skyhuck

Thanks for your input,if a way could found to draw all the professionals in our industry together in away that was financially viable for the little firms,we could try to leave the cowboys out in the cold,which could only be a good thing for everyone.

The annoying thing about this is that a vehicle produces more Co2 being built than it will produces in all its working life.So the most environmentally frendly thing we can do is run our old motors for as long as we can.

Me thinks i shall look into the ISA.

It's very wet here in the north west,and life is to short.

Ah yes, Mr Brown is managing to implement his methods to all our countries infrastructure,it doesn't mater if bad things happen so long as they can say they knew about it and had a good reason for not acting.

none.

I used to be a member and wanted to become a AA appoved contractor.I got all the info and could not believe the things they wanted to control.It was more like being a franchisee than joining a trade organisation.What business is it of theirs how i take down enquires or book appointments?ectect. And on their own figures,back then,it would cost £7500 plus all the time. Plus because of the lack of uptake,it fails,as when any person or organisation gets quotes they normally get 3 and in most areas there are not 3 AA contractors and there costs are higher so the advantage is minimal. I know i am somewhat anti authority and like to paddle my own canoe,but if AA approval was about good arb and was priced so small one or two man bands could see some benefit i'd be onboard. The reason we whing is the organisation claims to represent the trade, but what percent of use are signed up to them? Maybe some of use should get together, not to set up another trade organisation, but a lobby group to express our views to the AA in a more effective maner?

I have not been a fan of the AA, but did not know about the top handle saw,can any point me in the direction of info about this? And i will be reading this thread with interest.

Good luck hope thing work out ok. And a very good point to make and nice of you to think of others at this difficult time,thankyou.

Got married aged 20, rented house had open fire,and estate i rent from had a lot of dead elms,as a boy i had always gone with my dad to cut down dead or unwanted trees for the fire wood,so i bought a secondhand husky 266 with 20 inch bar and started felling at the weekend and cutting up for fire wood.Then got £500 gas bill so fitted wood burner with back boiler and upped production.At the time i was working in a foundry,but slipped a disc in my neck while grinding the snots of castings,while of ill i must of been walking bad with my head up and slipped a disc in my back.After 2 months on sick got sacked not worked there long enough to take to tribunal.Started working as a window cleaner,like being outside,but found it boring and repetitive.Saw job advert for grounds man,but it said you need you NPTC,i rang and said i had no ticket,but had my own saw and was keen.Started on £30 a day with my own saw self-employed.Worked with a very good climber,thought i'd love to do that.Sold my push bike for £200 and bought some second hand climbing gear.Climbed at work when ever i could and went out at the weekend and dismantled dead elms.After getting a bit more experience went and got assesed for tickets 20,21 and 22. The two climbers where i was working left to setup on there own,so left with them,didn't work out. Started subing to a couple of firms,one was a long established firm that felled for timber,the boss was a great guy who taught me more than any one before or since.Needed more climbing as both firms would keep me going full time,but not always climbing,so did a days trial for fountain forestry,as it was called then,They said they'd give me as many days as i wanted.All went well for a while working for the 3 firms,then the taxman changed the rules on labour only subies and fountain decided they were not having any subies at all.I went to the taxman and got a letter to say i was OK,but they said there were no exceptions and wanted me to go employed so i borrowed some money,bought a chipper and subbed to them with a small two man crew,advertised for domestic work. And never looked back,when the rain is running down the back of my neck i just think back to the foundry and remeber how lucky i am.

Any one can protect a tree if they want,you can just contact the council and ask them to put a TPO on the tree.

What a load of crap,few insurers,prices rise,other insurers see there is money to be made so move in,more insurers,prices fall! oh whats that called...............oh yes market forces in a free market economy!

can i play!

Don't you find the ones who complain about the cost of gear are the same people who moan about the poor money they make in the industry,it a mind set thing.

if this rain continues i my buy some for every day wear!

Echo:scared:

Showing my age again it is probable 12 years since i saw said socks!

Could you not wear your chainsaw pants under normal waders,you used to be able to get protective socks don't know if they are still availible.

I also wish to say nothing.

So better testing improves standards? That explains the dramatic improvment in the standard of driving since the new more in-depth test came in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

steady!

I don't wright the law i only try to keep within it! I would not allow a 17 yearold to drive it (don't think my insurers would like it either)

I was waiting for this one, yes i was on the motorway and they made no mention of it,they did say that as i had gone more than 50 miles from my base i should of used the tacho or a note book in the cab if i preferred.

Plugs is a good idea,but i wear radio ear phones under my muffs and would'nt want to miss my radio 4,also i put the little radio in my shirt and my mobile next to it, so when the phone rings it interferes with the radio,never miss a call even 80 foot up a tree.

I've found getting staffing levels down, not up has made me far more profitable, and specialising,but we must all do what works for use.