Chris Sheppard

Sounds like I had a lucky escape then

If it's a dixon bate hitch it's not too bad to do - yes there's a piston in there but you can either push a bar through the bolt hole from the other end as you knoch the bolt out. If the piston does push out, you should bea ble to lever it back fairly easily - last one i did was about 10min at most. Disclaimer - this worked on the particular hitch we had at the time but might not be the same for all hitches

I like it - a chipper on each end to half the time on site

I think every pair I've seen were home made - a lot of the ones I saw consisted of a pair of football boots, some gas struts off a car boot/bonnet (drileld to let the gas out) and one pair even had some bike pedals incorporated into the design (I kid you not!) We helped out the guys with the belaying at the Great yorkshire show one year as there was more competitors than usual - one guy was that fast we had to jsut turn and run with the rope to get it through fast enough to take it the slack

Just found out that one of the neighbours, a groundcare company had all of their Quads stolen last night - seems they came for our Lorry to take them all away on I was amazed how far they got the lorry across the field - if it hadn't been quite so long they'd have probably got it onto the road but fortunately the drop was steep enough to belly it good and proper - I wasn't there when the police recovered it but apparently it took some pulling. We've tried all sorts of systems but they all depend on someone getting there quickly, by the time you've jumped out of bed, rang the police and jumped in the car they'll probably be long gone - the only reason anyone knew this was happening was coz the lorry looked like it had been crashed and was left with all the lights on and that attracted some attention.

At some point after 8:30pm last night, our yard was broken into again - fortunately this time they couldn't drive in because of the bollards so instead they broke into our 7.5 tonner, hitched up to the firewood processor, dragged it along the yard so they could try and get out acrsoo the field, tipping it over in the process (1.5 tonnes of machine landing on it's bendy bits). Then they drove the lorry out across the field and tried to drive downa steep grass bank (through the fence and over the hedge) and ended up bellied out and stuck) The lorry had part of a fast tow trailer loaded onto it still when the police got there but still trying to work out if anything has actually gone yet. Even if nothing has gone we've still got a totalled processor (brand new, not even demoed), no lorry (don't know if it's written off or fixable yet - forensics took it away), and more damage to repair around the yard. Seems whatever you do you can't keep em out

Always heard good stuff about them but don't think they do one with a telescopic extension so depending on what you're doing it might be a PITA (either too short or, if the long one, too numb when loading the front bay of the trailer). Parralel linkage is supposed to be quite useful and speed up the loading time (never tried it though so only what have been told)

We were told about this one too - all being well we'll be there with a stand - should be a good show

As much as I'd really like to come I'm stuck doing something else that weekend and can't get out of it

Looks smart, looks better than a white one too if it's the turbo one (i know there's not loads of them about) it should go well - ours is a 98 R reg XLWB Hi roof with the turbo (the manky yellow one sat on our stand at Capel) and fully loaded will still cruise at 70 all day long and is pretty good with the trailer on too.

I agree, even with firewood at the prices it is now, at 6" diameter you're going to be working hard enough to get enough down and out each day to make it worth doing, even without paying anything for it. If he's stubborn, tell him you'll work for £X a day to fell and extract it for him and then your prepared to buy it at roadside @ £X a tonne. Might make him realise around us, processor sized hardwood thinnings are making anything between £5-£10 per tonne standing but this is only a fairly recent thing - most I'd ever paid previously (18 months or so ago) was a token £1 a tonne standing just so the Estate had something to go through the books. Around us, if you can get it, firewood is typically £25-£35 a tonne depending on the quality. Getting to the point where you can't be picky now either!

I'd thought that too. Done something similar with a tractor that had ground out on ruts, tied a strainer to the back of both rear wheels at ground level, locked the diff and reversed up - untie the strainer and repeat as necessary (hope that makes sense)

I did like my 372, used to mainly run 15" bar and 8 tooth rim and full chisel chain. Used to use it mainly for thinnings, dressing out big softwood and slicing stuff up for the splitter. Did have a 20" bar too but tended to use the 066 if it needed a long bar. Really nice saw to use but thirsty. Have used a 441 for a few hours - did like it but it felt a bit more relaxed than a husky (though not as bad as the older stihls felt) though it felt in standard trim like it would handle a bigger bar better than the 372. Also seemed less thirsty than the 372 but don't think there was a huge difference in it. Never tried the Makitas but not heard anything bad.

I'm going too - be there both days with work. Never been before so quite looking forward to it.

That's the spitting image of my old one, Spike. Looks a grand little dog

How far North have munties got now? We used to see a lot when we were planting round Northants a few years ago but never actually seen one further north. There was panic a few years back when one was allegedly spotted in Greystoke Forest near Penrith - we spent loads of time there stalking with college and never saw any though. Never actually seen a CWD in the flesh come to think of it.

Yes for me too, Shotgun and firearms - but not as often as I used too. Mainly rabbits and pigeons with a bit of ratting and the odd crow or two. Used to get the odd walk and stand days when we were at college.

Excellent video he made it look so effortless! Made me smile - bloke looked like a younger version of one of the estate guys near us - I know it's not him but could just of imagined him doing that a few years ago.

Not that I've ever tried it but I have heard that there is a way of getting a bit more life out of the seals - a few drops of brake fluid in the power steering reservoir apparently causes the seals to swell slightly and more often than not seal the leak (unless of couse the seal is damged rather than worn). Having not tried it I can't confirm or deny but I'm guessing the sealants on the market work in a similar way.

El Chorro region of Spain I think

Apparently it's all fenced off at the ends as some people died doing it a few years back. Couple of mates are hoping to head out that way for a bit of climbing in a few weeks but I can't get the time off

that's some haul. not just the inconvenience but no way of making a days wage - W***ers.

Classic case of typing before engaging brain - oops

Does monkey puzzle count? Larch was the only other one I could think of

Impressive.