Simonsnr

Man my hips ache just from watching! Anyone else get that from prelonged time in spikes, or am I just showing my age? Fantstic Vid, cheers for uploading to youtube Angus, the more you can get that seen the better me thinks!

Awful job to price, couldn't even begin to think how to quote for that. Glad it went well!

All depends on how much you want/need the job. If you have plenty of work on then think of a good price and triple it, if you want/need the work, think of a good price,...............and triple it! I looked at a similar job a few weeks ago, and put on it what I thought it would cost, I am praying now it doesn't come in! Should have doubled on the price at least.

There are some clever sods out there! Must be a major headache to find two songs that actually fit well together. I can't imagine you can do it with any two songs, timing, key etc must have to be fairly close to make a start. Though technology has moved on alot since I was writing music, guess with the right equipment and time who knows? Nothing to do with the thread except 'Music', this is the band I was in a few years ago...may give you a laugh. [ame=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Isv7CiWtyPk]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Isv7CiWtyPk[/ame]

Thanks Garth for that, I'll get the owner to ask a few farmers about the use of their crop sprayers ?? Wonder if contamination with other chemicals would be a problem? If not, there is a vinyard near us, could ask them, great idea! Mmmmmm...would be nice to find a use for my gimp mask and leather chaps again, mustn't use the rubber suit though as the baby oil will attack the latex! On a more serious note though, I nearly mentioned the old trick of washing up liquid and water, always use to work for my mum on her roses. I'd heard that water rots aphids, and that is why they stay under the leaves when it is wet, I've always assumed that the washing up liquid in the water just reduced the water tension allowing the water to 'smother' the aphids rather than run off? Now THAT would be a cheap option! Not sure about going to boots and buying 20 bottles of baby oil, but could do tesco's and washing up liquid at a push, though still not sure if I have the guts to go to Tesco's.

I mentioned a few weeks ago of a 1km conifer hedge job I had coming up, started it on Monday, sore shoulders and slight back ache but with the easy lift harness, it hasn't been the 'hell' job that it was when I did it two years ago. Had a good run of it, and have managed to do all the sides, just the top to do now. (will post pics and video when finished) Anyhooo, there are massive pockets of aphid damage and in some places the aphids are still feeding and coming off in clouds when the trimmer disturbs them. How do you treat a hedge this big? Ladybirds and lace wings are out of the question, I'm thinking spraying is the only answer, but its ten foot high and two kms of sides! Any one had any experience of spraying such large areas, can anyone advise on what chemicals? My other concern is none of the staff at the garden, or indeed I have any 'spraying tickets', can you buy chemicals for spraying conifer aphids in 'bulk' with out a license? If the aphids are still present, then I'm guessing it should be sprayed now as well as in spring, though the owner seems to think he should wait till the new cycle in spring starts. I first noticed Conifer aphid damage 15 years ago on a job, was a rare sight back then, seems to becoming worse every year here in the south east, I'm guessing due to the mild winters? I've always assumed that, but don't all aphids produce live young, not eggs? I'm guessing that they don't all die off, so continue to breed through-out the winter albeit at a vastly reduced rate, and that their numbers pick up in spring as more young aphid appear? So does it make sense to spray now to try and beat the cycle before it gets going? Look forward to hearing your views on my many questions.

Tested the harness today...Not sure if this interests people or not, but I'll give you my input anyhooo. Quoted to do this in a day and a half, with the idea of climbing along to do the tops. Thought I'd give the harness a go, and managed to do it in a day, all from steps. So my guess is, it saved me half a day, and with no arm ache, and no scratches and holes in my legs from climbing about on the green blasted pin cushions. Got backache today, but nothing compared to how my shoulders would ache if I'd tried doing what I did without the harness. BRILLIANT for doing the top, the hedge was around 12' wide, and at a push managed to reach the lot (one years growth) Also very good for reaching the high sides, not overly impressive for doing low sides, probably easier to just use the shoulder strap for that. Found the harness comfortable, though ended up changing the stupid little clip that attaches to the trimmer within five minutes, far too small and fiddly. Apart from that VERY pleased indeed.

DON'T temp fate pablo, someone up there might think you WANT to cut your rope, 11 times lucky! What about pulling your rope out of the tree and forgetting to take the bowline out first, having a wonderful climb all the way back up the top to pull it out of that nice tight 'V' it's stuck in. Only ever did it once. If you don't learn from your mistakes, then there's no point in making them!

"I see a man and a cat in a tree ....Pee....Eye...Ess...Esss....Eye....EN...Geee" Poor old thing, SEVEN days, amazed it didn't try and chew your arm off!

That's a shame! Back to see my dealer then, and stop wasting hot summer days in my local grave yard in a monks outfit? 'Taxin' as is 'taxus baccata'. Like the growth inhibitor 'juglans' secreted by walnuts (Juglans) Interesting!

Had no idea about Rhod'ies. As for the yew, I was told once that pagan's use to sit under Yews to meditate, and that if you sit under a yew for a long time on a hot day you can become intoxicated by the chemicals released (I was told it was an hallucinogen), thus why the monks had 'Visions'??

I've done this twice in the past fortnight, never had a problem with it before. Fill the saw up with juice, put the cap back on the filler spout, pick up saw and pour petrol all down my leg and on patio because I haven't put the cap on the saw. I mentioned this at a party last night funnily enough. Dead wooded an ash, didn't make a very accurate step cut on a long thin branch, pulled hard and it didn't separate, so instead of re-cutting, pulled EXTRA hard, BAM right into my nose, blood everywhere LOL!!! Just rememberd a great one. We were working near a posh six form girls school, the kids were collecting money for something or other, long time ago, can't remember what for, and it really doesn't matter. Anyhooo, these too stunning 16 year olds dressed in st Trinians outfits, came up to us asking for money, as my mate was putting his spikes on. Any way, very flustered, he gave them a few quid, finished getting his kit ready, climbed up the ladder got near the top of the tree we were about to start sectioning down before he realised the spikes were on the wrong way round, both spikes facing outward hahah DONUT!!

Not tree related, but GREAT site Dave, already hunting out old songs I haven't heard for years.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFgX6i-ScVA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFgX6i-ScVA[/ame] OOOOOOOoooo ya little git!

I wouldn't charge if it was for a friend or just down the road, but if you get a call, have to travel, and have toget all ya climbing gear on, I guess I would except payment. As for wanting an invoice, that would have wound me up, think I'd have given them the money back! I rescued a cat MANY years ago, little sod ripped me to shreds, had to take my jumper off while up the tree and wrap the cat in it............got all the way down, and the little bugger ran straight back up the tree!!!!!!! Love cats, got two of my own, but was none too happy with that little furry blighter!

Is it true that Lorrel produces Cyanide?. I was told by a child minder that she was not allowed to have them in her garden, and had to remove a whole hedge of them because of this? I've worked on loads of lorrel over the years, never had any i'll feelings from them?

WHY don't I like 200? Find them VERY uncomfortable, the handle cramps my hand, no thought to them what so ever. They are a sandwich box with a guide bar (In my opinion). I've used them extensively, as I have used the Efco and Husky, just not my cup of coco. I KNOW I am going to get slagged for this comment, fully aware of it, but I like what I like and I don't like 200's simple as Simon. You say Potato I say patarto (I'm dislckxsik) You say Tomato, I say HATE the little red sods!

There's the old '200ts are the best' line, what a suprise.I own nothing but stihl: pole hedge trimmer, medium and large saw, blower, and standard hedge trimmer, but would never by a 200. Why? I don't like them. MYopinion, my choice. Millions would dissagree, some would agree. Not saying i'm right, and no one can say I'm wrong, just MY personal opinion. Fat face or Nike? Branston or Heinz? BMW or Merc? What ever you like, as long as you LIKE it who gives toss? I can't say I'd buy another Efco, but it earn't me money for three years, never let me down, i'm sure the Echo will be the same if you LOOK AFTER IT!

Shyhuck: You are SO right about the vibration! I'm hoping the harness will absorb some of it, but not sure how bad it will be. Will just have to see on the first day. There's no stipulation on how quick the job needs to be finished as the gardens are closed to the public till spring, so if mi fingers start dropping off, i'll take a few days break. Mesterh: No how you feel about hedge trimmers, thus the reason for buying the gay harness! MasterBlaster: Heavy? Far from it! Probably half the weight of a large rucksack. Its all ally. Bob: Why 'ashamed'? Nout wrong with making your life easier. Been doing this game for over 17 years now, and have learn't the hard way that no one gives you a medal for breaking your back.

Never used one, but don't knock'em till you've given them a go! I've had a EFCO top handle saw for three years, never let me down. Lacks guts, but so light and comfortable. I now have the husky 338xpt, far superior saw, but then my Efco was HALF the price..what ya expect.

You may look like a THUNDER BIRD extra, but at least your arms and back don'd ache!

So, I bought one. I saw these 'Easy-lift Harness' at the APF show this year. I didn't pay much attention apart from having a bit of a giggle about it. Well since then I just got a job of trimming a 1km (said in other post it was Half by mistake) conifer hedge. So thats 2km of 10' sides to trim and a km of top (one years growth). Major arm and shoulder work, so remembering the harness at the APF, thought I'd do a little research, and then decided to buy. So, its NOT cheap at £370 inc VAT and postage from http://www.overton-uk.co.uk, but added extra money on the job to cover it, so it's not really an issue. First thoughts out of the packet? Very light, and well made (glad to say) Instructions aren't great, but easy to assemble. Its comfortable, and takes most of the weight of my trimmer easily (not sure I'd recommend using it one handed, but the pic shows how light it makes it. It doesn't fold up particularly small, the body harness is one whole piece, with the bottom part of the pole fixed to it. The pin in the above pic is easily removed, and allows top section to fold. The top two parts of the pole are removable from the bottom part via a nut and bolt (A) (why they didn't use a wing nut I don't know) NO IDEA what the pins (B) are for? You can adjust the hight of the machine by adjusting the sliding metal ring on the rope. Easy to do with the machine attached just by pulling the arm down, holding it with one hand, and sliding the ring back and forth. (Pic in post bellow) IS IT PRACTICAL apart from the price? Seems great for doing sides, allowing you to reach heights far higher than you normally would, with VERY LITTLE effort indeed. Not sure if its quite as practical for horizontal cutting as you don't get much of a reach, but as much as you would without the harness with far less effort, so not bad. (I haven't had a go yet, but will be trying it out on Monday on a hedging job.)

Ah, thank you Jonesie, but I have just ordered one from www.overton-uk.co.uk £370.00 inc postage. Lora lorra dosh, please don't reply to this saying, ' I could have got it fifty quid cheaper', though if you can get cheap thunderbirds uniforms I'm VERY interested in a medium! Will post some amusing pics when it arrives on Friday. Fab1 out Oh yeah, and the two different versions: One has one gas strut, the other has two, The second is removable for lighter work, ie pole trimmer, use the two for extendable pole saws .

Believe me, we laughed too! Never thought i'd consider getting one till this job came in. As for a mewp, not the money on the job, though they do supply a six wheeled buggy with a modified platform on the back with a rail all round at 10', exactly the hight they want in trimmed to, so no climbing up and down ladders which is a plus. As for how practical they are with that big boom hanging above your head..mmmm, thats why I wanted to know if any one had a go. Sure, looking stupid is SUCH a turn off for all the sexy women out there that will otherwise be crawling all over me for my signed pictures, but I'd trade that for sore arms and elbos.

Yeah Sthil do this harness, not seen one in the flesh, but it looks like its designed for a pole saw, not hedge trimmer. Holds the base of the power unit, I doubt it's any good for trimming??