Mark Bolam
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Everything posted by Mark Bolam
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I was busy testing out my new CE compliant 'Aussie surfer look' coordinated PPE rig on that massive takedown. Unfortunately the 36" bar on the 66 wouldn't quite merge the back cuts, and that photo was taken whilst waiting for Jerry Beranek to fly in with his 090 sporting a 7' bar. Just then HSE rocked up. Been pulling pints ever since....
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Talk member Vduben working in Brissy at the mo. PM him and he would point you in the right direction with the AP. Bring us back about 10m will you fella!
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Typical day, letter of the law - I would fail. Just telling it how it is.
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Looks like someone has wedged a camera case into the tree causing extensive wounding. Tragic.
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Nasty. I'll PM Jonesie and see if he can get a discounted rate on all-over chainmail suits for all members immediately. Be safe.
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I don't usually have a 2nd climber in for a typical Mrs. Miggins cherry trim, but will get one in for bigger more gnarly jobs. More to split the climbing than rescue me - I'm dangerous when I'm knackered! I reckon if you sever an artery up a tree, the only one getting you down is yourself. Like Skyhuck has said, make sure your rope is long enough to get you down. So important, so obvious. For the record, I passed CS38 the same week I first ever climbed a tree with a rope and harness. Would I have been able to rescue someone 70ft up a skinny slippy tree? No chance. They would have starved to death before I got there! I personally believe every tree is different. Every job is different. Let's all bare that in mind and stay as safe as we can, make a profit when we can and enjoy it whilst doing so!
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Not sure mate. NZ brand, green . Great with shorts on the ground. I wouldn't climb in them. My arse isn't pretty enough! Ross will deny owning them!
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Scum! After shiny new gear after insurance payout. As above. Good luck mate.
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Save a few quid and let your forearms do the stress control on wet conifer by getting an 18/100G instead! TW's secret weapon that they don't like to advertise or talk about!
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Must admit I got a Stihl 210 (discontinued) as a bit of a joke on a trade in. Basically a 181 with a bigger badge. This has become my favourite saw for nearly everything! 12" bar, light, fast, not ever tempted to abuse it for ringing etc., Horses for courses mate. If you are knocking down 24" trees with any regularity, you need to spend some serious money. Unless you mean height... Joe's shout about Stihl MS 440/441 is a good 'un. Run mine 16-25" and they are always a happy saw.
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There's got to be a get rich quick scheme somewhere here Drew... Armor Prus - non CE approved but awesome. As used by some of the worlds top climbers for work and play. CE approved LOLER certed 5 1/2 month old burnt to buggery cord. Your choice. God I hate this country sometimes...
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You should be ashamed of youselves charging all that money for a few hours work... Top job fellas, nice and tidy. Let the hydraulics get the backache! Like it a lot. Rich - we better move back up north before these beggars cut all our trees down!
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Alright Cerne - without Googling, what kind of wood did Noah construct the Ark from? I said WITHOUT Googling! Obviously I got your 3. Ish.
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MEWPs defo have their place IMO (calm down Dave!) but they are no substitute for good cutting techniques / tree knowledge. In fact, they can sometimes bring additional hazards into certain jobs if used incorrectly. My view is - learn to use saw. Learn to climb. Learn to put that together. Bring a MEWP in if it is not safe to climb AND/OR it will make you more money. End of thread. Is it?
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Ssssshhhhh Matty, Skyhuck might hear you! Horrible spec, there are some loons out there. Hope you told them they would hardly grow back at all and would be much stronger now! Lucky one with the pull off rope mate, I love Lombardy's don't you?
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Drew, how much are the chainsaw chaps out there? Not the joined at the groin Stihl ones we have here. Tana Mahuta has some. Not approved here, but then neither is heat rash on my testicles...
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"Could you cut the stump below ground level?" Have done it (several times and several chains). Every time I think what my correct response should have been. And the second word is 'off'....
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When I was at Uni I asked a guest lecturer from HSE what the blokes who installed anchor points anchored into? He waffled a bit, got red in the face, said there was ALWAYS a safe way, then accused me of being a northern rabble rouser! Me! Anyway, a couple of years later he got called in to inspect an unsafe pile shaft. During this inspection he fell into it and was fatally mortally killed dead. Maybe he should have used an anchor point....
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Anyone out there tried 8mm Samson Ice Tail on 11mm Blaze with a VT/hitchclimber set up? Any feedback welcome. Just having a play around while I wait for a UK Armor Prus stockist. Can get Tana Mahuta to send some over, but it must be close to hitting these shores officially? Jonesie, Honeys etc. over to you....
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Quick update. Caught up some of the little buggers and sent them to the FERA lab in York (thanks for the addresses etc Dave) who have confirmed they are indeed Brown Tailed Moth. I still have the remains of my rash and it still itches. The client rang to say he was covered in it and has had to cancel his post wedding BBQ because his garden has become a no-go zone! He has promised me a stiff drink for my inconvenience - hurrah! Next time I see a job involving these little fellas I will be heading in the other direction sharpish.
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Tom I'm due an upgrade mate, and can have one of those. Have you uploaded/printed any pics yet? Any good?
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Great! Does this mean they will stop our fly tipping friends who do tree work solely from ladders as well? I won't hold my breath...
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Panasonic Lumix meant to be good. 10MP, Leica lens, very small and slim, pretty sure it has optical zoom. Mate in Singapore had one, and rated it more than his Canon Ixus (which is what I have, and still think is good but 5 years old now). Some good advice from Joe.
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Cheers my man. I'll look that one up. The old girl is fairly shot, but in the woodland setting will probably be allowed to bow out gracefully. Situated next to footpath, but it is a wood after all!
