monkeybusiness

As I said, my problem isn't with the refresher training itself. It's the amount of time the training takes that is wrong in many cases (i have no doubt that some operatives need more refreshing than others - I don't agree with painting all with the same brush). Evidence of ongoing training/assessment is obviously highly important for an employer - the problem is that it is a one size fits all process that is way too cumbersome and has undoubtably been driven by the training providers as their (profitable) answer to the inevitable hse question.

I don't have a problem with refresher training, my gripe is with the amount of time the op is being forced to spend doing it. Surely a basic assessment by a competent person would quickly determine how much was necessary. Every training course I've ever been on wastes massive amounts of time on site inductions (fire drills/exits), comfort breaks, tea breaks, lunch breaks, and then finish early to avoid the traffic etc. When a working man has to lose 3 days pay to pay lip service to a training provider to tick a hse box I think there is something wrong. So my answer to your question is yes, I believe the problem lies with the training providers as they are promoting their over the top courses to companies who subsequently insist upon them to tick the hse box. The process is cumbersome and in need of sensible streamlining imo.

I've given it too much bold and don't know how to turn it off, please don't judge me.

3 days is the only p##s take here - if you're self employed then you are effectively a business and as a result you need to cover the costs required to deliver your product (your labour) to your customer. If the product you are supplying doesn't meet their requirements (ie you haven't had the refresher training that they insist upon) then they can easily take their business elsewhere. Where this is all wrong (and the blame for this has to lie at the door of the training/assessment providers) is that you have to take a 3 DAYcourse to prove that you are capable of performing your daily tasks. Surely this can/should/must be streamlined somehow. If an assessor comes out for a day, and he knows the job (which to be honest may not be a given) he should be able to determine if you are safe and competent or not within that day. If he isn't happy, he could by all means insist upon some further training; otherwise sign the candidate off as competent and away everybody goes to earn some dosh.

Sounds like you've made your mind up then. Get your hand in your pocket, get it bought and let us know how you get on.

A friend operates an off road site in some woodland covered by a woodland TPO (in effect since the 1950s). The woodland is growing on an old mining slag heap and is largely populated with birch, sycamore and goat willow, but is also home to some mature (even veteran?) beech trees. The land is privately owned, but is easily accessible to 4x4 vehicles and has subsequently been used (unofficially by trespassers) as an off road playground since 2000 (possibly earlier). As a result, it is criss crossed with well used tracks (down to the shale below). The majority of these tracks are root free, but there are several that have damaged tree roots exposed (they have obviously been exposed/damaged over a number of years). My friend has operated a pay and play off road business at the site since 2006 (once a month, sticking to the existing tracks), with permission from the land owner. There appears to be politics at play within the local authority, but the long and the short of it is that they are now forcing my friend to stop operating as a result of the existing TPO and evidential root damage. Does the LA have grounds to stop the current/historic use of this land as a result of the TPO? No trees have been wilfully damaged - the only evidence of damage to any trees is to roots growing across obviously well used tracks. Your thoughts would be welcomed!

That is my machine in the photo, but the ad is legit. He is actually selling a different model and has re-used the photo of my machine for some reason (I bought mine from him originally). Thank you so much for the heads up - maybe next time there will be cash coming your way!

Mach 1.24 - boom!!!

Get a Halfords trade card (tell them you are a self employed mechanic) and buy one of their own brand or Bosch batteries. They come with 3 year warranties, and replace them with no quibbles. And they are super cheap if you get the trade card. Optima are very very good, but they won't give you a new battery 3 years down the line...

Please can I come?

A couple of months after my Greenmech got nicked in January a friend had a call off the police informing him that they'd recovered his 6'' Entec during a raid on a landscaping company - it had been stolen 5 years previously! It was only 10 miles down the road, had the landscaper's logo and number on it, but otherwise was as-taken (serial numbers in place etc). I have had reports of various Greenmech machines being offered for sale/seen being towed behind 'dodgy' looking vehicles around Whitchurch (where mine was stolen from). There is a possibility it may still be in the area - I believe most stolen machines are quickly exported either to Ireland or Eastern Europe however. Incidentally - if anyone hears of a Greenmech 1928 for sale that they believe may be not 100% legit please PM me - I am still offering £1000 for information that leads me back to my machine.

That's unbelievable and amazing and terrifying all rolled into one!

If you have space on a future tour I'd love to come along for a nosey - it looks fascinating! I particularly like the numberplate attached to the toolbox/filing cabinet behind the chap with the gas axe...

Can you post a link please?

Don't rule out a Greenmech 1928 either.

Don't rule out a Greenmech 1928 either.

Having read this thread I have to say how jealous I am at your guided tour of the Greenmech factory. I thought missing the APF was a blow... I have run Greenmech machines for a number of years and agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment of this thread - they are a fantastic company to deal with, and cant't do enough to support their end users. And they are BRITISH!!! Dean - surely it is time to weigh in that big American lump taking up space in your shed and replace it with a green marvel of British ingenuity... You wouldn't have too sharpen the blades after every outing either!

Having read this thread I have to say how jealous I am at your guided tour of the Greenmech factory. I thought missing the APF was a blow... I have run Greenmech machines for a number of years and agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment of this thread - they are a fantastic company to deal with, and cant't do enough to support their end users. And they are BRITISH!!! Dean - surely it is time to weigh in that big American lump taking up space in your shed and replace it with a green marvel of British ingenuity... You wouldn't have too sharpen the blades after every outing either!

People may have had a look at the thread hoping for some banter (as a result of the vague title) but it turned out to be nothing more than a daft question? Just a thought...

People may have had a look at the thread hoping for some banter (as a result of the vague title) but it turned out to be nothing more than a daft question? Just a thought...

How things change - Tilhill supplying staff for Fountains!

ms200t please (x10)

From what I've seen/heard/been told, this info is spot on. The brand new GM150 uses the flywheel/feed roller/hopper design of the quadchip, but doesn't include the turntable, and packages it up in-line on the chassis (more like the TW150). I would imagine it will subsequently compete favourably on price, and will benefit from a much bigger letterbox feed than the TW, along with proper bearings. I've got a feeling that this machine will be the one that really steals Timberwolf's thunder...

Great idea, or even just heavily reduce? They are supporting their current loading with the cracks - why not 50% reduce the relevant limbs (Oak will fire up from almost anything so don't be put off by poor choice of points to reduce to - 'pollard' necessary limbs/branches if needs be). If you can avoid pruning back to the stem/trunk then do so, but in reality a healthy Oak will recover from whatever you choose to do to it. Any rot that sets in and de-stabilises a currently healthy tree will certainly not be a problem of our generation!