Mark Bolam

That’s brilliant mate, all makes sense now. 👍

Get them to price it mate.

Well I’m glad this thread has turned positive for Skyland then. They’ve helped me out unbelievably over the last few years with saws and kit. It’s refreshing to deal with pros who have done the job themselves.

Apology accepted John. I’ll pass it on to Skyland next time I deal with them.

For anyone who has had the patience to read this sad diatribe and is wondering what the craic is, here’s how it really is. Skyland are the best arb company I have ever dealt with. I go back to to the days of catalogues, dealing with the lovely Penny at A&F, Charterhouse Richmond etc. Jonesies are great, Honeys are great, and Gustharts are fantastic, but Skyland’s are my go-to now simply because of their customer service. I am in no way connected to the company, but I won’t stand back and hear them trashed like this. Problems happen Jonn, you always come across as quite a reasonable guy, there are always solutions. Mark, Barry and Chris are pretty approachable guys, they’re just not salesmen. Mark and Barry worked at the hard end of arb climbing for years, they aren’t some ponces who set up a successful arb shop with Daddy’s money. Just be careful who you have a pop at on a public forum John.

Why do you say that Neil? You are normally a sensible person on here. My initial response would be to tell the insurance company to provide evidence of damage, just as RC has said above. I will bare my arse in Burtons if they come up with any. They won’t. It’s a real shame you have already pollarded a tree like like this, but possibly a realistic outcome in an urban environment. 150 yr old oak v piss poor constructed garage? They will never be good neighbours.

That could just muddy the waters Dan. Retired Climber covered the whole thread in his first post.

That’s my plan mate! Seriously, if anyone in Tom’s area has a decent sized takedown coming up these machines can make a huge difference. Not just loading, the amount of time saved on dragging brush is golden. Access and terrain permitting, obviously. Good luck with it mate.

Smart looking machine Tom. I like the chequer plate front guard, that’s a good shout. I’ve come close to dinging mine a few times!

It’s a doddle with the Stihl 2 in 1 sharpener mate. The best combo we have found is the 2511 with the Stihl 150 bar and chain, 1/4” pitch.

Realistically you’re going to have to pay someone to fell it.

I’ll take it for what it is, victory.

Sorry Con, you know what I meant. Winner was indeed the scrappiest goal ever! I’ll take it all night long though!

Get in girls! A poor game I thought, but a sublime chip for the winner. Anyone who knows football will applaud a quality finish like that. I’d have blasted it low and hard. Mick?

You’ve seen me climb?

Danny Mac is as good a climber as I’ve worked with, and we pissed that ancient oak repollard the other week with a 21m tracked MEWP with a good owner/operator/tree guy. 2 day tree climbing. Like Joe says though, sometimes you’re just putting something very expensive in the drop zone. Not the be all and end all, but certainly a very, very useful tool on the right job. We are currently looking at cheapo introductory machines like towable Niftys. A lot of fuckonery on our jobs seems to be on lower limbs and BT lines. When you get to my age chogging stems from a basket is also a dream. Like you said earlier Mick, just a case of working differently sometimes.

If there are trees in the way you can just cut them down. Idiot.

He should have been a politician….

Why would you need to shorten the chassis?

I understand the merde bit.

He clearly stated it was self lowered. Can’t you speak French?

Hopefully it will be like an Akimbo which works all the time.

Fair sized tree there Mick.

As above. Wait till autumn/winter then go for it.