monkeybusiness

And it does help if you know how to run the webbing through the ratchet correctly too...

Both straps are hooked to same anchor points if that makes sense? It’s actually easiest to hook the second strap into the first straps hooks I find.

They aren’t joined together lengthways, they are both joined back to back.

Winch until one ‘spool’ is full, then winch with the second, undo and shorten first, repeat...

That's where they grow, it's a pin oak.

Without seeing the site in person I think this is a bit of a sweeping statement (unless you do actually have personal experience of this very worksite). MEWPs are great, but they aren't the right tool for every job. There might not be the access for one. The ground conditions might not be suitable to set one up. There might be restrictions in place regarding their use because of the proximity to the overhead network. From the vid, the tree looks perfectly climbable. I'm going to assume there is a decent clear drop zone (from the fact the guy is going for a big fell), so no rigging required. For all we know the management team have sent out a trained, competent workforce with the correct kit to undertake what appears to be a relatively straight forward removal from a rope and harness. You may be correct that the management are at fault, but if the climber is trained and deemed competent by a recognised awarding body, and he hasn't been forced to do what he did then I can't really see the blame lying with anybody other than the climber (with the possible exception of a team leader if there was one on site more senior than the cutter himself - they should have instructed a different approach IMO).

What is Predator’s servicing intervals/schedule for the air filter, and have you followed it? And did they fit the new engines? If so I’d try speaking to them personally.

I got a month ban for swearing a couple of years ago - I guess the moderators’ are a bit more lenient nowadays!

Are you going to do much road work with it? You could ballast the wheels with water too.

Get it done by/with someone experienced and learn from them would be my advice.

From what I can glean from that it appears to be an OCS (ie Fountains) safety bulletin, but it also seems to suggest the accident isn’t related to their company/operations (it just happens to be alongside National Grid infrastructure). The text makes reference to another (unshown) pic of one of OCS’s operatives with 3 points of attachment using an electric saw. I don’t personally take from that that anyone has insisted on those being the rules that must be adhered to. To be honest, an electric chainsaw would be more than adequate for the bulk of Fountains Grid work if it is anything like it used to be, as they only ever tickled as little epicormic as possible as infrequently as they could get away with...

I’d be interested to read the report - got a link?

Ratterdale terrier - just the job!

Fair enough - I'm surprised that the FC are absolved of any responsibility though. (Out of interest, does anyone know of any contractors that have ever been prosecuted for felling TPO'd trees when instructed to undertake forestry works with a felling licence in place?) I still reckon all of the boxes will have been ticked in this instance personally. The FC and the RSPB are both apparently involved on an obviously contentious site that has significant amenity value and neighbours with the financial means to involve the legal process. I've seen a number of woodlands felled by various quangos in order to restore an historically previous version of the current landscape, much to the chagrin of immediate neighbours. It is always above board (on paper at least).

If they have a felling licence (which I'd imagine they do, otherwise I'm pretty sure the tabloids would be shouting even more loudly about it) then it isn't a moot point - they have done nothing wrong and the neighbours' views (in both senses of the word) are irrelevant. Do the FC not check for TPOs when issuing licences? Surely they have a duty of care to do so?

I don’t see a problem personally. The trees appear to belong to the golf course, they appear to have the relevant permissions in place - what’s it got to do with the neighbours?

I did NPORS as needed a ticket to work on a client’s machine/site. The card even lists tiltrotator with grab, and hydraulic quick hitch awareness. To be fair the assessor put me through my paces (on my machine) but it was only a day and he assessed me on a load of other kit too. It is all a load of bollocks though - another guy I know (with no experience) got the same card as me from another NPORS assessor and filled my place when I went on holiday. I’m pretty sure he didn’t have an assessment.....

Horrible video. Wouldn’t surprise me if the method statement insisted on a dismantle as deemed less risk to the network than a fell. They have technically gone for a dismantle... The climber unfortunately appears either to be rushing/lazy/inexperienced/scared of heights (or a combination of the above). In fairness, there could be a gob, and he is out of the way of the initial barber’s chair. From the vid the stem’s lean doesn’t look massive - a committed fast backcut with a sharp saw looks like it should work, but a better choice of cut would obviously be prudent. I wish him a speedy recovery - very lucky if he’s survived that at all! Hopefully someone will watch this and think twice before making the same mistake.

All the old electricity board Land rovers seemed to be on BFG mud terrains - they were largely plated at 3500kg so the tyres must be rated for that sort of load (I would hope!)

Twelvty

It’s charged on labour only - divide your bill into plant hire/fuel/travel etc if you want to reduce what they hold back.

Had to drag a mate’s stuck 16 tonne digger out of some running sand - it made the Deutz sit up a bit!

The whole planning process isn’t fit for purpose imo. How many speculative sites get clear-felled before any surveys take place? I’d bet BS5837 has been responsible for more tree felling than tree retention if all things are considered...

A mate has a Kelfri which was incredible value for money, definitely worth a look. His also has a hydraulic winch on the crane which is a great option, particularly for smaller cranes.

New splined boss welded onto the roller. Greenmech supply them, you’ll want a decent fabricator to knock it up though as it needs centralising.