monkeybusiness

I've just seen the website - they have a banner ad at the top of the page (I hadn't noticed it when I posted earlier). It looks a good machine, well thought out and that warranty is excellent! The trailed machine looks heavy for a 6 inch machine though - you are into trailer test/licence issues here. I'm sure the extra weight is accounted for with stronger build than a lot of the old school 6" machines but if you go over 750 kgs you may as well step up to a 7.5-8" machine IMO.

How do they compare price-wise? The Forst is getting rave reviews from everyone who uses it but from what I can gather from Arbtalk it isn't designed to work on embankments, isn't designed to work on a trailer, doesn't have a turntable, and is a bit of an unknown quantity (there isn't even any info online about them). The Greenmech has been around for long enough for any potential teething problems to have been rectified, and has a long standing well respected British manufacturer behind it offering (from my personal experience) unparalleled backup should the need arise. I like the idea of the Forst but (money not withstanding) I would think the Quadtrak appears a better all rounder. As I said, I don't know how they compare price wise (the 2nd hand Quadchip looks like a bargain though!). I haven't personally used either machine however, but have seen a couple of Quadtracks in action and they appear very good indeed.

They're a great firm, plain and simple. Always unbelievably helpful. And their machines are superb too!

For arb work I'd say the 361 - it'll pull a 20" bar all day no probs (as will the 362 to be fair, but that isn't as good a saw). If it's going to spent its life on a 15 - 18" bar in the woods the 560 is unbeatable, but if you want a groundsaw that can also be used up a tree to chog big lumps out you can throw a 24" bar on a 361 and it isn't going to break your balls mauling it about. Cue everyone whining about not putting anything bigger than 15" on a 60cc saw now... The last thing a climber needs is a bigger powerhead than necessary IMO.

If you're happy to up the weight you can tow (ie 750kg isn't an issue) don't buy anything until you've demo'd a 1928.

I'd get one from whoever offers the best warranty personally. It'll be the battery that lets it down in the end unless you drop it or run it over. We've had a few from Costco - probably not the best around but when they stop working there is never any quibble in swapping for a new one.

Is there any info available about these machines anywhere? Where are they made, what powers them, what do they weigh, what do they cost, what do they chip etc etc?

The tracked one must be electric - it has got a power lead! They look good - are there any stats available yet?

I had a similar nightmare with a loss adjusting firm when I got my chipper nicked (not insured through Arborisk by the way). From what I could understand the loss adjusters are independent companies who work for a number of insurance companies. I ended up threatening to go to the ombudsman - that sped things up a little.

PM sent. That barrel comes in at approx 1.80/litre (if i'm looking at the right barrel).

Chainsaw carvers love the stuff - stick this up in their forum I reckon!

The cjheapest chain oil I've found is Go Part approx £1.35 - £1.40 plus VAT but it is cheapest in 5l containers for some reason (seems bonkers!). If anyone can tell me where to buy it cheap (approx £1/litre is what I'm aiming for) in 205l drums (or even an IBC) I'd be interested to hear.

I run a 362 on s20 inch bars, they pull them fine. The 560 is a better saw generally but not as good as the 362 pulling bars over 18 inch imo.

Are there any pics of this machine anywhere? It sounds like an interesting bit of kit.

It could be an rpm problem - I'm sure some Timberwolfs will reverse the rollers at any revs (I assume the reverse electrohydraulic switching bypasses the stress control electronics). It would be my first check anyway, get it discounted before moving on to the electrics.

Gopart is occasionally talked down by some arb suppliers - I had a local chainsaw shop tell me the Gopart chain oil was rubbish and they've had loads of complaints about it. We have been using it exclusively in all our saws for the last 12 months (because it has been the cheapest oil available) and have had no issues at all - l can only imagine the profit margin is lower than other brands... I can't comment on the chains however, but I'd be surprised if they aren't made by one of the big manufacturers anyway (probably Oregon as they make chains for loads of other companies).

The single greatest post on this forum ever - you win!!! Great story and surely the ultimate arb boat IMO!

Just check it isn't your belts slipping so the flywheel hasn't got enough revs to kick the stress control in. Or there is a problem with your throttle cable not giving the engine enough revs.

Or get yourself a t-piece for your airline and use it as an additional reservior...

I doubt it - Stihl have never had a top handle competitor and it is unlikely they will in the near future. If Husky were anywhere near having this saw in the marketplace we would have seen it before now - it has been imminent for years! I've always been a big fan of Stihl until I picked up a 362 and a 201 (unfortunately forced upon the world by legislation). Husky have played an absolute blinder with the 560xp (which is the best saw I've ever used), but I can't see them delivering the promised top handle ever. We've all been spoiled with the 200T and I'd imagine Husky are doing all they can to better it. I picked up and ran up a 540T (no cutting unfortunately) and honestly thought it felt cheap and flimsy. I reckon Stihl have probably developed the best top handle you can currently bring to market with the 201. If it can be bettered Stihl probably have the newer version waiting in the wings to ruin Husky's day if they ever finally manage to offer their long term joke up for sale. I'd love it if I am proven wrong however!

If I were you I'd buy a real cheap tractor (you don't need good tyres/brakes/steering/cab/anything really!) that runs the PTO and then you open up a much wider choice of processor. You don't need a lot of power, you just want a cheap engine basically.

Don't forget the brakes/tyres etc on towed chippers. If you have a braked machine there is the need for regular adjustment if you do a lot of towing - dampers are dear if the machine is left banging into the tow vehicle and new shoes etc can add up once worn out.

A friend of mine had a chimney fire when the firefighters were on strike complaining about their almost perfect hugely oversubscribed jobs. The army attended in a green goddess and were apparently not allowed to access the top of the chimney due to health and safety reasons. They wanted to smash a hole through the chimney breast in an upstairs bedroom to access the fire but my friend refused to allow them, so they put some sort of bung in the bottom of the flue and pumped water up the chimney. Once the fire was out they released the bung and flooded the downstairs of his house with sooty water. I don't really know what the moral of this story is!

Me too - show me the bargains!

Ecoplugs can translocate the same as any other glyphosate based product (I believe). You won't avoid suckering but it will be drastically reduced if you remove as much root/stump as possible. If you allow for revisits to clear any suckers (quick job with a clearing saw) they will become less of a problem over time, particularly if there is to be new planting on the cleared area.