conkers
-
Posts
286 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Classifieds
Tip Site Directory
Blogs
Articles
News
Arborist Reviews
Arbtalk Knot Guide
Gallery
Store
Calendar
Freelancers directory
Everything posted by conkers
-
Seems I am not the only one who hates MEWPS. bloody rocking all over the place, beeping and buzzing and what's with the fall arrest nonesence. If one of those chaps started tumbling I would be diving for the tree canopy in no time. A much better place to be don't you think? Why put a ££££££ target under the tree anyway?
-
Just been informed that due to the residual value of trucks, decreacing, finance companies have cut the amount of balloon payment at the end of the contract-hence higher monthly payments. On the up side second hand vehicles are at an all time low price- which is actually not good for me as am selling two!
-
Totally agree. To maintain a service to a customer the tradesperson should at least be able to budget for a vehicle that is not going to be a constant worry, new or old. Doesn't mean driving around in a gold plated mog tho
-
just come out of one finance deal and moving to another. Was lease purchase and was very simple but I know there are large financial penalties if things go wrong, like poor work load and you cannot keep up payments. They tend to pull your pants down when you hand it back! Pickups and vans are easy to finance but it starts to get expensive to change modified vehicles like with high side tippers etc.You never get back the investment in the modification. So best to buy it at end of deal, and keep it till the wheels fall off. I decided I want to be in Arb another 5 or 6 years so I have gone for new Lease purchase to see me through that time with hassle free motoring. Old vehicles= less financial risk but don't forget to consider breakdown and down time if they fail. Depends on your circumstances.
-
Alex. Whatever works for the Arborist at the time. I don't think anyone here wants to do what you are suggesting. If I am above a greenhouse taking off a dead stick- say Yew- one metre long and 20cm wide I am not going to reach for the silky or the lowering line. Neither am I gonna risk a step cut and snap! Cut and chuck. Safe as houses:001_tongue:
-
I've witnessed the cut and chuck method done safely and done with utter cringworthy madness! I use the saw one handed but make sure my work position is strong. When I was new to Arb I also used to judge everyone for their apparent dangerous methods but now I use the same methods. 12 yrs never an accident- yet:ohmy:
-
What is the best and worst thing about being a Tree Surgeon
conkers replied to Bald Monkey's topic in General chat
Best= Climbing big Oaks,all day in the Lakes. Worst= Invoicing again and again and again -
Yes but a quicker way if you keep having to move the anchor or run it down the stem when snatching
-
Just quoted for some work regarding trees on a boundary dispute between two well known companies. Small job but I don't think the invoice would be paid so I quoted and added that payment must be received on the day of work but before work commences. If they don't pay we will have something else lined up within 10 miles. If you smell a rat, play hard,of course that is not possible when working for most commercial contracts. Subbie bashing is a term well used these days unfortunatly and the big guys really do want you to fold due to bad debt.
-
Had one of my blades snap and the service guy at Redwood said I had possible over tightened them over a small amount of dirt on the back plate. £230.00 for new blades! In answer to your question- Good luck it is guess work:scared1:
-
The right kit does not last forever, and reputation goes a long way. A company should not be paying for things forever on credit, it should build up a reserve to pay for breakages etc. People I speak to can't believe how expensive our day rates are- then you tell them what your kit costs and they wonder why you do it for the money. Ask the average customer the cost of the 6"chipper new and they will say about 5k! lol. I have my reasons for doing the job and it is nothing to do with money, but we have to live on something.
-
When you can time your morning evacuation to the second coz the rest of the day you wil be in the tree.
-
If arb pricing is led by the customer because they just will not pay over a certain amount, and we cannot see a profit under the amount they are willing to pay then the industry has to cope by spending less money on wages and kit. Then the only companies to survive are the ones carrying the least. I.e one sole traider with van, hired help, chipper and basic ppe. No room to expand!
-
Totally agree with you- we all need to have a pro pricing policy. Prices on this thread are all over the place, but the reality is that if love what you do and you want to keep doing it and the compitition is tight then you are destined to be happy but with cash flow issues! I think in a perfect world and with arb costs the way they are it should be 1200 +vat
-
Up here. £800-£850 +vat. But we would not get it at that, because some would be as low as £650.00 no vat and do an ok job.
-
Great to see something different and having the energy to work the tree properly. How does new and inventive rigging sit with the chin scratching, finger waggers down at HSE I wonder?
-
You all would be shocked at tree ignorance by many people in horticulture, especially in amenity horticulture and landscaping. Most have not even heard of natural target pruning. Trenching is a big problem in all aspects of construction. Trees are our livelyhood and most of us learn to respect them, we take time to learn about tree health. Look in 50% of hoticultural books and they still advocate flush cutting and painting the ''wound'' with arborex! Education on tree health has not reached many parts of the wider industy. Maybe it is up to us, the local councils and trade associations to spread the word.
-
Ok. Different examples. Would never leave pegs when branch walking or whereever there is a chance of a swing but still can't see a problem when working down a stem with the wood a few inches from yr nose and that is when most may leave pegs.
-
I'm not understanding the big peg fear. I hate spikes and love to climb the tree if I can without leg clamps. Have never hurt myself on a peg and only really require a clean stem when rigging the whole tree. Not in disagreement with anyone because everyone likes their own way of climbing, but some of you must have had bad experiences and maybe I will too but def not bothered by pegs at the mo.
-
I saw one last summer, if it is the same. This one was about as big as the largest common house spider, no significant markings and a dull red colour. Was lifting a paving slab in south lakes area and screached like a girl!
-
Can't believe some would pay to get rid of woodchip. I thought the whole point of owning a wood chipper was to not pay tip charges ! + other obvious reasons. Ring around and you will see there are people willing to pay at least fuel money for it:001_smile:
-
Ash. Especially. Large ones. The limbs are just not climber friendly. Also Pops for the same reason. All do-able but no fun!
-
Yep left in 7metre sections, all in rows, nubs off and ready for hiab. BAAAAAAAAA! So that means somebody went on site with a chainsaw. School site. Cut it up. If somebody got hurt, who is responsible for them?
-
Recently felled some large Holly and for Holly was left with some good timber. I was in the process of enquiring about posssible uses for the wood as my removal deadline was 21st July. Last resort firewood. The quote was to remove all the trees! The rep for the project, asked if some of the wood could go to a friend and usually this means some of the easy wood would go. I left it all in seven metre lengths, but a few stray bits! Turned up Saturday and the site had been stripped of every last bit. I felt peeved but also thought that the true ownership of the wood was debatable. Would you be miffed??? Opinions please
-
I would be the last one to fell a tree if it was 50/50 but it is best to dismantle the tree, assuming it is still climbable, rather than wait for it to become iffy to dismantle later on. Reeeeee-plant. Good luck with the customer. Have used Bruce Hatton once. I think he has all the kit! I usually pass his name on to the customer if assesments are needed!
