benedmonds

I know this has be discussed over and over, but there have been allot of changes in chippers in the last few years.. How are recent sub 750 models holding out which are the best.. I am not interested in "the get a trailer licence" argument or anything over 750kg.. I have never really used little chippers. I have two 10 inch chippers and a small 7 inch... But I am contemplating a sub 750kg so freelancers or new staff can tow. This is my list of what is out there... Greenmech Arborist 150- 26hp or 34hp Kubota diesel engine Greenmech Quadchip 160 – 34hp diesel Timberwolf TW230DHB 35hp Kubota 4 cylinder engine Timberwold 240 34HP Kubota 3-cylinder What happened to them? Vermeer BC160XL 19.4 kW (26 hp) Kohler diesel engine Jenson 530L 34HP Kubota Raptor 750 38hp diesel engine TP- 130 Mobile 24hp Schliesing 175 MX Kubota engine 15.4 kW (21 hp) Don’t do one: Bandit Forst Landforce Tunnissen

I have not read this thread so not sure if it has been mentioned.. At present there is a option to hide messages from certain users, which is fine, I have to started using it as a number of users comments never appear useful and wind me up, so I would rather not see them.. Could we also add an option to restrict users from seeing posts that we create? There are users who in my opinion derail threads and don't have make useful contributions.. If as a poster you could choose for them not to see your posts, threads might be less likely to be derailed and it might make people less likely to constantly be negative as they'd just see a thread...?

The way you state your opinion is very often abrupt and as if it is fact. It's not you are often wrong.. IMO.. It's a discussion, I don't think people were being tactful, some maybe think it is way out, some a little bit, others fine. I post to get views of others so I can help make future decisions..

It doesn't have to get personal... It is a discussion, state your opinion, which others might agree with or not and you might not even be right.. I have been filling in TPO applications for 15 years, they have changed a little in that time, I no longer use percentages but to be honest the work has remained pretty much the same. BS3998 states that the "Specifications which state what will remain are normally used to enable verification, but to assist implementation, may also be translated into what is to be removed(e.g. length of Branch) IMO, height estimates are always that, an estimate.. and will vary wildly. (I once worked as a science officer on a rainforest project and compared estimates of the same trees by different people or at different times and found that there was NO statistical relationship, ie the estimates were worthless..) Therefore stating the amount to be removed is easier for a contractor to understand. This can't however be a single number as we need to cut back to grown points. Hence the 1-2m..

In the old days the TO would know you and it all seemed much simpler... Just venting really...

To be honest I do normally put in more detail, but the fact that this is basically a street tree and since January we have reduced 160 odd limes of approximately the same age in the same area for the council, I thought they might figure we know what we are doing. Although we won't be reducing to that spec as it's butchery...... I guess I should not assume anything.. This was the councils reply... In terms of the description of development, you have stated ‘reduce 1-2m’. Would I be correct in assuming that this refers to a reduction in the crown spread as opposed to the height? Also, please confirm the specific reduction (i.e. either 1m or 2m). Additionally, in terms of the reason for the works, is this simply to provide clearance from the building? (I presume this is the case based on your description but it is not clear). Or are there other reasons for the works? Please provide an amended application form complete with the above information.

In your opinions is this specification adequate/does it make sense. As part of a planning portal application.. Lime T1 - Reduce 1-2m, Lift to 5.2m, clear from building.

I think it was a 10 week course in 2001 when I did it and that included spraying and First Aid at work.. It was very good value for money as I recall and although you might come out with very limited experience, you do have all the bits of paper which as an employer are great to see.

Secondary School Science Teacher.. I'd rather clean drains...

And driving down prices for those who have to pay their staff.. PS. I am not knocking your enterprise but maybe you could charge more.. Wages are by far the biggest expense, for the rest of us..

I am not sure about the "ARB Approved" bit. It looks like the A. R. B. should mean something as opposed to just being short for Arboriculture. Before we were Arboricultural Association Approved Contractors - where as now the logo does not say who we are approved by. We are therefore just - Arboriculture Approved Contractors ...?

I had an email with the three different logos for use by members, contractors and consultants but can't find it. This is the new contractors shield, which is possibly better then the old tree (included) IMO.

I think you can claim back 4 years if you sill have the equipment. You pay or reclaim the difference between what you collect and what you spend quarterley

We were on the flat rate scheme for a number of years. Worked well. Dead simple. You don't have to save any reciepts on little purchases. Having had to move to the full rate there is more paperwork, but last year i worked out that after claiming on purchaces we ended up paying about 10 percent. So financially we are pretty similar.. So i rekon my rates should only be 10 percent higher then if not registered.

Thanks for the input. The fella went all quiet when we asked about VAT invoices etc and along with the not so positive advice, we have decided to sick with the stuff at the pumps...

True, but it is very simple to calculate... and if you are getting 90% of the work you quote for it might make you rethink your pricing. Assuming you have enough work that is...

I have had to take up exercise... Doing a half Iron Man in the summer...

I have not used the HH merino but have had other Merino stuff and it was much warmer then a standard smelly helly and doesn't smell bad. The stuff I had was great (icebreaker) for multi day trips but too warm for most UK tree work and did not last half as long as a the lifa. But then I have black lifa's that are over 20 years old..

My role has completely changed and I don't do any "work" any more. Still really busy mind.. While small jobs can often take time to quote so can the large ones. I have literally spent days preparing tenders that you don't win and so don't get any payback from...

You say that but my business has changed from a 2 man band with a truck and 6 inch chipper to 10 or 11 guys with 5 trucks, 3 chippers, 2 stump grinders etc.. but my conversion rates have remained pretty similar.. I don't know if it is a good or bad figure? My feeling is if you are getting over 90 percent you could afford to push prices...

Don't trash the thread. If your not interested don't take part.. As a business owner this is interesting and important to some of us.. My conversion rate is significantly lower than some are stating, I don't know if they are guesses or actual figures. I run at about 60%. Year - Quotes - conversion rate 2015 - 920 - 0.6 2014 - 500 - 0.6 2013 - 573 - 0.69 2012 - 501 - 0.64 2011 - 421 - 0.55 2010 - 458 - 0.57 2009 - 370 - 0.59 2008 - 298 - 0.63 2007 - 333 - 0.68 2006 - 278 - 0.67 2005 - 148 - 0.62 2004 - 95 - 0.64 We discussed it in 2014 http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/business-management/76913-number-quotes-over-10-years.html

We have a guy trying to sell us bio-diesel at 60p a litre, they reckon they track pump prices and are always 10p below... He gave me a free sample and I have run it 50:50 in the VW caddy and not had any issues. They will supply a 1000l tank with pump. The salesman tells me the issues are that the filters will need changing after a bit as the bio-diesel clears out carbon deposits...? and it is best to start by mixing with regular.. I am nervous about switching as we have had issues in the winter with our red waxing up in the cold (as discussed here previously) but we spent about £13K last year on white diesel so it could be fair saving. Plus the feel good factor... Any one use it?

I have a couple of jobs for a developer coming up and may need to drop of chip and logs, probably only a couple of loads. Market Harborough and Billesdon Cheers

Emergency maybe should have been "emergency"

Yes but I would expect to call a cab..