Silverback

I'm no expert but I'm looking ahead in terms of career development. I complete an ND in June and come out with CS30, 31, 39 and Climb Trees and Aerial Rescue (used to be 38). To my eyes, there doesn't seem to be much point in having a seperate CS39 (Chainsaw from a Rope and Harness) and CS40 (Pruning Operations). An NPTC money spinner? I think so, if not, could anyone explain why it is necessary to have these two certs. seperate?

Now then Dan.

When I did mine you only had to do CS 20,21 and 22 and this pretty much covered you for everything.

When the new units came about you were automatically awarded a majority of these through the grandad rights sort of scheme.

The old units used to encompass a few of these in one, i.e. using a saw from a rope would cover the correct pruning techniques in line with BS 3998. All I can think of is as the others have all said is that it is a bit of a cash cow, or perhaps the old ones were too general.

Cheers

Silverback

Can anyone tell me off the top of there head what ticket you need for viaduct work???

Now then The Tree Hunter,

What exactly are you wanting to do ?

Tim carwright, he's ex fountains/tilhill. Worked with tim on the old NORWEB contract with fountains for a short while back in 98/97, good bloke.

 

Heard of the other two but can't picture them

Many a happy day spent out with TC ! Not a good lad though, he was in the South Lakes crew ! You forget your roots, young man !

I appreciate that this can be irritating, but I have seen it from both sides.

When I used to run vegetation contracts it was always a concern as to who was wanting to come onto your outages, as essentially it could be any bugger turning up with a bow saw, or such like.

If you do know who it is that deals with the veg management in that area, try to establish a good relationship with them as this could add to other work on the back of it.

In addition it helps you in future if you have built up a relationship as they know how you work and how they work.

If it is in the CE Electric (NEDL / YEDL) region get the customer ring up and complain to the call centre. They do hold the details for all of the calls made and if you get the job number you can ring up on their behalf. The call centre does have to log every call made and when you kick up enough fuss all of the evidence is there to be displayed.

Again I see people are offering all sorts of weird and wonderful explanations as to what type of powerline this is and that is and what the rules are.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE IF ANYBODY IS IN ANY DOUBT, DON'T GO NEAR ANYTHING, OR HALF GUESS. Yes it's irritating if work gets postponed, or takes a long time to get sorted, but better it takes a bit of time to sort it, than chance your life over it !

If anybody thinks I'm wrong, or wants to argue the point then please do so !

That's true, but in fairness that is one of the quickest ways to identify whether, or not the cables are carrying electricity, that and the big yellow signs saying Danger Of Death. (granny, suck eggs ! I know and so do you !)

Trust no one !

You still can't beat a "cotton eye joe" (254) brilliant saws wish I'd never sold mine !

I'm in agreement, but you know the crack with trying to get anything recognised in this country.

If you take utility arb as an example, most of the rec's won't accept even NPTC units as a form of training and insist on all people working on their contracts undertaking their generally out of date and irelevant training.

I would like to see some competition out there, it's like being ruled by the same government for years and years and years !

Gerry Anderson who created Thunderbirds, Stingray and Captain Scarlet etc, once said that F A B didn't stand for anything, however in Captain Scarlet they do say S I G which I know stands for Spectrum Is Green.

Pointless and not particularly relevant, but there you go (was worried you may be staying awake at night thinking about this !).

Hope this helps !

If you look at the picture it could initially be assumed to be a 33kv due to the conductor (cable) diameter and the size of the galss dish insulators.

But, when you look at the pin insulators supporting the jumpers they are too small to be 33kv.

The diameter of the conductor is probably AAAC (Aluminium And Alloy Composite) which is always thicker than standard copper conductor.

The point is that the people who have replied thus far have been able to identify that these are electricity lines.

As for the ABC / BT cables bring it on, but you must show the structure suporting it i.e pole, bracket on building etc.

Ok then, here we go !

First picture - three phase 11kv mainline with two phase 11kv coming off from a tapping pole c/w two dropout expulsion fuses.

Second picture - First pole - 11kv intermediate pole with ceramic pin insulators - probably a 12metre stout.

Third picture - 11kv section angle pole with glass dish insulators, jumpers over the top supported by ceramic insulators c/w insulated stay wire (polymeric type).

Well then Roy Walker, what are the scores on the board ?

Seems fair to me !

Sorry, but no, haven't come across that one !

Doesn't mean to say it isn't worth anything as from an employers point of view it would still stand as a record of formal training for that role.

Cheers.

Aye, a bit of good that !

I like owt like that !

Had several pairs over the years and always found them to be a great boot compared the others on the market.

The elten fellsman were a good boot also, but both had the problem that the heel wasn't very big, so some people complained that when using gaffs (dismantling only of course !) they would slip out. Never a problem that I experienced !

Bring back the Oregon green boots, that's what I say !

Could be worth speaking to Haix, but like Mr. Bunny I also worked in both electrical arb and on railways and the Haix were an ideal hardwearing boots for both types of work.

Hi Neil

Read your post and have you tried fountains, their head office is at the Malthouse in Banbury (opposite Matalans and across the road from the train station).

The website is http://www.fountainsplc.com where you will find more info about the company and contacts etc.

Good luck !

Fair comment - it would appear everyone's an expert !

I have worked in utility arb for over 11 years and know quite a bit, but don't feel confident offering any advice on this one !

There are subtle, regional variations that could mislead you completely.

I was thinking about posting some general photo's as advice, but as I said above my photo's may bare very little relevance to equipment used in other regions.

To echo previous comments I would strongly reccomend not necessarily taking, but at least reading / obtaining a copy of the NPTC UA1 + UA2 a + b.

Sorry Andy, this email isn't aimed at you, just a general one for all members.

In addition if anybody suspects there are powerlines within the vicinity of their proposed works, they should ring the local electricity company, who will be more than happy to advise (but they can takr their time getting back to you !).

I hope this helps and if not sorry if it offends !

Agree with some of the other comments about it being overdramatised rubbish.

They work unsafely and as with everything else that seems to go on in America it's always portrayed as a massive adrenalin rush.

They can't be real wood cutters as they all seem to hav etheir own teeth !

Brilliant scenery though !

I agree, you sound like my kind of bloke !

When I was training nearly fifteen years ago now, my lecturer said to me at the time " you can chop down a tree and pay for a bag of chips, or you don't and you go hungry !" wise words I've always felt at the end of the day. Moral fibre is a good thing to have, but common sense will pay your bills and feed your family. Anyway what ever happened to the customer being right ?

End of rant ! Thankyou !

All good advice !

My only tip is to use one of the roller guides. I have a partner one which I've had for years and it fits nearly all types of chains.

It is important however to make sure that it is used the right way around.

The other thing is, don't assume because a file is new that it is a good one. I have bought boxes in the past and had to chuck at least half of them away.

Sometimes the metal is soft or hasn't been manufactured properly and this means they don't work as well as they should. With practice you will spot these, but basicly there should be a little bit of resistance as you push the file accross the cutter and it should feel smooth along the length of the file.

Everybody advises you should use a vice, but let's be honest who actually takes one out into the field with them. There is nothing more satisfying than being able to sharpen your chains as it makes your life so much easier.

To summarise - 1) Do wear gloves when you do this as anybody who has ever used a chainsaw will have chunks taken out of their fingers and knuckles.

2) Take your time and practice with a vice in a workshop first as this will help you out in the field to understand what it should feel and look like.

Hope this helps !

Well done Poletecs !

I like trees but, they hate me ! Or, I like trees but, why do dogs alway cr%p round the back of them. I like trees but, they love me. I like trees, but they don't say much. I like trees but, unlikeus they think more and say less !

I'm sure all of you are busy snapping photos for the fungi competition, but if you're stuck for something to fill your time, why not have a try at this fun little competition sponsored by Andy Johnson of www.treequip.co.uk

 

Simply complete the following sentence, "I like trees but....."

 

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good luck everyone, you have till Sunday, October 4th @ 6pm

 

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