an invite for this years comp but your mail keeps bouncing. Be good to have you along mate.

If you havent competed in one of our 3ATC climbing events before this might be your chance to have a go. If you book with us by the 7th June you also get free £8.00 entry ticket to the show! Book your climb time now by calling 01433 651121 or 07711 358621. Arbjobs.com are pleased to sponsor the 3ATC Tree Climbing Competition at the AA Trade Fair Cirencester Friday 10th and Saturday the 11th of June. We have approximately £1,500 of prizes in total spread over the three categories Novice, Expert and Premier. With winners of previous events needing to move up to the next level there is every chance it could be your turn to win this time! Every competitor will get a goody bag to take away and a commemorative and exclusive “I was Arb enough” T Shirt to prove you took part and were Arb enough to the challenge. For more information, entry forms, directions and prize information please go to the website www.3ATC.com We do have limited space so contact us as soon as possible if you’d like to book a climb time. Good Luck Nick and Elaine Arbjobs.com Your Industries Jobs Notice Board.

Hi YoGi A lot of climbers use a second short section of En1891 rope to make up what is called a side lanyard or redirect lanyard. You can buy an off the shelf CE marked rope lanyard its really just a very short rope most are about 3 meters some come with a karibiner fitted some with just an eye to fit your own. To this you fit a friction hitch just like on your climbing line. As your just starting you might keep it simple and stick with a prussecc hitch. When climbing you can use this to secure yourself to a second area of the tree if your feet are supported you can use this from the side D's of your harness if your feet are free floating you shoudl transfer the system to your main harness bridge (side D's are not meant for suspending a climber) You can make up your own side lanyard by buying a length of EN 1891 climbing line off of the reel anything from 11.5 mm to 13 mm should be OK attach this to your 3 way auto locking Karibiner or snap with a single fishermans knot or bight (self chokering knot) these knots can be found on the internet. I find a side lanyard of about five meters if far more usefull but if its not stowed properly on your harness it can get in the way which is why most climbers only have one about three meters in length. Although your lanyard might not be as pretty as a spliced one it will cost a lot less and if you damage it you can just replace the rope section. Record and mark any kit you buy in line with LOLER guidelines Date issued, serial number, your kit individual part number and a description. Also write these details in a seperate excercise book. Its not hard but if and hopefully when you have your kit inspected after six months you will already have a good self imposed recording system in place.

Make the job work for you. Yr 1 Reduce and thin the Sycamore 20% leaf area. Replant another bigish tree from Barchams or Hilliers further down the garden away from the Syc. Yr 5 Return Thin the Sycamore again Formative prune the planted tree. Yr 10 Fell the Sycamore plant another tree Yr 15 Formative prune first tree planted formative prune second Yr 20 Fell first tree planted it will probably be too big now and plant a new one reduce or prune second tree planted. Plant what ever tree you damned well like your never going to let them get too big. I don't know what you charge but there has got to be potentially £2,000 of work here over the next 20 years why do we all run around looking for new work? Grow your own future !

Ok having followed this thread and made some comments already I wanted to check with someone higher re industry standards for steel core flip lines so I made a call to Chris Cooper-Abbs NPTC instructor AFAG committee member HSE advisor who was part of the group who helped set up the NPTC Arb LOLER exam. I hope he won’t mind me quoting him but his thoughts were that as I suggested in an earlier post you take the weakest part of the strop as your industry guide. The weakest part being the rope sheath a "textile" item that if you haven’t retired it following your daily, interim or LOLER inspections you should retired your strop after five years of use. If the sheath goes so do you! Unlike most Steel core flip lines the Yale lines are Flemish "spliced" to the eye not crimped bang a crimp with a bit of timber and it might pop open and fail. The most cost effective Yale steel core lanyard is the Maxi flip at about £45 + VAT so let’s say you look after it and it lasts you five years its costing you about ten pounds a year! Let’s get this in to prospective how much did you spend on your mobile phone last year? Will your phone keep you safe in a tree? Despite being asked numerous times the climber with the broken Yale line has still failed to produce evidence of any LOLER inspections. Talking to Jamie from Yale that lanyard was last produced nine years ago it may have sat on a retailers shelf for some time but is still well past retirement. My guess is the poor guy who posted this thread thought he was highlighting a safety issue which I applaud him for. It hasn’t quite worked out like that however what it has done is highlight how little some climbers and some LOLER inspectors know about inspecting kit. A worrying issue the industry, NPTC and HSE have to deal with.

Bob on Bob. What are folk thinking of suggesting other climbers climb on non CE marked kit? At best case scenario it would potentially invalidate your insurance in the case of an accident. Home made stuff isn't tested to any industry standard and may be assembled incorrectly and could fail. It goes against all of the industry guidelines and a decent LOLER inspector should point this out ! (see LOLER thread started by Andy Collins) It should be possible to climb using loads of rigging kit but its not tested or constructed for PPE Jees guys what are you thinking recommending this to folk ?

It may help to use an established equipment supply company to avoid any potential internet fraud this company have a number of retailers in the UK find one close to use here: Fletcher Stewart

They have the same RRP as a Petzl Vertex. The foam internals come out so you can wash them. they can also be replaced with a hygine kit. The helmet takes the Peltor or MSA ear defenders and mesh visors for both brands or they can be fitted with a solid visor. The Vertex is undoubtably a good helmet but the Stein has to be a comparible alternative.

I'm pleased to see so many of you are as concerned as I am regarding Arb LOLER inspections. Having read the thread there are a few points you are bringing up some of you are obviously very experianced in using your equipment but do you really understand its manufacturing and tollerances ? I thought I did but have learned quite a loads since working with the manufacturers, it worryingly proved I didn't know as much as I thought I did and still am learning. Crane and high access LOLER inspectors are I am sure very experianced in their specialist sectors but as others have pointed out I wouldn't want them inspecting my kit. I am also concerned that UK Arb LOLER inspectors are not given very stong guideline as to what they should pass or fail. Pirate copy products that should be category 3 CE marked products are being regularly passed. Another thing that concerns me is how the hell can an apparent "Experianced" Arb LOLER inspector can collect carry out a detailed visual and tactile check record his findings and return a climbers kit for £40 ??? I spoke to a national LOLER trainer tonight who has the same concerns I do. Every year we are seeing fatalities following equipment failure. We have all felt for the families of the dead lads killed by failed equipment. I don't want to see any more of you as remorial posts on here. As experianced as you may be a good Arb LOLER inspection that may help raise your awareness of a potential issue you may not have noticed has to be worth it. If it stops just one fall from height in your working carrier isn't it worth it? I personaly know a lad who fell thirty foot. Luckily he survived but broke his leg ribs collar bone. Six months off work and lots of rehabilitation how much did that cost him compared to an Arb LOLER test every six months? Swallow your pride and get your kit inspected by a good Arb LOLER inspector your life's got to be worth it, hasn't it?

Had a judder in my Ford Ranger after about 40K took it to the dealer and they traced it to a prop shaft issue they know about. Mine was still under warrentee so Ford sorted it out. I would have this checked out before blowing a load on a new clutch only to find that isnt the problem.

If you dont use vasaline or copper slip on the visor threads there can be a problem with a reaction between the alloy fixing lugs and brass helmet fittings. Ideally lube your lugs before fitting and regularly remove and re lube the lugs on a regular basis to ensure they don't have a chance to have a reaction. I hear the new ear defender mounts are now in the UK and are well worth seeking out.

Darwins theory wonder how long it will take?

I work all over the UK visiting Arborist shops for Fletcher Stewart I meet a lot of Arborists and I would estimate 80% maybe more do not do LOLER and many (not all) do not really understand how or why to check their own equipment. Many see LOLER as "The System" imposing restrictions and freedom on them and simply do not want to conform. The magority are worried about taking equipment to a LOLER inspector having heard about freinds loosing half their equipment during the first inspection. This is probably correct most of us have kit we have bought four or five years is probably looking a bit shabby and may have lost its markings. An inspector not knowing the history will probably take the view that not knowing the history will have to retire some of this equipment if you cannot prove its provenance. If I could suggest an idea, it would help if climbers not currently following LOLER regulations kept a record book of what kit they bought and when it was first put in to use this would go a long way to helping them when and if they do finally have a LOLER examination.

If you can PM me or Jamie and let us know the contact of your LOLER inspector maybe we can make sure he knows how to reach us if he has any questions regarding age or manufacture dates of Yale items. "ARB" LOLER inspectors should have a good and detailed knowledge of all arborist equipment. Unfortunately I know of several companies using crane specialists to do their LOLER testing these guys will not have the same experience or contacts to ask "Is this OK?" LOLER tests are only as good as the inspection on the day the day after an item could potentially fail so regular self inspections also need to be carried out as per industry guidelines. There was a comment that a LOLER inspector suggested that steel core lanyards could last longer than 5 years. I would suggest that if your hitch or rope grab in attached to the outer (textile) sheath and it fails you might slip, fall and potentially injure yourself so on this basis alone I would suggest you follow textile guidelines and replace these every five years (of use) that way if there was any corrosion in the core it won't matter as you have retired the item before it becomes an issue. I found out recently how corrosive Leylandii sap can be, apparently burns to flesh removal and corrosion on metal items have all be seen after exposure to it. I had no idea how corrosive it can be and wonder how many of you are also unaware? I didn't have a clue and in addition to age exposure to it may give us some insight in to what may have occurred here. I hope you are all backing up your steel core lanyards with a climbing line just below it, just in case accidents can and do occur.

There are already three Arborist Tree Challenge locations and dates released on the website Arboricultural Association Arborist Tree Challenge its a lot easier than the ISA event with three seperate categories and sets of prizes for Novices/Students, Expert Climbers and Premier Climbers. Entry is only £10 per event so why not have a go?

They have been problematic but seem to be a lot better in the latest models. Got to do the zips up when washing them as per instructions. I have seen the new Stretch airs Gladiator type "C" s very tough and look really good.

Well if they are having accidents the training is failing somewhere isnt it? There have been at least four fatalitlies in the UK that I know of industry statistics suggest a pyramid effect so the norm would show maybe twenty serious injuries 200 major injuries 2,000 minor etc and some will be due to folk not checking kit properly it probably comes a long way down the scale but be sure its there. I can't get the exact figures out of the HSE as its like getting water out of a stone. You want to convince yourself LOLER is a waste of time and so many people can check their own kit why is everyone so worried about getting someone independant, trained and qualified to look at it?

Some of you will know that I have become slightly dispondant with the TCC's in recent years and have now set up a new UK competition the 3ATC. Don't get me wrong I think you can all learn a lot from attending a well run and supported ISA TCC and I have been pleased to personally sponsor climbers like Josephine Hedger and Phillipa Allen represent the UK at European and International level. But I wanted to offer climbers an entry level event so working with several well respected Arborists we designed the Arborist Tree Challenge its a one tree event with three levels Novice, Expert and Premier. Some of next years dates are now available on the website Arboricultural Association Arborist Tree Challenge with entry fees at only £10 it wont even break the bank and after your climb you get to relax watch and learn from other climbers taking part. This isn't meant to be in any way a replacement to the ISA events and you won't get to represent the UK in Europe or America so please continue to support them as hard as it may be at times. Nick

I had a guy keep undercutting me on every council job I quoted on sussed him eventually mate in places (nuff said) so waited till they offere dme a huge job put in a crazy price myself he again without even looking he undercut me and spent four days on site shifting timber for his cleverness Also had a certain type of tree worker knocking doors opposite where we were working pretending to be with my well respected firm trying to get jobs got to give it to them there bloody cheeky. Finally was in a shop recently and some lads came in bragging at how clever they were to undercut a massive tree job by £1,500 you have got to ask, why?

The LOLER examinations include an offset test that most Karibiner companies agree can in itself damage a karibiner especially if carried out a little too vigourously. LOLER has been brought in to ensure everyone in the industry is looking after their equipment and if it reduced accidents it should prevent insurance costs soaring in line with accidents. Many of us are perfectly capable of carrying out inspections on our own equipment but many unfortunately are not through misunderstanding the kit we use or its safety tollerances wish I had a pound for every climber who has said its only a couple of nicks in the rope mmmmm . I have seen brand new Karibiners from several manufacturers fail testing just through being "stored" in the bottom of a dusty dirty kit bag nothing wrong with the karibiners that a good clean wouldn't sort out but thats no good when you need to use it in the field. For the uninitiated or new folk on here try storing karibiners in a clean bag and pop something to clean them with in the truck just in case, be that GT, WD or Graphite. I would like ot see more retailers offering a sonic cleaner service in the shop got to be worth 50p a pop.

My understanding is that they arn't sure how many folk would really want the Kolibri with quick release leg loops also cost is an issue as with everything make it better and cost goes up maybe if we can give them some idea how loved this harness is and how many of us want one with quick release legs it might encourage the powers that be to crack on with it. I vote yes please

Kev Thanks for inviting me to the opening day the new training area looks great thank you and BTS for bringing us all such nice training facility. Nick

Lancs we have exactly the same model its sounds daft but close the metal vent on the front fully then open it about one and a half turns. Pull the rod below right out to start the fire and close slowly once the fire is going (we tend to leave the door adjar during cold start just to create the draw. Once the fires is going close the door as you ease in the front lever it should start burning fairly slower too slow and you smoke up the glass. Now this is where I find it gets wierd but my opinion is that the reduction in air flow means each foot of air passing through the fire is getting hotter and as a result the fire gets hotter. Having got a bollocking from Mrs Arbjobs for heaping it up and having everything open full throttle I was recommended to read the instructions (I am a man and therefore following years of carefull evolution never do this!!) (unless told) they pretty much say the same thing. We are so toasty got the curtains up now so can also sit around in my thong : )