Mark Bolam
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Everything posted by Mark Bolam
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I'm sick of wasting hours screwing together/unscrewing my ali pole set, so am thinking of getting a 6' hollow base and 3 x 6' hollow extensions with pruner/hook/silky blade adapter. Any comments on these would be appreciated e.g. do they really just clip together, do they bend crazily when using 4 poles trying to prune a 3/4" limb etc. Thanks.
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Thank God Thatcher didn't decide to close down the arb industry after that little gem!
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YOU BASTARDO'S! Iya justa trying tua maka leeving!........
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How are those Pines coming down Theocus? Sunshine and heavy showers in Kent. The kind that soak you before you can get back in the truck!
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New Series - Customers from Hell!
Mark Bolam replied to TimberCutterDartmoor's topic in General chat
You got paid mate, and on the same day you did the job. She does sound totally barking, but I'd rather have ten of her than one 'sane' customer who has 'lost' their cheque book! We'd be bored if they were all the same! Fair play for keeping your cool. -
Er... That wasn't a removal, was it? Unless the Yanks like really high stumps....
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One Darwin Award coming right up.....
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Thin road or not J, I guarantee on that first job the only rope used would have been the one I was climbing on!
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That was one chunky monkey Dave. Awesome. Although I prefer cutting them into wafer thin rings for about a fortnight myself.
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Horses for courses. I've been lucky enough to work with Scott Forrest aka Gumpy (British and NZ climbing champ) and would easily be prepared to pay someone with his ability £200+ (gross) per day when the occasion demanded it. Which would generally mean a big tree. The difference in productivity between the keen youngsters and the top dogs is massive. Not simply in climbing speed but also in speed of thought and decision making. I also feel that EVERYONE in our industry makes about 50% of what they deserve when compared to other less arduous, much less dangerous trades.
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Used my Petzl Sequoia for the first time today. Awkward takedown of horrible multi-stemmed 60' crack willow with everything lowered. Was a bit disappointed that I didn't notice my new harness at all, climbing from 8.45 - 4.30 with a few tea breaks. Then it dawned on me - I hadn't noticed it like you don't notice the ref in a good match - because it was brilliant! Light, comfy, quick to slip on and off, loads of bling loops and the leg loops and belt stayed put all day, unlike my ButterflyII which self-adjusted to the 25 stone climber position after a few minutes of every use. I can't rate it highly enough.
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When it get's really hot I generally slip into my Speedo's. I guarantee it improves your work positioning. Seriously, this summer I'll try and get on the deck as quick as possible then switch from Hiflex (which I think are at the thinner scale of Type C's) to shorts and semi-legal NZ chainsaw chaps. Easy for me as an owner though. If I was a balls-out contract climber I honestly don't know which choice I'd make. I find on those days when it does get really hot it's not possible to go hard all day anyway.
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Good choice John. Great investment. All of the above tips, and the frictionless gliding around motion may feel a bit weird at first. Retrieval is a bit dodgy if choked too tightly so give it a trial retrieve whilst setting it. Don't set it in a tight v then have to climb and retrieve it by hand on the wrong end of your rope on a Friday afternoon when all the lads sit in the truck bursting to go to the pub and refusing to help you 'cos you told them it would make everyone's life much easier.
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I bought the book and it's top notch. Totally agree about groundies - I rely on mine massively and don't agree with employing job seeker types just 'cos they are cheap. Could be the last mistake you make. It is a bit worrying that one of the co-authors was killed when a takedown went wrong!
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Superb book. It is odd that they keep saying Steve Sillett suffers from vertigo. Free climbing 70ft to leap into lowest epicormic of 300ft adjacent tree then free climb that? I wish I had vertigo. I'd be rich! Great contrast book to Jerry Beranek's 'High Climbers and Timber Fallers'.
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Defo Saturn. Think they have a deal on at the mo for TW150 blades. My last set from them seemed to wear better than the originals. Matty has a good point though. Avoid the real cheap stuff.
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Must admit I hate chinstraps, but do use it when I deem it necessary. Red Squirrel - that's a top effort with a Silky, mate. Hope you get it down for good price. Reckon one of the North West lads on here could help you out. I've heard one of them has got a crane.....
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Nasty looking knuckledusters there John. Didn't think you were the violent type....
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This last bit is the best thing about the whole system! Looks the nuts when you get back up a 40 foot pole in seconds!
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Quoting work for friends (or friends of friends)
Mark Bolam replied to Hollands's topic in General chat
Tough one especially for really close mates, 'cos you've normally got to pay a groundie at least. Think it's best to quote your normal price. At least they know they'll get a decent job, not ripped off and a decent tidy up. If they don't like your price, move on. -
Matty has just said everything I could about the subject.
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Go to Oz. Observe trees living in harmony with buildings. Then try and talk to an insurance company over here. AAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH! .
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That am a fact! Someone must have it somewhere. Copyright / Grassing laws don't apply on Arbtalk, remember...
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Seriously though. I am a professional. But what if I get totally larupped and behave like a student? It's a tough one.
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Graham- thanks mate. Are you a fan of BB's work? Everyone - STOP - once in a day. Look around. That's why we do this job.
