Ty Korrigan

Our nightmare 4012 had a string of problems stemming from pressure washing which had caused water ingress into poorly protected areas. However, these where compounded by some simple toggle switches on the remote control box itself which wear out quite fast as well as the red stop button which also has a short life. These items, not cheap mind, are an utter ballache to source in Europe except from the machines dealers. Last stop switch cost 100 euros! Ty

I spiked a lime with 12 stems near Dreux. It was summer, raining, the stems covered in a green algae. I couldn't reach a suitable branch with the throwline as the canopy was so thick so we used a 3 stage ladder and I spiked the rest of the way to my anchor point. Cobra bracing was to be installed. I used large strops around the stems whilst positioning but to do all 12 stems in a day (6 pairs) spiking was the fastest way. I returned 2 years later and again last Winter to check on our work and no sign of any spike marks. I've seen how fast lime and poplar occlude and even noticed when climbing shoots from some spike marks on trees worked on by others previously. Ty

Hello, In 2013, we worked on a large and very tall Macrocarpa here in Brittany for a British couple. A member of our team who was a former tree officer before moving here gave the tree a VTA. Risks where discussed but the couple neither wished to remove such the tree nor could afford it at the time. We also removed some wind damaged and dead branches on the day. March 6th this year and storm Doris managed to uproot and topple the tree onto their cottage. The insurance is only paying two thirds out and are holding the couple liable for the remaining third as the tree was such an obvious risk. The couple have come back to us suggesting we are liable ourselves as we gave the tree a clean bill of health even though we did point out the very obvious risk to the house at the time. No written tree report was commissioned at the time. I'm not worried, it's bluff on the part of the client and I'm not going to start telling every client their trees are to come down just because they are in range of their house. Ty

What is the problem with a tacho? Today it's an id type card with your mugshot on it. I just leave it in all the time. Only ever ran out of driving time once en route to Paris and then I swapped with another lad after 4hrs. Ty

Perhaps they also worked for a fairground? Seriously though, I've seen a crew here towing a 750kg shredder connected to a tipping trailer towed by a 3.5t tipper. Although I observed it was more for convenience for deplacement on a long line of street trees. Ty

I'll hold my hands up to when we first had the machine to not examining enough the area hidden behind the swing out tanks that fills with chip debris through which the grease pipes run. I could tell from the colour of the grease who was greasing when the pipe burst as it had just gone in for it's 150hour service (little point in arguing with a French dealer) 300 hours and the dealer changed the bearing which lasted around 150hours. Too much grease this time? We changed this with G.M phone support cheers lads. The next bearing at around 750hours due to a split hose. The zip ties came loose and the hose rubbed on the fan. No grease to be seen as the fan whipped it all away. It was a very subtle split. By now the axle is not enjoying the efforts to extract the bearings and getting scored. This last fault was spotted by the Mr Turner of G.M France during a visit, he gave us fair warning that the next bearing would not last . 25 hours later there is a tell tale vibration on tick over so at 997hours it is time for a flywheel exchange and bearing. My faults are a tendance to over grease and a mistrust of dealers. Ty

We bit the bullet in Jan 2016 and took delivery of a 7t Iveco tipper. Even when full of chip we are still legal. Costs us about 50euros per 'working day' to lease so if you've a productive 3 man team out it's a no brainer. Savings alone in tipping time are huge. The chip box is good for 8m3 and we've a tool locker behind the cab with a wire cage on top for hand tools. Body is 20cm wider than the 3.5t. A reversing camera and reversing spots would be a usefull addition. The tow hitch is alot higher and that is a problem if trying to connect a trailer alone. I'm only 63kg so lifting a 1250kg chipper onto the ball is a tough call. Ty

1. Burst grease pipe 2. Faulty bearing as far as we could tell 3. Grease pipe again. 4. Flywheel axle loose on bearing causing vibration. 5. Needs new flywheel and bearing as a result. Ty

Our Quadchip has 997hours and is on it's 5th outer bearing change but now needs a new flywheel as the axle has been worn by braying the bearings off. Inner bearing we changed once as a precaution but it could have gone on for another 500hours in reality. Wish I'd sold it at 950hours... Ty

In our Mk1. Quadchip, I tried round 2 blades. On conifer hedges the result was a horrible stringy shred rather than a nice square regular chip. Could also be worn anvils though. Square blades worked far better on our machine. The two 190s we had and the current 200 all have 4 round blades and make lovely chip. Ty

So... probably a good punt then at that price? Ty

It was Dave pretending to bowl a 'googly' as he limped down the garden which caused the panic. Ty

Tell that to the farmers on the Somme... Sent from my SM-G935F using Arbtalk mobile app

Post him one Dave... Ty

Like on a first date then...? Ty:laugh1:

Wow Dave! Quite a dinner party story there. The heads of the shells, do they have screw threads for fuses? Ty

Bloody immigrants, undercutting us, stealing our stumps! Ty

Metric bearings and pulleys. Hour counter that doesn't measure 10ths A machine that uses more parts common across other industries. No reason a main kingpin pivot shouldn't be one from other machines rather than a specific and exhorbitant Carlton part. 21st century electronics rather than toggle switches robbed from the 1950's Ty

They are a common and distinct urban and autoroute weed in France. Strimmed to the ground only to re-grow with greater vigour and larger leaves than before. Ty

Hello, Do you mean the air cannons for firing throwlines? We have a couple of homemade ones. Plastic plumbing rated to 7bar. Love them but I am always worried that one day they might explode so I'll be investing in a metal one soon although that too we may make ourselves. Ty

First, well done Flarris on working on correcting your grammar he he he! Second, I changed my mind on these machines and encouraged a mate to take a punt on one. This may benefit us both as we will pool our stump jobs. Certainly sharp teeth are the key. Ty

I believe through my own Jersey Lawyer that a lack of inexpensive accomodation is an issue for migrant workers on the island. M.LeMaistre houses staff on site in a caravan I understand. Ty

Here: Ghana tree fall kills at least 18 in waterfall pool | Ghana News | Al Jazeera Ty

Ask Luckyeleven on here. Ty

Grey with a Wermacht cross... Ty