Rich Rule

Keboots. All will become clear when he is crowned.

A smug Irish tvvat.

You are quick to assume they are travellers. Low life's yes but I would put money on them being Eastern European. Either way I hope you get your kit back.

I see it has improved your looks mate... Only kidding, heal quick and good luck back up in the promised land!

Fair enough. Good luck with your new endeavours.

Just as the uproar from Stihl's policy had seemingly started to die down, along come this thread. This has only opened the can of worms again. I hope Stihl read it, but I don't hold out for it and I really don't think they care. The cynic in me thinks the thread was started by a Husky dealer. It would be appropriate timed as the new topper has hit the shelves.

Cheers for the reply. I have to disagree with you there. I stopped charging 120 quid a day about 5 years ago. Companies out there pay the money if you are worth it. It is down to you to find them. As Si said, if you are unhappy with this then why not find something else that pays more?

Is that what Stihl have told you to say? What is the point of providing a handbook to help with maintenance issues if you are supposed to take it back to the dealer?

I agree entirely. As I mentioned in my earlier post, I have an excellent still dealership within 3 miles of my house. Parts and equipment are readily available, plus I have never purchased any Stihl equipment online. That being said, I am not going to purchase anything Stihl unless absolutely necessary and I have no other option! I have already started with Sugihara bars for my saws. I really hope that Stihl's next quartely results will be poorer than a tramp on Oxford street.

Thanks for clearing that up. FTR It doesn't really bother me as there is an excellent Stihl Dealership very close by. I do believe that not many have a problem with the purchase of machinery - But what if the same elderly gentleman had made a round trip from a rural area of say 40 miles away to purchase said trimmer with Ergostart. On the second time of using said trimmer there is a problem with the starter system and the trimmer has to be returned as one of the components is faulty. This scenario of the 80 mile round trip is fine for an elderly gentleman who may have the time and wants a trimmer that does what it says on the tin. On the other hand a busy Arb pops over to grab a new 660 for a job he has coming up that week. On the first day of using the chain break handle goes to Jelly from the heat of the exhaust. (Not unheard of) He then has to take another afternoon of work to make the 80 mile round trip for the sake of a 20 quid handle that could have been sent in the post. Or an MS200t needing new clutch springs... the list of scenarios is endless. That is what people seem to have a problem with.

Are you experienced? If you are why not go out there and find some companies that will appreciate the skills you bring to their companies? Sorry if I missed it... But are you ex mitary?

Or Mike hill even

Some times that isn't such a bad thing. You can then charge them more money...

There you go then. Surely the companies you speak off might need a hand now and again. Just make sure they don't take the p.

Yes David, it was at a school. The limb didn't have any noticeable decay. All seemed fairly solid and healthy. It was a concern as the area directly under the tree with water feature and benches was a thinking are for the kids. Quite a few of the children used to go there and contemplate. I think a bit like a nice area for children who are having problems such as bullying etc. The tree has since had some end weight reduction to the lower laterals?

Another one I found on my phone. The limb failed on a large mature Oak last year. It was after a period of heavy rain and we cleaned up the mess. Not a shrub or paving slab was damaged. Only a very expensive designer water fountain... .

I would say the experience that you gain before becoming a contract climber is most important. People don't really want to hire you to learn a job. That want you in get the job done and they get paid. Hence my earlier questions. On the plus side, on e you have been doing it for a while you will get and idea of who is good to work for and who extracts the Michael.

Life can be good. You can be very busy if your good, depending on area. Can I ask, how long you have been climbing? Could you do pretty much any tree in a timely and safe manner? You will get a mixture of jobs, some out of the skill range of the person hiring you. Some cushy jobs but mostly the crap that people dont want to do themselves. This week I have rigged out 4 large trees over targets that have been coated in Ivy and greenfly. That is the stark reality of the glamour of contract climbing.

One on Sunday. I warned a couple of families that it had fallen recently that it probably wasn't that wise to have a picnic under there. 2 of them moved but sometimes you can't fix stupid! The lady who stayed there was looking after a number of kids. Species was an Ash, no wind or rain that day...

My mate gave me a pair of the planner ones. I lasted 5 minutes in them and went back to Eko grip specials!

Good work. Anymore pictures?

Try putting in the splicing forum mate.

I would say looking at the pictures you have a nice looking tree there. Taking 7-8 foot off the tree will ruin the aesthetics of the tree and probably lead to its decline. IME larger wounds on Silver birch tend to rot down and then in a few years you are left with overgrown leaders attached to decayed stems.

Still mate, regardless of training, I would still use arb specific kit. I will make it easier and if you have been free climbing 50 years then you have a knack for it. Arb kit may make it easier in the long run. Are you work or reccy climbing?

I used to work for the bloke in the picture and have used that machine a fair bit. For the right job it is a labour saver indeed.