John Hancock

A few more.... I was looking at the sub 750kg chippers, hence the photos. The Land rover is now apart of my ‘fantasy garage’. I found the mini digger parked under the veteran Oak particularly interesting. Given its location….

Again…..Good publicity!!

Just a few random Pictures to start off with...

Haha, you causing more trouble on Arbtalk mate?! Its not Richard, its Tom! Need all the training I can get dude – How about you offer it free to all Midland Arbtalk members at the meet?

No worries dude, would have been nice to have you there but fair play....Good-luck!! Are you at the show this weekend??

The thread reminds me of a certain Monty Python sketch……especially because we’re all going to the show at the weekend... [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaE3EaQte78&feature=fvst]YouTube - Life of Brian - What have the Romans done (Immaculate Ed.)[/ame]

I'm coming Friday with my two lads, I hope to stay the night so will be bringing my newly acquired tent and will be going ‘wild’.

I’m talking about the councils/housing association approved contractors list. Why be lazy and rely on the AA approved list when there are so many good companies out there!?

I've been a member of both the AA and the ISA. Join the ISA - Much better! They are friendly, they care about our industry and they don’t have their heads up their own arses! (sorry mods, tried to find an alternative expression to get my point across, but couldn’t)

That must be because they are ignorant, lazy so and so’s (IMO). Surely it wouldn’t take much time and effort to research your local tree care companies, sort out the good from the bad and then add them to their approved contractors list. I for one, don’t need the AA to tell me I’m a good contractor.

The test involved cross-cutting (lime was used). The saws were in normal, everyday condition i.e. chains sharp and correctly tensioned. I made no special preparation, i.e. fitting new AV rubbers. The plan is to have all equipment tested every 12 months.

Isn't the AA supposed to fight our corner??

Dave is the Master, he's smooth, smoother than a smooth thing, but he's the Master.

Funnily enough that topic of conversation came up several times this morning! lol I for one enjoy ringing-up the big trees and this isn’t going to stop me, no sir!

At least my employer has now made a benchmark by getting and paying for an independent test on all equipment (not just the tree team). The HSE states –‘ By law, as an employer, you must assess and identify measures to eliminate or reduce risks from exposure to hand-arm vibration so that you can protect your employees from risks to their health’ I’m not going to knock the council for doing what they are supposed to do.

Hand-Arm Vibration – Shock Truth! These are some examples of my results for saws that I consider typical working saws (some with slightly warn AV rubbers, the 044 had the rakers files down a little lower then normal… 1. 0200 T - 1hr-12m EAV (Exposure Action Value) 4hrs-48m ELV (Exposure Limit Value) 2. 026 – .18m EAV 1hr.13m ELV 3. 044 - .11m EAV .44m ELV 4. 066 - .18m EAV 1hr 13m ELV In short, if I abide by the legislation I can only use the 044 for 44 minuets, after that I cant use any other saw or blower for the rest of the day. The 066 is slightly better, as it’s a fairly new saw with a new chain. The maximum allowed time I can use this saw is 1hour and 13 minuets! I think I can work around these regulations as long as I have a full team so each member can make full use of there allotted time allowance on each saw. The problem will come on a call-out or storm when we’ve got multiple wind-blown trees. What do we do when we’ve all used up our allowance? Walk away?

Hand-Arm Vibration – Shock Truth! No doubt you’re all aware of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations Act 2005 and its implications for our industry. To tell you the truth I wasn’t fully aware myself, until our saws were inspected by an independent specialist this morning… The regulations will effect you if you employ anyone who uses a chainsaw, pole-saw, hedge-cutter, blower or strimmer. Basically the equipment is tested for vibration and then an Exposure Action Value (Daily recommended safety limit) and an Exposure Limit Value (Absolute limit) is given. If your employee uses a saw for more then the Exposure Limit Value then they are at severe risk of White Finger and you’ll be liable to prosecution by the HSE.

No he isn’t. I should imagine the Ferrari tested on that track came on one condition (that it was driven by a Ferrari approved driver, i.e Michael Schumaker). I always understood the Stig was a certain well known touring car driver.

Greenmech all the way! I've had 6" from them years ago and it was an excellent chipper, the service is very good too.

Just been on TV - Next week is going to be the hottest so far this year!!

Arbtalk.co.uk

I have a scanner, but no photos - Doh!

Your welcome to bring the grinder mate, your wife, the kids and any horsy friends she may have!

Nice one fella! Your should be on there - wouldnt stand a chance then! See you in two weeks!