Ty Korrigan

You selling meth on the side Mick? Stuart

Do you know if the motor and head can easily be detached from the shaft? Storage/transport...

I never considered the twisting torque but yes, good point. The lack of bearings which are vulnerable to water ingress appeals. If I had a large clean workshop, I might be tempted to give replacing them a go. I tried the first time they gave out and failed in my mission so resorted to buying a fresh shaft unit. Stuart

Hello, Any feedback on battery polesaws? I currently run a 2009 Stihl whose model number is lost to memory. A couple of shaft changes where employees have dropped branches on it, a new carb and tappet adjustment plus a cracked head, it has had a hard life but proved a usefull tool hacking back overhanging skinny branches or crown raising less valuable subjects not worth climbing. I intend to sell it before the shaft bearings give out again. I don't like that job one bit. Battery appeals as the shaft is lighter, only having a cable inside and no propshaft and bearings. Motor is of course in the head. Thanks Stuart

Pinched from a Quebec arb guy I follow. I think he normally works with slightly larger machines...

Product review: Both the grinder and the operator are reliable but slow and underpowered. Cake tasted strongly of Ganoderma, de-lignified oak and Longhorn beetle larvae. Hey! This ain't cake you sent me Cropper! It's your bloody rakings! Happy nearly dead day Dave

Keyboard Warrior! How dare you insult my manhood whilst hiding behind a screen. I'll give you stern talking to when you turn up for work, insolant pup of a sub-contractor... Moi x

Beef up by 22% in one article.

As the cost of living rises, are you too considering raising your rates? Here in France, wholesale electricity prices have risen to eye watering levels The public are insulated against this but the evening news reported that bills may double in 2022 for households and small businesses whilst large businesses are not protected from price rises and must shoulder the cost. Reports of businesses cutting hours or evening in the case of a large saw mill, giving EDF the bird and investing in a diesel generator. There are the vagaries of gas and oil supply too. Diesel was down to 1.05euros per litre a year ago and is now hovering around 1.50 All products that rely on electricity in their manufacture are effected of course. Bread doubly so with poor harvests world wide and it being cooked largely in electric ovens. Pasta, butter, all vegetables due to the ban of plastic packaging, continious reports of shortages, price rises across the board. Minimum wage rises here by a measily 11 euros net per month though many employers are facing staff shortages have been forced to up their offers often by several hundred euros per month in order to attract staff. Ikea are raising their prices by 9% so I'll need to work harder still to keep Mrs Lee away from there. Me? well I have too much work booked in and a price hike might help reduce my lead times. Stuart

Aside from the Vermeer hydro tracked machine which is pretty gutless, there is the Toro STX 38 Anyone have experience of this machine? Stuart

I used that Vermeer hydro machine whilst working for @pie eater pete It seemed well made but so gutless for it's size I assumed it was faulty. . Stuart

In the opinion of those with more experience of these things, are grinders which use hydraulic motors instead of belts worthwhile or is the power loss to significant with smaller engines? I've read articles that suggest 'up to' 30% loss overall. Stuart

Ah, that was taught at Merrist Wood on the early 10 week courses before the Irish troubles put a stop to it. It was used on the farm I worked on in Westland N.Z. The guys from the quarry would come and do it in exchange for meat around Christmas. Stuart

If I make the jump from a wee pedestrian to a man size machine, in the opinion of the members of this parish, which machine offers the most 'bang for the buck'? Stuart

€580 15hp chippette €1280 delivery fee... Stuart

Sound advice. I know from having employees that whenever unsupervised, shortcuts are often taken. Regrinds are tedious and bad for the reputation. It has been 5 years since I subbed stumps out and then I was on site to supervise, prep and clear up. Stuart

Other friends have told me similar. In fact, 4 of them run used Vermeer 252, one with a 30hp engine. Simple and effective. I've just looked again at hire machines, really nothing more than 25hp available here. Stuart

Just received a quote for the 37-110 €29'000 plus tva (£24'700 plus vat) Does any-one know the Vermeer prices of any of the 3 smaller grinders? Stuart

'Barb-a-papa' at the Rennes Christmas market this evening. Stuart

This one from Agri-Euro is essentially the same as the Jansen unless there is some hidden McTrickery like a different gear box. No delivery charge either so €800 less expensive. Brouette motorisée GeotechPro H-540D Hydro , en Promo sur AgriEuro WWW.AGRIEURO.FR Brouette à moteur GeoPorter H-540D Hydro - Caisson dumper 500Kg However I really need a box with folding sides or log carrier both of which can be bought separately from Jansen. This week we had a pine to remove. No room for the tractor but I could have easily rolled the rounds of wood to where a tracked dumper could have driven too and backed out, no messy turning. Even so, I'd probably buy a few ground mats. Stuart

Better quality stop button, edges of main parts finished better, chute pivot better design but very similar. Same machine in every other way. I'm still chuntering over a tracked mini-dumper, my chosen model under different brands with different makes of engine cost from 2634euros up to 3300 Stuart

Camellias in full bloom and Forsythia flowers emerging in Brittany. Stuart

Just visited the local saw shop and seen one just like mine for €2400. Looking more closely it is actually better finished and put together hut in every other aspect the same machine I bought from Agri-euro delivered on a pallet for €1372. Stuart

The French seem to have little fear of chainsaws, or deafening noise. Me, dressed in full PPE cross cutting logs that some old boy insists on holding onto. Other old boys of the same ilk, walking under the tree you are rigging, staring myopically into the crown and saying "beaucoup boulot" (alot of work) The Groundy asks him to move away from danger. M. Le Connard taps Groundy in the chest and tells him that he was in Algeria and knows a thing or two about danger before walking slowly away to inspect the chipper. Welcome to my world. Stuart

Could even be a selling point in gentrified areas... Stuart