arbogrunt

wow!, that harness would have failed a loler test when Pontius was still a pilot!

I have to admit, they only time I prune trees at certain times to achieve growing objectives is when I do my own ones!

Lavoro's are comfy but has anyone found they make your feet stink?!

thats a lovely little trick there steve!, I'll have to try that one . With regard to retrieving the working end of the lowering rope when you throw it thru a fork...I either cut off a small branch and hook it in, or put a bight in the rope and swing it round it and pull it in. If I'm low enough to the ground, I just lower the working end down to the groundie and he clips in on the line to choke it I pull up the slack. Another handy trick someone showed me, when the line is pulled back into the pulley and your below it, the groundie puts a marlin spike hitch on the line and runs it up to the working side of the block so the working end doesn't slip up out of reach (I HATE it when that happens!). You can do this before you throw the line out to the end of a long limb when your cradling too. Hope some of that ramble makes sense!

'i have it in a Samual L Jackson voice' Defo!, I can hear it now 'when you absolutely have to prune every tree in the street, the Stihl MS200T, accept no substitute!'

'He wouldnt reach the side of the chip box to get it' Hey, I'm a tree bandit...not a time bandit!

'Bag of Chaff for an "Arb Stallion" mate' Arb stallion?...I was gelded years ago mukka!

'its a tough job but you wont make anywhere near the same money as an employed climber or groundsman' ..by that I assume you mean you will earn MORE than an employed climber or groundie?! I've been a freelance climber for about the last 8 or 9 years. Its not much different from being on the cards really. Yes, you get a better day rate, but take off your insurance, PPE, tools, vehicle and no holiday or sick pay and its not much more of an earner than an employed climber. That said, I couldn't work for the same firm day in day out, it would drive me nuts!. You can earn good money if your reliable, quick and your work is to a high standard. People do take the pee sometimes..I often do a day and a halfs work in one day to get a job done for someone and don't even expect a 'drink'...you won't get one!. Get your tools squared away and some experience under your belt, charge a fair rate and don't try and do jobs above your ability level and you'll do alright.

best time to prune an oak...just after I've sharpened my saw there are of course recommended times to prune and not to prune..the reality is, if you don't get on with it, someone else will. Fair enough with some species that bleed when cut at certain times of year, otherwise...crack on!

If theres a ladder on site, I always use it. Why waste time and energy thrusting up to your anchor-point when you can use it pruning/dismantling?. Also, over the years, I've had to do 2 rescues...both of them from a ladder. I work with a bloke now and then who's been doing treework for over 40 years, occasionally, when, I get an awkward moment in climbing, the ladder suddenly extends and fills the gap out onto a branch or stem...he reads the situation and helps out where he can, handy!. So, in my opinion....ladders..get them off the wagon at the start of the job and don't put 'em back on till the climber is all done and on the ground!.

don't get them small mate, the crotch will rip and the fly will pop...unless you like plenty of fresh air whilst your working

hmmm, I've been using a 201T since june and I love it!. Got shot of the new stihl chain...didn't like sharpening it in the field. I've got oregon 91 on a 14" bar and its a blinding saw...in fact, I'm using a 357 a lot less on big takedowns. Had to give it a wee tune up after it was run in, now I'm very pleased with it.

ha ha!, I didn't start doing tree work till I was 30..now 47 and still climbing 5 - 6 days a week...just keep doing it till it hurts...then keep doing it...simples

If I was young at the moment, I'd go and do 3 years in Army, ride out the recession and get into treework after. Hard times ahead for next few years for all of us, young 'uns don't have much of a chance of even getting their foot in the door. Good luck though mate!

stretch airs last longer and are more comfy for sure. 'a stitch in time saves nine' defo pays off with chainsaw trousers, a small nick can be a big hole in no time when your climbing. Isn't it about time someone brought out a pair of chainsaw trousers with a replaceable outer?....I guess none of the mainstream manufacturers will as they will lose our hard earnt cash buying new a new pair every time they wear out!.; Theres a market out there for this!!

I was working with a mate of mine on one of his jobs and the customer came out and said 'does cash make any difference to the price?' my mate said 'no, it all gets banked anyway' and the bloke said 'I'm glad you said that, I'm a VAT inspector'

don't ever buy a second hand harness mate!....if you know (and trust!) the person who's selling it and you know when he bought if..fair enough. I've used a Weaver and found it the most uncomfortable harness I've ever climbed in..however, I sold it to a good mate of mine and he loved it!. I'm climbing a Seqouia swing now and its great. The best thing is to get your weight in a harness and try it out before you buy..nothing worse that buying online and it doesn't suit you.

I've always cut them all year round (unfortunately!), but I don't clip them up if theres a risk of frost.

I've recently bought 35m of Yale Scorch and I hate the stuff. Samson Arborline handles superbly and its perfect for a lockjack, I'll be right back onto it!

we need to spread our wings again and break free of the Eurozone and all its red-tape and corruption. We should never have turned out backs on the Commonwealth and joined the 'European Market' in the first place. The sooner we disengage from this un-democratic, doomed Socialist experiment the better!.

had the same problem last week, just take the cover off the starter side and plug the lead back on its spade.

some very poorly paid groundies down this way...truth is, there are tree firms down here employing people on benefits and paying them £40-50 cash. There is a massive difference between a trained groundperson and a labourer/brush-rat..some people just don't see it!

phew!, that was a relief, as I was going to totally disregard this piece of unwanted Euro-legislation...like several other bits of unwanted legislation I'm currently disregarding!

use Husky low smoke, Stihl bio or Aspen 2 stroke oil...and don't get your petrol from Tesco's. My Husky 357XP is suffering from a couple of tanks of regular Stihl 2 stroke at the mo