Taupotreeman

Happened upon this thread while doing some research. I have a MS200t with a heap of spares that runs pretty well for its age but need a back up saw. I can't really afford a new 201, don't particularly like the 540 which leaves the 193 (currently have a 192 with a carving bar which is awesome), a 150 or one of the other, seemingly lesser brands. The Echos are a coupla hundy less than the 193 soooooooo are they as good? I see them in the local safety shop and they always look a little cheaply made compared to the two main brands (yep, I know what I just said about being $200 less) but are they actually that?

I'm with you bro. We decided on our crew to keep it simple. My 2IC is was heavily into his SRT whereas, because I was climbing less, I wasn't. He was trying heaps of new stuff, enjoying experimenting etc and all power to him but then we all realised, if there was an accident, we had no idea what he was doing. We reduced it down to a couple of systems that worked well for him and we knew inside out. Now I'm practicing a little bit more with SRT I want to start on stuff I know with the simplest system.

Went to see a mental health worker yesterday just to get my head straight a little. She suggested playing it month by month or week by week even and just basically dumbing myself down. Really hard for me to do that but for the sake of my sanity....... Soooooo lots of thinking but it has made me get my A into G which is probably no bad thing. Currently trying to sort a website, re establishing connections with commercial clients, getting my H&S together for approved contractor applications and generally trying to drum up work. My Mind is working over time; one half telling me to jump ship now and the other half pulling on the reigns so I can get as much out of my employer as possible. A good friend of mine is also out trying to drum up work so now it's a waiting game to see what the bosses next move is and to get all my stuff in order. HR not the slightest bit interested either. They've always been toothless and to be honest, the CEO put my current manager in place so I don't think he's going to be one for listening. Also have to be careful not to burn too many bridges just in case there's a chance of contracting back to them. Long story short; it'll be a week by week thing from now on in. Should also say thanks for all the input. I was quite surprised just how prevalent this kind of thing is.

Little bit of kiwi music for you.

I pay something roughly equivalent here in NZ. Granted, I'm only part time but was roughly the same when I was full time. My monthly GST returns cost around $120-$140 and my year end invoice was $1200. For me, I equate it to one of my customers getting me in to do the tree work which frees them up to do stuff they are good at or want to do. I don't particularly (at least at this stage) want to be coming home and sorting out book work. Happy to sacrifice a little bit of coin and have the professionals do it so that the tax man isn't on my back. Peace of mind I suppose.

Cheers Goaty So, turns out HR would rather it be swept under the carpet so they don't have to deal with the issue. Even my H&S manager told me that once senior management get told something they don't want to hear it just gets completely ignored. Asked one of the other managers yesterday if he knew what was happening in regards to a replacement for my 2IC and apparently he is out of the loop. We have contractors coming in to price quite a few of the bigger jobs that my unit used to tackle. Obviously, when my 2IC leaves I can do nothing over 3m as my remaining groundy isn't a qualified rescue climber. Seems a bit of a waste of a good truck and 12inch chipper if all we can do is light pruning. Neither are arborists, good qualified ones at least, easy to come by so not sure if they intend to put a trainee on with me (which won't help us progress any) or just disband the unit. Nobody has asked for my input or thoughts. I'm just a mushroom it seems. Anyway, currently planning my exit strategy a little better than throwing a tantrum and handing in my notice but the more I realise the enjoyment has been totally removed from the job the more I figure that I need to move on to rediscover that enjoyment.

I'll get a confirmed price if it turns out any good but I'd imagine they'd be steep. Apparently I might be able to get them at trade.

No but she does work in a Ford racing team. One of the Gardeners at work. Can out swear the entire yard and regularly brings in a boil up for the employees. Good sort she is.

Let us know how you get on.

I use an MP3 with a pair of Yurbuds or Audio technica sport ear buds. My 2IC uses his phone blue toothed to cordless ear buds. Reckon they're both way better than those FM headphones.

I took my resignation in with me but it's still tucked into my diary. My best mate rang me and encouraged me to hold fire until A. HR had talked to me and B. I found out if the leaving of my 2 IC maybe shook them a little. I have a week and half's grace before I need to drop my resignation in (termination date of 13th November) to see how they approach me over that week and a half. If it's still the same BS at least I'll have had chance to lay a formal complaint with HR. And drum up so work of course.

Yeah wasn't sure about the short sleeves but It seems to be a kiwi thing like Singlets etc. it's free so it's gotta be worth a try and to be fair; sleeves tend to annoy me a bit. I reserve my judgement until tried.

just been given one of these on trial (now winter is over). I might be able to get them at a good price but not sure how they would measure up against the gear you can get in the UK. Will update after I have had a burn in it during a down pour or two.

I work with one. I think she has two or three mustangs and a Ford V8 ute.

Did exactly the same on mine. Took them to a boat builder who was able I fix them using a carbon fibre patch. Good as new and you wouldn't even notice. Find someone like that or who does Carbon fibre patching of any kind and they should be able to fix them up for you quite easily.

Even as a kiwi supporter, the Wallabies scare me a bit. They looked the goods when they trounced us earlier this year but a walloping in the return match eased the worries a little. They now seem to have ironed out the creases just in time for the big show. Mind you; we might have to deal with France first and that a whole other story.

I was going to suggest exchanging the wine etc for something like a hot lemon, honey and ginger drink as often the body craves the sweetness that wine provides almost as much as alcohol. Sounds like you have it sussed though so all is good.

Mick, you'll find as you get older, that happens regardless of the temperature unfortunately.

Fight fire with fire I say.

what Eggs said. I gave up the fight of doing what was right for the tree (when I was full time self employed) because keeping a roof above my head won out. I can advise the best course of action but if the customer, principle etc isn't interested i do as I'm told. Applies somewhat in my council role also as we have a fine line between doing whats right and keeping the rate payer happy. the argument can be draining.

can think of worse places to be and worse things to be doing on a day like that. great video.

Don't think the English media will be so quick to label the All Blacks chokers for a while. Pocock and Hooper make an awesome combo an I still reckon the wallabies will be the team to be afraid of. They have a habit of being able to turn it on for the one off games.

Eggs, I'm pretty sure you're right mate. I have a feeling I'm going to struggle to fight it unfortunately as I think it's coming from one level down from CEO. I've raised my concerns with H&S about what I feel is bullying (long time since that's happened to me) and the H&S manager has taken it to HR who want to meet with me. I can possibly raise a personal grievance but think with limited proof I'm pushing the proverbial up hill with a sharp stick which means I'm back to where I was but with a bigger target on my back. I'll make sure I fight for the last four weeks I'm there but don't hold out hope of it doing a whole lot of good.

Yes there is 10 Bears but unfortunately, it seems my manager, and her manager, have this kind of behaviour down to a fine art whereby it's very hard to actually pinpoint sufficient instances. No emails, one on one conversations or only in the presences of her direct manager so it's my word against theirs basically. I did some research and I think the word used for the behaviour is mobbing. It's a kind of phycological bullying. If it came from a man you can at least have a ding dong about it but coming from a woman it's quite hard. My HR dept. are renowned for being toothless but I do have a meeting with them. They were looking, at my request, at sending me to a stress management councillor but then I feel that tends to say it's me with the problem when clearly I don't believe it is. And yes, I do believe constructive dismissal is the desired outcome.