skyhuck

Should be fine, in fact may even prolong its life, as could reduce the risk of it be attached by the Beatle.

I was cutting and holding, I know, I know. It was a pretty big Beech, no drop zone, wanted all the brash off that day. Was doing pretty well, was about 3.15 in the afternoon, maybe I was a bit tired, I don’t really know. Don’t really know what happened, I remember the impact, I hit the bone. I think I either touched my wrist cutting the branch off or going back for the next one. Pretty sure the chain was just running down. I remember looking round to see where the branch had gone, but I must have thrown it, because i’d not dropped on the garage roof below me. I remember thinking “shit this is bad” and hoping it was a dream, but no such luck. Then I checked how bad the bleeding was and decided I was fine to get down without doing anything with it. This was just over 4 weeks ago, been climbing for 25 years, never cut myself before. I had cut two tendons, which were repaired, and was told to wear a splint for 6 weeks, but my family’s life is pretty much dependent on me doing stuff, not just earning, but also stoking a boiler that heats our home and cutting the logs for it etc. About 10 days after the op, I was in the yard sorting out some timber and I manage to pop the tendon repairs. But I lost very little movement in my thumb, it was same as after the cut but before the op. Went back for phisyo and told them i’d Popped the repair and she was convinced I had just stretched it and was happy with the the movement I had. And that I needed to keep the split on for another 4 weeks. Any way day after I stopped using the splint and went back to work. Stupid I know. But I needed to finish the tree, it was driving me bonkers, plus the weather was so nice. Worked for 10 days, then went back for another physio appointment. Took me a while to find the splint, put it on. Did not tell them i’d been working, they were very happy with it and told me to keep resting. Go to see the surgeon next week. I think I’ve tried to lessen the seriousness of my accident in my own head by getting back to work sooner, plus getting out on my mountain bike, which I love. I’m probably an idiot, but I think mentaly it’s really help me.

I think the game changer was the 020t which came after the 020AV, it was the first plastic bodied one.

Just used a standard dressing, you know like a bandage with a square pad in the middle. It was bleeding a fair bit, but not spraying or anything. It had pretty much stopped bleeding by the time I got to hospital. I didn't think I'd lost much blood, but I had a blood test done (unrelated to the accident) and was called in to the doctors due to a low blood count, down from my normal 159 to 121, once I told the doctor about the accident, she said that explained it. Apparently it takes 3 months for your body to replace lost red blood cells.

Didn't hurt too bad, came down from the tree, my lad put a dressing on it. We chipped up, me dragging branches to him one handed. Stacked the timber, me mostly one handed, but could use cut arm a bit. Cleaned drive, packed up gear, made apologies to customer. Drove mog home, put gear way, stoked boiler with logs. Then got changed and Mrs drove me to hospital. As I walked from the car to A&E the adrenalin must have been wearing off, I got very cold and my teeth began to chatter.

Are you using a Ropeguide or similar cambium saver with pulley?

I had my nostrils waxed once, felt great, but then suffered with dust getting into my sinuses, so not had it done again.

And my ears ?

Done

Oh my word!! Me too!! As a young man I had hazel eyes, the colour of a nice shiny conker, I was ginger or auburn hair as a boy/young man and people often commented on the fact my eyes and hair were the exact same colour. Now as a man who will be 50 in October, my hair is mostly grey, but there is some dark brown on my head and some ginger on my chin. And these days my eyes are far greener than brown.

Yeah felt a proper numpty ?

Yeah, cut a couple of tendons to my thumb, which they did repair, but were talking 6 to 12 weeks off work. I managed to pop the repair to them within a week (just sorting logs in the yard to keep the house warm) but I lost so little movement in my thumb I'm not bothered. Went back for a physio appointment and they were convicted I'd only stretched the repair and wanted me to keep resting. But I know I'd popped the repair, I had the same movement I had had after the cut and before the op. So I went back to work the day after and have worked since, a week and a half now. Went back for another physio appointment today (put my splint on for the first time since last physio appointment) she was very happy with it and told me to keep resting it ?

Bet that felt good!!! I cut my left wrist, leaving a big beech part done. Fortunately customer great and very understanding Got sorted and got back and finished it a fortnight later. Boy did it feel good when I craned the last chunk onto the trailer and got paid. .

Stunning weather here. This time last year was the start of the "Beast from the East" I know which I prefer!!

I reckon this will be your last chipper Mick, they are so well built, they last for years. Mines a 2001, I've owned it for 15 years, I reckon it will see me out.

Bellting chippers!! You will not be disappointed!! I think that will be pretty much the Towable version of the one I've got on the front of my Mog, mines a u400. They are by far the best chippers I've ever used, I don't really know why they are so good, but they just are. Before my Schliesing I had a Ducker (basically a TP) on the front of my Mog, it was a good chipper. But when I bought the Schliesing I could not believe how much better it was.

Plus the biggest bit of the tree, which requires the larger saw, tends to be rearer the ground within reach of pesky men, with their pesky hammers!!?

I remember years ago a farmer got a new tractor. In an effort to protect his vast investment he wanted to break it in gently, he filled the tank and left it on tickover all day. Completely corked up the engine, had to go back to the dealer for a strip down and de-cork.

Oh!! do tell!!!?

I general run them like I stole them, from new.

Word!! Give me a day up the tree over a day dragging and humping timber every time!!

Complacency is a big danger. You do things a few thousand times and think you have it nailed. Week before last I cocked up pretty bad, but could have been way worse. I'm off just now recovering and having a good think about how I'm going change the way I work. I do too much cutting and holding, use my saw with which ever hand suits, etc. But we all make mistakes from time to time. Lesson learned?. 25 years of climbing, never cut myself, until the other day. Apart from anything else my long-suffering wife would kill me if I do it again ?

I know beech have nuts, but never really considered them a fruit tree.

Are any of them 140footers?