Tom D

Lost about half a stone now, didn't think it would work that fast...

I love the old crafts like that, shame they are all but gone.

Nice Job..

You don't look like you were being all that careful with the size of the chogs josh, I bet you got a few SSSHHHH's from the librarian.

Big J will be in tears seeing that stick ringed up.

Todays been pretty good actually, I have not been anywhere near as hungry as I though I would be, I had bacon for breakfast, we had run out of eggs so it was just bacon, the for lunch I had a load of salad with prawns followed by a few cherries and prunes, just got in and had a roll mop herring as a snack, going to have pork stir fry later..

Thanks Steve, having been shopping today it is surprising how much stuff has carbs in it.. I think i'm just going to try and stay between 50 and 100g of carbs a day...

Are lentils allowed?

I have decided to give this a try, I will stock up on things tomorrow.

Had a great omelette today, kind of greek salad, diced courgette slowly fried in olive oil with panchetta, really good fresh tomatoes and then feta cheese crumbled over after the eggs have gone in. It was great, Feta is only 0.7% carb BTW.

We are mostly commercial, the LA's and FC pay pretty fast so no problems there apart from the occasional hiccup. The worst are the big FM companies, many of whom take 90 days as standard, the worst I have had rhymed with dlengale who took 7 months to pay me £26k.

Late payment in the commercial game is pretty standard, and if you want the work you just have to put up with it. The thing to avoid is the "Marks and Spencer" trap, this is where one company provided most of your work, as M&S do with many of their suppliers. I have seen someone pushed right to the brink of bankruptcy that way, once they owe you a lot of money they can turn the screws on your pricing and you have no choice as you know that they can take you under if they want to.

There is also the risk that one of these big companied goes under whilst owing you a lot, like Connaught a few years back. Again its wise not to get too far in with any one company, as you can be sure if they do go under you will be the last to know along with their staff.

Really enjoyed that, good work with the saw and the camera.

Have you seen this?, might save the wedges on the blocking...

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/video-forum/67742-blocking-chunking-undermining-cog.html

definitely an innonoutus bracket, could be other things involved too though.

You have either the best ballasted roof mount in the world or world size balls to pick up best part of 4 tonne with a roof mount:thumbup: Hats off to you sir.

It wouldn't lift it at 4 ton LOL, managed at 3.1 though, the tractor is pretty stable, wheel weights on the back and ballasted front tyres. It has front suspension but there is a switch in the cab to drop it down onto the bump stops which helps too.

What was more impressive was Big J's little forklift lifting it off....

Chipper's going well too John..

It was 3.1 ton after I cut it, I just managed to wriggle it on one end at a time. Before cutting I think it was just under 4..

I love the county, there's something about them...

I had an effort getting this log onto the trailer today, I may need to look at the pressure relief settings..

Got it on after cutting it down to 12'

I'd add front axle king pins to that list.

Thanks for your positive response Paul, my point is a valid one, and I would be delighted to see the AA address this issue. I'll try and come to the next workshop in scotland.

This all sounds good Paul but every time I think about this I am drawn back to the question 'What's in it for me?" And then I realise ....not much.

The problem is, while I whole heartedly support the ethos of the scheme I never get asked for AAAC status. I have worked for 4 different local authorities doing works worth over £500k none have ever asked for AAAC, I have done a lot for the forestry commission, even they have never asked.

So when I look at my accounts and see my overheads are £200k why do I want to spend more time and money on this?

You still haven't addressed the basic issue of awareness, none of the big buyers round here have even heard of the AAAC, I know because I have asked them. If I am going to spend on an assurance scheme it will be ISO, having ISO will really help in the tendering process as many buyers automatically give top marks for ISO companies.

When having AAAC is the difference between winning and loosing a £50k contract I will be the first to buy into the scheme. You need to get buyers involved.

AAAC is way more relevant than ISO, I would far rather work towards an industry relevant contractor scheme like AAAC, but if no one is interested wether I have it or not what is the point?

A worthy cause, I wish I had done something like that when I was that age, it will be a real adventure.

Any kind of tractor or decent winch will have that no problem. The back weight doesn't look too bad in the pic, but I'd hate to price a job off a picture...

They lack low down power, not great for towing, you'd burn out a clutch just reversing the bandit up your drive Dean.

Interesting having the rigger riding the hook, saves the climber going up and down I suppose.

I'd take a panel out of that green fence and winch the whole stick back round and out, we have done a few of these lately, in fact I have another to look at tomorrow..Just don't do it while the river is in flood..

Oh yeah, its a canal, lol.

Can you program your electric controls?

Apparently, haven't tried though..

I have run a chipper on mine Gemtrees, it is around 100HP, runs the TP250 no problem. There's not that much difference between the 4 and the 6 cylinder except the size, the 6400 is very manoeuvrable, way more so than the new N series actually.

My tractor would be £30 k if it was in wilson's yard, but then you'd have a warranty.

I'm not sure how much the electric controls added, a couple of k at least, they are ace though, I wouldn't go back now, nor would I do without the reverse drive...

If you are in the woods all the time and the ground is steep then use a trailer crane, having said that roof mounts are more stable than you think, they just feel wobbly..

FWIW I have bought a lot of stuff off wilsons and never had any issues.

and BTW TCD my new tractor was no where near 90k! more like 60.... and .I only bought the crane from wilsons, the tractor was from John Bownes