Taupotreeman

Not sure if there's been any problems reported over in the UK but I have heard a couple of stories here of the Pistons disintegrating in the Hilux. I have aguy here that blew the eengine up after only a few thousand. The truck was regularly serviced and well looked after but he's having a huge issue getting Toyota to pay for the repairs. Apparently it's not the only one.

Choice. Then it's settled, it's coming home with me. The locals can bugger off and find firewood elsewhere.

Haha, don't wear strides then nobody notices if the helmet doesn't match. Can get a bit draughty though.

I did a macrocarpa hege the other day that smelt of dog crap but that's probably because the garden I was dragging the brash through was full of the stuff. Big Labrador, poor sod looked like he'd never been out of the garden judging by the mess. Everything got caked.

Jeez I can't believe how expensive those wood bruners are back in England. They're about half that price here for a larger version. We use ours for heating the hot water and cooking on in Winter. Saves the bill on electricity massively. I think ours cost about $2500 so about 1150 quid. Throws out a heap of heat too.

Sorry guys, came in a bit late on this thread but for what it's worth; A fella recently tried to fell a Willow (about the same size as the tree in the pic I think) which wasn't even hung up and nearly killed himself when it went wrong and barber chaired back and landed on him. Hung up trees and those on a lean can throw up several different scenarios as to what may go wrong so if you don't have the experience I wouldn't attempt it. It only takes one wrong cut, one wrong move etc for something really bad to happen. Get someone with the knowledge to do it and then get yourself on a couple of courses to learn how to deal with this type of thing safely. We all want to go home to the family at the end of the day and for the sake of saving a few quid is it worth risking your neck?

I find both Larch and Leylandii are excellent for kindling once dried well and yes, Poplar was used for match sticks. We have heaps of the stuff here. It's like a weed and was over planted back in the day so is readily availbale as firewood. Obviously burns quicker than most but in an enclosed firebox it burns hot and gets that heat in the fire for the harder natives and stuff like Wattle and gum. Some of our natives here are horrendously sooty and you end up cleaning the chimney on a monthly basis so Monkey Puzzle shouldn't be a major, just make sure it's well dried.

Can't be half as bad as dried for two years gum. Explodes like a hand grenade and is nigh on impossible to split with an axe.

High scale, what don't you like about the kask helmets? Sorry to derail the thread slightly. I found the vertex vent pretty good but liked the look of the steins.

Funny how stuff that you were always told was crappy firewood actually burns OK. Haven't tried Monkey Puzzle but I might now. Was also told Poplar was no good but there's some guys here making a good living out of it as firewood.

That's my intent. Safe operation of the chipper for me is leaving my groundy to do it

There'd be some serious redecorating of the interior of the underpant department after that I would suggest

oooooooo ouch, unlucky.

Good advert for banging the chainbrake on after every cut there eh.

Helps heaps thanks muchly. I did wonder about the goggle visor thing. I haven't found any visor or safety glass style yet that keeps clean or doesn't fog up when you get a sweat on. Nothing worse than trying to peer through a visor full of Pine sap....except for maybe a chunk of wood chip in your eye.

Hi littletree, sorry, can't help with your problem but you might be able to help with mine. I'm due a new helmet as my vertex vent is about out of date and have been looking at the Stein helmets. I'd appreciate your view on them and if you use the solid visor or have opted for the mesh visor?

Should be great with my chuck and duck chipper then It eats it so fast you don't have time to get out of the way before the branch comes whipping around. I'll have my groundy see to it, he's usually getting belted by the odd branch that's out of control. Willow, Pin Oak and Birch are the worst but this one might really make him sing.

I also have a folder here with over 350 workplace fatalities in the states from falling, electrocution, chainsaw, chipper and various other incidents relating to tree work. I and a senior trainer used them for training procedures at the last company I worked for. No pictures but if they're of any use I might be able to send you a copy if you need.

No pictures I'm afraid but two bad ones and one that proves PPE doesn't always work. 1. Dismantling a large Ash in high winds, wind whipped the branch around and slammed it into my leg mushing the muscle from waste to ankle. 2. Had an eight foot chunk of wood thrown from 60 feet out of a bucket on an EPV. The guy gave no warning he was about to throw and I took the full brunt on the scone. Shattered the helmet but luckily not my head. 3. Undercutting a hung branch up a tree, misjusdged the direction of fall and the branch landed on the saw pushing it into my leg. Went straight through the chainsaw pants I was wearing without even slowing and took a nice chunk out of my lower leg. I now buy my chainsaw gear from the UK cos it's of better quality.

The new family member, Ripley.

Yep, sure did. In a perverse way I'm looking forward to it just to see what it's like. A bit like when you get a sore spot that you keep prodding because it hurts but it's nice.....or am I just weird?

Just met up with David Bolstad who competed in this so won't give you the results. Fair to say it was a cracking comp that went down to the wire.

If I'd have tried to climb that skinny thing I'd just have bent it over to the floor. See, there's the bonus to being a light as lady.

I'm only a two man outfit at the best of times so I have a guy (41) who comes in and helps when I need him. I show him how to do the job once and I don't have to show him again. He works like a trojan, doesn't shirk the heavy stuff even when he can hardly walk and he's got enough of a brain to keep himself busy when I'm dumping chip, wood etc. He's also a bloody good bloke. I pay him about 90 quid for a full day which includes his travel/petrol allowance as I live about 50kms from him so he has to travel for some jobs. I've worked with and managed other guys who were on the same wage as him who didn't do half the work and had to be watched or have a rocket up their backsides every time my back was turned. Half of em expected top dollar to sit on their backsides in the truck for half the day and then bitched and moaned about the bosses fancy wheels. I more than happy to pay slightly over the odds for this guy as he'll work the whole day solid without a break or a complaint. Sometimes the groundies can be worth more than the climber in some instances, especially when you get down out of the tree and everything is done. All you have to do is get in the truck and drive home.

Brilliantly said Stephen. Too many people forget how much it costs to keep a business running both in monetary and mental stress. I can understand, however, if someone feels undervalued but from what I've seen on this forum, there is always someone else to take your place as an employee. I'm afraid, if you don't like it you have the choices; leave and set up on your own, leave and work for someone else, leave and start a new proffesion or just man up to your boss. If you're not prepared to do any of these then you have no cause for complaint. And belive me, what you earn is way better than what I earn running a business. My groundie earns more than I do but I don't complain I just get on with the next days work.