Graham

On 01/12/2021 at 17:23, breffni said:

Done a basic hedgelaying course with the HOEHLG near Tamworth last weekend. Never done any hedgelaying before but really enjoyed it. Hopefully I can get some hedges to practice on. Thanks to graham, alex, giles and bill for running such a great course especially in the crappy weather. Feel as excited about hedgelaying as how I used to feel about climbing when i started!

Glad you enjoyed it.  You did well.

On 05/12/2021 at 09:40, organic guy said:

Torygraph magazine yesterday full of pictures Of Charles promoting hedgelaying. 

I didn't get my invite to Highgrove!

I went.  Good day and won Midland class.

One that never made it....dropped in '73.  750 square four that would have been the world's fastest production bike.  Blame US emissions regs.  

Can someone contact me regarding an order I want to place please?  Tried phoning and texting but not sure I'm getting through to anyone.

Is anyone able to tell me what parts ie part numbers I need to convert from .325?  Original bar is now showing signs of age after four years.

I'd like to change to 14 or 15" Sugihara and 3/8LP so bar and sprocket.  Thank you.

59 minutes ago, organic guy said:

How much of a sin is it to allow/cause the pleacher to split into the ground rather than bend over without splitting?

  There are many sins in cutting but this isn't one.

12 hours ago, AHPP said:

Does that really chunky stuff die and get replaced with the knit of new stuff or just keep getting fatter and gnarlier in perpetuity? Looks bombproof atm.

It will live for quite a few years if it's cut properly.  You don't want it growing for ever.  The new growth will take over eventually.

Couple of recent ones.  Heavyweight Stafford style and a lightweight break from the norm with a Welsh Border job.

1 hour ago, Stubby said:

Its to make you look the hardened , rugged tree fella . If you combine it with " big dawgs " and a neck roll from time to time jobs a goodun .

Sums it up 🙂

Excellent review.  I'm into a fourth year with a 390.  It's had a lot of use: few thousand metres of hedgelaying, small felling, firewood cutting.  Thus far a broken recoil spring.  There's a lot of stop/starting hedging.  Really like it.

On to the big old gnarly and often rotten stuff. 

This one follows the 'lazy s' of medieval ploughing.  Stafford style. 

34 minutes ago, Saw-sick Steve said:

Well, my local Echo dealer doesn't seem too bothered about making a sale as they haven't got back to me so looks like it's going to be a sale for Husqvarna? Saw will be worked hard for 6 months of the year but not a lot outside of that. Heard various things about the auto tune on the 550, what's the general consensus? 

I've used the CS390 ESX for three years now. Only a recoil spring replaced.  Worked hard on my hedgelaying, small felling and firewood.  Bloody good saw and that's from 45 yrs on saws.

1 hour ago, Husky575xp said:

Haven't done hedge laying either but I just picked up the 540ixp and it's quite a beast even in eco mode it's pretty good. Cut and pointed fencing strainers today which it managed but would occasionally clog in the side cover. The operator presence lever is a bit different as you need to push it in then down. Haven't tried the stihls but it knocks yards out of my Makita.

At £800 it should do.

My little experience with them  is match cutting next to people using them and of knowing several who've tried them.  In one national champs the chap cutting next to me used a Stihl.  He was well into two batteries on a match length.  

I've had a few little goes and not really impressed but much of my cutting is very heavy stuff.

Smaller hedges can be as quick with axe and hook if you've got the room.

They seem to be popular with the hobby/weekend warrior cutters but commercially they've a way to go I reckon.

First and possibly only ploughing and hedging match this season.  Brittle stuff and laid by a bloke with a bad back previously.  Stafford style. 

Medullary rays and colour point to blackthorn, bullace type.

2 hours ago, nepia said:

Superb work.  Almost mouseproof yet alone stockproof!

Thank you.  I do try ? 

6 minutes ago, gary112 said:

Good work Graham,you,ve started early,dont think i,ll get to it til end of next month

I won't start properly until next week.  Got too much booked in really.  First lot is really heavy stuff 750m.  Then another 1000m of nice maiden hedge.  Having to turn stuff down at mo and just glad Defra have given an extension to grant work.

Too hot to start really but getting eye in on some light stuff before the heavy grant work.

What many don't realise is that putting that drop of extra oil in 'for good luck etc' weakens the mix and the engine will run hotter.  Mistaken belief they're doing the engine a favour.

Fox moth.

2 hours ago, gary112 said:

Do you have any help or work alone?

Ninety percent alone although the dog chews a few sticks up ? The first 750 metres this season is real heavy stuff so may draft a little help in if I really need to.

1 minute ago, gary112 said:

Nice looking job Graham,have you got much booked up for winter?i,ve got about 2000mtrs to do over next couple seasons

Thanks. Around 2000m this season.  No matches though which is a real downer.

Don't think I've posted anything for a couple of years.  One or two from last season.