monkeybusiness

Buy one of these (get the smallest/cheapest bar/chain - the powerheads are all the same but have different model numbers) and because you then will have subsequently bought Makita batteries and charger get one of these (which are excellent!) I toyed with going down the Stihl/Husky route but their battery systems are expensive one-trick-ponies. Makita make just about every power tool you can think of run from this system, batteries are (relatively) cheap, and the kit is great!

I’m pretty sure this will be the short/medium term ‘answer’. Electric vehicles/batteries/storage infrastructure (treat each as the same) will be the norm to allow a buffer for electricity generation. The whole grid will work in both directions - when there’s demand parked cars will feed power back into the grid - during low demand/over-production everything will charge up. I really do find it incredible that tidal power isn’t being harnessed in a significant way though. It’s creation would unfortunately ruin a few localised ecosystems which is obviously massively unpopular. The longer term planetary benefits surely outweigh these issues - it is free, massive, predictable power that we don’t currently use in any way shape or form!!! Humans are fucking ridiculous!

Consider a Makita double 18v battery saw (not sure of the model number and too pissed to investigate now). Double battery charger and 4 batteries would be more than adequate for a chipper saw. Good bit of kit and not crazy money.

Looks a fantastic machine but the rusting-through respray really spoils it for me. Better either unpainted or done properly, that looks like someone has tried to hide something imo (which I’m sure isn’t the case as Ross/Sandhill Plant are very straight dealers). It is a superb package in our line of work though, but I’d be budgeting to get a load of panels repainted if buying.

Ace vid, great kit!

Not sure about the access on your Jensen but I give our chipper feed rollers a quick lick with a flap disk on a 4-1/2 inch battery grinder - makes a massive difference. It’s not a nice job and needs ear defenders as the feed hopper basically becomes a loud-haler that you are lying inside!

What was the outcome?

I’m blown away that dealers have enough saws available to chuck them out on demo for a week or two - these are relatively low value low profit items in reality. A few hours/a day demo fair enough, or give a saw to a potential big buyer (local authority etc) to try on extended terms so a few different operators can give feedback. 2 weeks demo to small outfits seems bonkers to me (different scenario with game-changing tech such as batteries, which is almost definitely manufacturer supported I’d imagine). Possibly Stihl will help the dealer network pushing this saw as I reckon they’ve got some market share to claw back from the 560/562 due to the 362 being a bit shit though...

I’ve never heard of a dealer loaning out a demo saw, certainly not for a couple of weeks. I can’t see what’s in it for the dealer personally - be interesting to hear how you get on getting your hands on one.

They are going to lend you a saw for a couple of weeks on the premise that you might buy one?! Or might you buy a large volume of them?

I’m sure the police will look into this as the evidence appears very strong (though I’ve been seriously disappointed by their lack of investigative efforts in the past, so who knows?!...). Last month I was pulled over by an ANPR camera equipped car on the M62 near Manchester - my vehicle had triggered an alert for the driver to stop me (incredible technology imo - the police car was travelling in the slow lane and I was passing in the fast lane in really heavy traffic). Apparently Thames Valley Police have put a marker on my truck as it was suspected in a theft from a construction site in Berkshire (we cover a large area but I’ve not been down there). I had a good chat with the officer and it turned out that on the date in question I was on holiday abroad - I have cctv of my pickup parked on the drive at home at the time, it didn’t turn a wheel for a fortnight. It would appear that some pikey has possibly cloned my number-plate and is using another white Navara for thieving purposes. That in itself isn’t really noteworthy - what I was impressed by was the fact that the police are looking into it (nationally and across forces).

My Merlo in the pic is hydrostatic, not sure about the bigger machines/rotos etc though.

I had to run this up the road yesterday and wouldn’t rush to make it a regular occurrence - the Merlo definitely isn’t designed for this type of work.

I’m not convinced any barrister should be referred to as a gentleman, the ones I have met are better described as something far ruder... Unfortunately they don’t have the same escalating cost issue as a layperson to negotiate their point, which often gives their argumentative persuasion free reign to prove themselves ‘righter’. Twats in general (in my opinion of course!)

Rate wise, if it was mine I don’t think it would leave the yard for less than £1k a day unless it would save us a load of work on a priced job.

Can it use its full working envelope as a mewp, or is it sensor-limited? What model/weight shear are you nailing on, and what headstock setup? Can you tow with it? Great if you can load what you cut straight into a big trailer! Great if not too - that’s a wonderful mewp range for tree work!

It’s a route I’ve been contemplating - I’ll be watching how you get on with interest! Significant investment but very versatile how you are setting it up - if you are able to keep it pretty busy then it’s a no brainer. Any idea what sort of weight of piece you’ll be able to shear at max radius?

Shitthebed - you are the winner!!!! Nice work sir!

What a knob-jockey. I hope that’s enough money to make him wince.

Have you got any round blades to try instead? I think there is a system to allow them to be fitted instead (that you may have with the chipper) - perhaps it’s been balanced with round blades as opposed to the square ones? @Jase hutch is your man for this - he is the main technical guru at Greenmech and knows literally every single thing there is to know about them. And is also a bloody decent guy (but is hopefully having some well deserved time off!).

Don’t think the Vw can tow 3.5 tonnes Pete. Get a Navara, they don’t break (and if they do they have 5 year/100000 mile warranty).

Wowsers, shows how observant I’m not!!! I didn’t look particularly closely and saw nothing of the soil/machine on the other side of the track. Doh!

Are you using a trencher on it?

About 17 years ago we had relatively recently moved in to a terraced house where the front door opened immediately into the living room. One dark Friday night there was a knock on the door - I opened it to a TV licence enforcer who could see (and no doubt hear in the street before I opened the door) Top of the Pops blaring out of our massive 32" old--school cathode tube telly... Difficult to swerve that one - bang--to-rights I think the term is!!!

I think the input from you and the fella with the eating disorder comes across as rude to be honest. Might just be the way you type though.