monkeybusiness

Heat, a bigger bar and don't use cheap sockets. A decent socket shouldn't break before the bolt head snaps off. If the bolts snap then drill them out and start again.

Why didn't you check the serial number before purchase? I can only think of one reason that a machine wouldn't carry a serial number...

Speak to Engines Plus if you are looking for a new engine, they are the importers. The engines are Isuzu 4le1 or 4le2 - both will fit. They are also used in some jcb and other tracked excavators and a number of generators if you are looking for second hand.

Considerably cheaper than £3/l - closer to £1.

There is no problem using fresh clean engine oil as chain lube - all mineral oils (engine, gearbox, chain etc) are manufactured from the same 'base' oil. From a health and environment perspective it is no different to running any other mineral based chain lube. Thinning with paraffin seems very strange though. I have run saws on engine oil in the past, as it has been cheaper to buy good quality 15w40 from Europarts than chain oil from just about anywhere, even when buying in bulk (ie 600l plus at a time). I can only imagine that it either comes down to supply and demand, or profiteering on the part of the chain oil producers/retailers. However, I recently bought a pallet of chain oil from Ryeoils (on here) and it was both good value when compared to engine oil and good quality. Tesco veg oil is ok when necessary, but I have found that big bars don't seem to like it.

I've got a KTS from ryetec and am very pleased with it.

Be careful towing the gm with the hopper folded - they can be a bit top heavy and prone to tipping. I would only fold it up for storage personally. Great chippers though!

Perfecto! Great idea IMO. Metal detector is all that is required, and then make sure chipper operators have metal impregnated gloves (the steel toecaps on the boots will sort out the other end). I think this is a very good idea!

Cheers chaps - I'll make some calls tomorrow!

Getting them back end is no problem, neither is planting/staking. I just need them now!

Alternatives aren't going to work very well in this situation, to change from current would require a major landscape redesign unfortunately. I need decent sized trees for instant impact, hence the query as I am struggling to source any. I know they will be expensive...

Hi - I'm struggling to source a couple of largish (3.5m plus) container grown conifers to replace a pair of dead lawsons cypress we are pulling out next week. Ideally the replacements would also be lawsons as they are part of a group but the client is also open to something golden coloured if straightforward lawsons are unavailable. They need to be bushy though! Any ideas of suppliers boys and girls?

Paolo Bavaresco told me about using eyebolts in that application many moons ago, and I used it once with great success zip lining big awkward rings off a tree with no drop zone. I inserted the eyebolts through the bark on opposite sides of the ring so that when slung the loading was shear across the bolts rather than relying just on the threads holding. I found some great bolts designed to self tap into brick, but they needed a pilot hole using a drill first. Really effective technique on the right job, great video!

I think I've seen the prototype Pete is on about and it looked a beast!

Dig out the soil (carefully!) to the original ground level, radially air spade (like spokes of a wheel) the affected root system, back fill with a good mulch. Or fell them and sell the logs!

Am I right in thinking you can get an l200 double cab with an extra long body?

I've had a Dyna for 10 years /135k miles and it has had a HARD life. Seems to like it though - it keeps on trucking! It is better at towing than any land rover I've driven (though isn't legally allowed to tow as much). It has a steel tool box behind the cab and a 5 m3 body, up rated springs and big mud terrain tyres. Before now it has weighed 5.5 tonnes on a weigh bridge but looked and drove fine (obviously not on public roads). You wouldn't believe the steering lock, it can get into really tight spaces easily, and the mud terrains improved its cross country ability. It obviously won't go where a 4x4 will but it gets a lot further than similarly shod ivecos. However, I doubt I'd buy another one largely because the cab is tiny. The Nissan and Mitsubishi equivalents have full width cabs and look a much better option IMO. Also, Toyota reliability isn't what everyone makes out and parts are expensive (with little after market alternative choice). I have had problems with just about everything electrical - windows, heater blower, EDU (me neither, but it cost a grand!), and the fuel pump packed up out of warranty which was another grand! Whole life costs have been good though - clutches are a cheap job as there isn't much labour involved, and the major mechanicals are all solid hard wearing items. Drive one and see what you think - it is a very different animal to the Landy.

Man up and get the wire brush out! It'll love it!

I've bought a load of Rye Oil chain oil (the guy is a member on here). It is real old school thick stuff, sticks like xxxx to a blanket. Good value too - far and away the best value oil I could find.

I was told (but I am not 100% if it is correct) that the dealers do a saw re-set by leaving the saw ticking over for 5 mins or so. This is the first corrective measure they take on the Stihl autotunes - if someone could confirm or deny this I would be interested to hear as we have a couple of 362c that have a habit of stalling.

You might get a machine that is 3 feet wide, but you need a good access straight run up either side as they are long and don't turn round tight corners very well.

Open the top of the flywheel housing and look up the chute from below - there should be a plate following the round contour of the housing that partially closes the exit hole. This plate should be approx. as wide as the flywheel, and prevents large unchipped pieces passing around the edge of the flywheel directly up the exit chute (causing blockages). These plates can get broken off if a foreign object has gone through the machine.

Rye oil is very good - I bought a load and it sticks like xxxx to a blanket! Good price too!

And make sure you build a decent table around the splitter - it is a pain in the backside bending down to pick up bits that drop off but still need splitting...

Yeah, big spades required I reckon!