Rupe

I'm off to greece now. See you all in a week or so!!

Thanks. I'm too scared to weigh it!! I know for a fact that it weighs less than the old one, even with the tool box on it. But I don't know for sure what it weighs yet. I will weigh it one day, promise. It was 2020kgs with the tipper on and no chip box. I know the steel for the chip box was about 150kgs worth (4 sheets at 35kgs each, plus a bit) but I lost count after that with the roof and side panels but they can't be much.

We didn't have trouble in the old truck with drivign off with the side down but now with the tool box added it might be a good idea to do as you suggest. I'll look into it.

I'll get over it eventually!!

LOL. Like that one!! Not much money went in to it but far too much time! I guess a bit of my OCD tendancies made me see it through to the end.

The vice is in a seperate compartment to the woodchips/logs etc so it can't get ripped off. I put it right at the end so we still had use of the compartment for storage, you can just get saw in there with engine at the rear but it has to sit on the chains. Works ok, we had it like that on the old truck and it was fine.

Lets not get bogged down by insurance here too! Can we just stick to takign the p*** out of my "polished Turd" (c. SWB 2009) or telling me how nice it is, either way I don't mind!

As long as you've not modded the performance or anythign MOT able, or added bullbars then it should be ok. I don't know, but I've been driving chip truck with homemade chip boxes on for years and never worried about it. If they ask me if its modded, I'll say no other than that it tips. Th eoriginal vehicle may have been registered as a drop side but that wasn't specific enough to say if it had the tool box on there or not, so I'll not mention that I added that bit. It didn't tip, now it does. End of. I hope!

Good question, and I don't know! The vehicle is registered as a dropside so that needs changign for a start. I was just planning on changing it to a tipper and leaving it at that!

Thank you. Some more pics form todays finishing off! I had some Aluminium spare from the roof so I've used to fill in the gaps on the sides. ALL pretty much done now, just needs sign writign and some more storage under the tip bed.

Sure, I'm all for it for tree work companies. I would still like to hear what Eastwater's work plans are, then mayeb we can help advise more specifically to her needs. If theres a chance that the plan is to work part time for other companies whilst gainign experience then you all know what I'm going to say about insurance?!

I'm trying really hard to restrain myself! Masterh, you are correct though, if you are contracted through (genuine) sub contract or direct contract then you do need insurance. But if your are workign with someone else a sself employed then of course you don't. Even so,if the work you are doign through direct contract is cuttign down small trees in a back garden then you need to think of the likelyhood of claiming on insurance for public liability. Most excess' are 700-1000 pounds ish. You have to do a bit of damage to claim more than that. In 17 yrs I've broken roofs,guttering, gate posts, green houses and set fire to cars (minor damage) and some hedgerows. Oh and patios, fences, walls and kids climbing frames. Not to mention phone lines and caused soem power cuts!! Never have I or any company I'm working for had to claim from insurance becasue the damage casued was never more than the excess. Now that I work over roads I think the insurance is worth it, but I still intend to never claim. I have insurance to get me contracts and help me compete with others, as it is important to have these days. In someones back garden, where the public is excluded, it is not necessary to have PL insurance. This is, as ever, my opinion only!!

Eastwater, what stage are you at with your career? Am I right in thinking you just have a couple of NPTC's at the moment. What sort of work are you doing? What is it your hoping to insure yourself against?

When I've used "stabablisers" or guy ropes, I've been luck enough to have other trees to tie them to which is more favorable than ground anchors. In this case I would have thought there were other trees available to use.

Yeah cool. I'm just being careful! It did all get a bit out of hand!

For the record - No one is accusing anyone of being dishonest.

They go over spkies quite well and are very handy. I use PAntin, but I'm sure the CMI's would fit aswell.

Sorry Stevie you beat me to it, so my post does not relate to yours. I agree with you too though, we can't do it all.

I agree with all of the above. Sub-contracting out work is fine. And companies need to do this to expand and grow. A self employed groundie on a day rate is not a sub-contractor. (The word subbie is misused regularly) and they do not need PLI. I stand by what I've been sayign that wanting a self employed person to come in for 8 hrs onsite per day with PLI and remove all of soemoene elses waste AND do groundie work for them is asking rather lot. If the company in this instance finds someone then good for them. I have no problem with what anyone else does but I have an opinion thats worth discussing. I am suggesting that this thread be moved to off topic so that the original poster can make a new request for help, and non members won't be put off by my rantings. It was never an intention to dis credit an individual for their working methods, each to there own.

And, I didn't say you WERE a slave driver. I just said that it made you look like a slave driver. Thats why I posted what I did. Don't take it so personally. I have no probelem with what anybody does around my area, I do my own thing and am good terms with most others, I'm far more laid back than you would think. The internet is a good place for good rant though, no harm done. I thought we were in agreement that it raised some good points for discussion?

Now I think you rmisinterpreting my posts. I am far from miserable, I'm not telling anyone else what to do, I am just having an opinion and explaining my position.

FWIW I am in a similar position. The majority of my clients have acres of land and they keep everything, even useless stuff which is definatly "waste". I have little use for a yard (I have one but its 20 miles from my base and only used for logs) I have a waste carriers license and access to every council allotment in the area they eat woodchips for breakfast! I have a chip truck (of sorts, its an LDV) and that is to chip into so I can tip it out neatly in a different place. Often I chip onto a pile using a quad to get the chipper into place. The only difference is anybody I get in to help who is self employed is covered by my insurance becasue I am the one who has taken on the job and I have done the initial site risk assessment. No one coming in for the day can know what to expect so how can they pre arrange any safety requirements? Safety is your responsibilty so your PI covers all. Unless you are truely subcontracting. Also, I am extremely grateful to those who help and I thank them all personally and regularly. I am under no illusion that I am helping them out. It doesn't work that way, as a boss you have to thank those that help you. I've worked for many that almost (some actually did) expect me to thank them at the end of the day/week for giving me work. That is no way to manage a business IMO. I think this forum is good for chat and banter, but don't forget that its also a reference point to many to learn about the business. I'm kean to ensure that poeple, esp/ newbies, aren't taken advantage of. To that end I think its important to let them know that they don't need PLI in order to work self employed for someone. Thats wrong and its the insurance companies that benifit, no one else. If I've ruined your advert for a skip on wheels, than I apologise, no personal attack intended, but the issues raised are valid IMO. A request for someone to help with movign stuff now and then would be positivley recieved I'm sure, but the initial requirements of 8 hrs, PLI. WC and be grateful etc etc. just made you look like a slave driver. In your second post I would rather be able to give a lower price and also give someone some work too Your not "giving" them work, they would be giving you time and use of their equipment that you don't have. That's somethign to appreciate not to take advantage of. (again IMO only)

I seriously don't. I'm highlighting the case of companies getting others to do what they can't, but I have no problem with what you do, and nor do I have any right to have a problem with it. I agree with you on the free market thing, whatever works for you. I'm not sitting here gettign upset, stressed or any of those things, and I don't think you need to be bothered by anything I say, I just like a good rant now and then. The PLI issue is my only real gripe and that has been going on for some time and is not directed at you personally. I don't think describing a transit as a skip on wheels will make transit owners rush to help you out, but thats up to you. If I've upset the apple cart that much I'll bow out but I think I've opened up some good conversation. I'm not alone in my opinions but many don't agree also, thats a good debate then?

Are you after someone on day rate or as a subcontractor? You can't have both? As stated by Lee earlier, a day rate self employed person does not need PLI. I just think your asking a lot. Someone could come along with a truck and remove your waste but to be there all day helping you with groundie work is a big request especially as you imply that you would be doing someone a favour by giving them the work. I think you should be extremely grateful to whoever helps you out with this. I have not accused you of doing anything wrong or illegal so don't point accusations at me. I'm entitled to throw toys etc. thats what a forum is for sometimes. I actually don't care what other people get up to, doesn't mean I'm not goign to stick my oar in every now and then. The PLI thing is an issue that needs resolving, I think there is another thread on it soemwhere, not sure how its going though. I'm saving up for a bigger horse!

Andy I agree with you. Bringing in second person to do this part of the job means another person who needs to make a profit and this could make the whole thing unfeasable. I think with Petes set up its a bit different cos theres huge savings to be had by not hand balling stuff onto many truck loads so everyone is a winner. Pete has set himself up to provide this service.