monkeybusiness

Is it a hollow shaft on the drawbar that it bolts to Mark? Could you take that hitch off and fit a new shaft inside bolted in place with the bolts that currently hold the hitch on? Then get a beefier towing head to fit to your slightly extended but smaller outside diameter tube if that makes sense (or get an adapter piece turned to step the size up/down)?

Who bills the customer? They need EL.

God I’m handsome!

I’ve just ordered the T9 105 REV forestal (from what I understand T9 is the new model number but is essentially the same machine l as John’s TE). I had a demo with a TE100 and my 6 tonne Takeuchi handled it fine so I went for the slightly wider rotor. Following a post of Eddie’s I’ve ordered it with a piston motor (extra £1300 so it better be good!). They haven’t built one of this model with that motor before and are having to redesign part of the housing apparently, so I’ve got to wait for it. I’ll report back when it’s here!...

A decent tirfor combined with digging tools and a lot of sweat will pull roots out all day every day, but is not efficient. Get a digger in if access will allow - even the smallest micro-digger will do a lot more work than an equivalently costed human being!

We’ve historically done loads of utility arb, the job’s been knackered in our area (Cheshire/Staffs border for both Scottish Power and WPD) by contracts being won on price by inexperienced and/or incompetent main contractors depressing the rates paid to the actual cutters to such an extent that in my view there hasn’t been any point fielding teams in this area for the last couple of years. I feel very sorry for the lads who rely on this work for their bread and butter... If you do jump in I’d just say that you need to be confident that whoever you work for is going to pay you (firms go bump for fun in this game). Make sure you can afford to operate on whatever payment terms they insist on, as you can end up waiting ages for your money. It’s a very fickle industry - my utmost advice would be to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket - work can dry up overnight which is ok if you have plenty of other stuff to drop onto but a bit of a disaster if that’s all you do (I’ve seen numerous companies run out of work and subsequently dump their lads with no notice). But it might be all pots of gold and free money in your neck of the woods - I don’t have any personal experience over there I’m afraid.

Just make sure you have enough cover for all of your tools (not just the ones stolen). The loss adjuster will potentially come out all nicey nicey and get you to list everything you own. If it adds up to more than your insurance cover they (as in any insurance company) can (and probably will) pro-rata your payout down by the percentage you are underinsured by.

I’d defo swap the hitch, the pressed steel ones are crap imo.

Speak to Lincmaster - they’ll have something strong. We run chains from the chippers and trailers to the vans (welded either end with a chain lock holding it all together) for extra security.

A genie lift is a heavy bit of kit, totally different to a tow behind/spiderlift etc.

If you are wearing a fall arrest system and fall out of a mewp there is a good chance the shock loading will pull it over (particularly if it is working near its limits) as they aren’t designed to have such loads imposed upon them. You need a harness that keeps you in the basket (which would also prevent you being ejected as in donkk’s scenario). Mewps are designed to carry a specific weight within a known working envelope. Those that are self-limiting (ie use sensors to limit their working envelopes, unlike those that are able to work in any physical position when loaded) often rely on pressure switches in their outriggers. Once weight comes off an outrigger further outreach is prevented. At this point of balance the machine is relatively unstable - it wouldn’t take much to topple one over. If you do a mewp test they are pretty clear about using a harness with a lanyard that keeps you within the basket.

A mewp harness should restrain you within the basket/prevent you climbing/falling out. Fall arrest is no good as the chances are it’ll pull the MEWP over onto you as it arrests your fall...

He owes you money for completed works. Providing there aren’t 2 sides to this (you’ve delivered substandard work etc) then don’t feel bad or worry about chasing your money - it’s yours, not his. If he’s ignoring you then the chances are he knows he’s in the wrong and will pay up as soon as the right pressure is applied. And if he’s the type of pillock who would subsequently spitefully defame you for chasing what’s owed, simply go around and break his legs (you know where he lives after all)!!! (Please note that I’m not a legal professional and my advice may lead to further issues if followed to the letter...).

You have more than enough ammo, you will get paid!

That’s exactly what Thomas Higgins do on your behalf - costs £10 and you get that back when you win. Solicitor’s letter and a professional firm sorting all the paperwork - no brainer IME. Life’s to short to stress out chasing money, use the pros!

I’d bet that’s the real reason your stress control isn’t working - if the magic box isn’t receiving an engine speed feed from the broken alternator it won’t allow the rollers to turn irrespective of the charge in the battery.

Thomas Higgins - google them, brilliant for exactly this.

Don’t touch it, you’ll end up with very curly hair.

She’s been cocked more times than John Wayne’s rifle, you’d need to strap a plank across your back so you didn’t fall in I’d imagine!

Has it got enough hydraulic oil in it?

I recently bought an Ifor Williams Q trailer for moving my sheep. They are a great design and modular so you can spec them how you like (roof/sides/ramps etc). Definitely worth a look IME.

Don’t know sorry - it’s a terrible design though!

Genuine question - what would it be used for after milling? Is there a market for poplar timber?

Some sort of hybrid. What’s the plans for the timber?

Sad to see this sort of thing. Saying that, if it wasn’t the other end of the country I’d have a few bids at work benches/racking etc, some decent lots there. Don’t forget to add 18% commission then 20% vat then the cost of collecting from Tavistock before getting too excited about any perceived bargains...