Stephen Blair

Then there was the guy who threatened me in front of the planers, a complete psycho, I wasn't messing with this guy, a scary dude indeed. We come back the next day and the sacred tree they wanted to save was wrapped with about 8 rolls of chicken wire up to 20', nailed on with bent over 4" nails, then wrapped in barbed wire with abusive signs hanging from it, I turned round, put the saws in the van and have never been back, too crazy for me!!!

Also had a Nun go mad at me, and asks to speak to Stephen Blair, i say that's me, don't be ridiculous she says, your too young(23 at the time) so she goes inside and calls my mobile, a lot had happened since 1998, it was now 1999! I take it out my pocket and answer it, she doesn't click it's me and starts going bush, then she comes to the window and I give her a big wave, that was the last I ever saw her!

I have so many confrontations since the very first day I started a saw in a built up area. I used to rack my brains thinking of the perfect reply but these folk are not interested in reason or logic, they just can't walk past and want to have a go. My first real encounter came when we had a self seeded sycamore growing out a guys basement, this tree was easy 3' wide and about 70' high, tight against a big tenement, garden was about the size of a postage stamp and this new owner had been given permission and told by his insurance company to get it down. I was a climber for a company, newly started and very excited about everything, we pull up and straight away cars need moved and a site marked out, that's all got nothing to do with me, I hit the ground running, chuck on my gear and happily start free climbing up said scabby maple, aiming for the top, as I pass the 3 rd floor, there's a guy sitting in his pants getting stoned, so I knock his window and say hi! He nearly jumps out his skin, I think it's hilarious and keep on going. It takes me a few minutes to get an anchor and descend down, 1 of the boys passes me a saw and off we go, my first branch lands lovely slap down beside a car and it's alarm goes off, we think it's funny, next minute the whole close is out, men woman and children and they are going bonkers and have called the cops. I sneak up a couple of limbs, pull my rope up and just enjoy the show. There's no mobile phones about as it's 1998 and finally along comes the police. They are trying to calm the folk down, the groundies are enjoying a fag and some juice and everyone has forgotten about me. The police are getting no where, residents are going mad and starting to get abussive, then Mr Pant wearing stoner points up at me and starts calling me names, the police burst out laughing saying they didn't even see me, and Mrs Policewoman was very interested in the whole harness get up ! I come down, and start having a go at Pantman as I was younger and not my company I wasn't taking it. So as I'm walking away, there is a Mark1 fiesta, and I tap the window where a tax disc should be, Mrs Policewoman asks who's car it is, you guessed it, Pantman!! On the spot fine, lorry called to uplift car, neighbours all run away and leave him, we get a good drop zone!! Take that Pantman:lol:

It's the switch from Blue Thunder and Airworlf to bring out the missiles!!!!

Didn't really like that tbh, it's all a bit back to front ! Seat doesn't turn, dozer is at the wrong end. Liked the shear grab though.

Now that's a handy loader! Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

I've never heard or seen the snipe until now, looks like a lot of extra work to me, I've managed up to now without it, If Josh didn't have a camera he wouldn't of bothered either Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

I don't think its lightening, it's the type of damage I usually find on oak where big laterals on wood that's stringy buckles. Lightening can leave anything from a scar, instant death to blown to bits! It really is a horrible looking tree! Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

I bet a few books fell off the shelves !! Cracking job as usual , proper tree killing done in style! Do I spy a winch on Avant? Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Welcome to self employment, you can never switch off. You need to keep your foot on the gas all the time, if your not working, you should be looking and promoting in any way shape or form. I started when I just turned 23, I'm nearly 39 and I never know exactly what I'm doing tomorrow, too many variables. I've been on holiday for 2 weeks and it's too warm for me to work efficiently and safely today. If it cools down I'll go out after my dinner and may not be back until 10pm at the earliest. This morning I had breakfast with my financial advisor and looked at 3 jobs, so not a wasted day.

I've had type A vents for about 2 years, never used the vents. I didn't know they had them until someone pointed out I had fancy trousers! If I need vents, I put on shorts and do something else! They are very well made trousers. No issues. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

If you with Chris you will probably do it in Langbank at Finlayeson Estate, so about 10 minutes down the road.

I leant to stop being dangerous and taking risks, by crashing cars, I learnt how to drive on a tractor when I was 9:biggrin:

Go and put a lottery ticket on aswell mate, well done!!

Forget books, :sneaky2:get up the trees. Forget how you think a job should go, or if you feel clumsy, or could of been better. It isn't perfect, it's cutting lumps off of trees and getting them on the ground, with a few variations of the last bit, nothing more. You have to do something 20,000 times before muscle memory kicks in I was told. You need to be busy, don't stop at 4pm and head back to the yard, keep going, work until it's dark,work in the dark, drag a 46 up when you only need a top handle, that will make you strong and precise, maybe sounds a bit daft, but if you are out in all weathers , 7 days a week for months, kit falls apart, kit gets forgotten, files get lost, so you use what's there. Top some privette hedges with an 88 and 3' bar, get into a street tree contract that changes season by the time you get to the end of it, you will be climbing in your sleep. Cut the sleeves off your t shirt and just get stuck in:thumbup:

Digger looks awesome Eddie! That Avant certainly doing it job there Shilo, fantastic!

That's good news her cast is off, thinking of you.

That's a great honour, your customer/friend will of went to another place happier knowing Bella was going to be with you. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Hard work, sign writing and work 7 days a week for a few years. Expect to be owed money, expect to have things stolen, expect to be let down by people, expect to wish you hadn't started being self employed, expect to spend more time looking at work than getting work. That way you won't be disappointed when it happens Good luck Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

That looks great for the family! Hopefully someone can help you out that's close by. If not, look for a big pine or cedar tree and there will be perfect material below that. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

There's usually a reason these types if vehicles are not sitting in forecourts. Engineers love building things, your ideas will be reinforced by their enthusiasm, then when the A- team vehicle is like driving a gutless tank at the cost of 400% more than originally thought you will have learnt a tough lesson. And the hardest thing is it was your idea so you will pay the huge bill and struggle on convincing yourself it's awesome! I know someone who is sitting at over £20k just now on a similar idea, the vehicle hasn't earnt a penny and been in a shed for over 6 months after it was completed by the very enthusiastic boffin. Just buy a £3k transit tipper and get another lad to drive it, simples:) Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Wow!! Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Buy the best you can afford, Michelin lasted me 5 years on my 2150, it was doing 500 road miles a week. McConnechys got me the best price years ago. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

Good idea Codlasher:) Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

I'd take this as a warming and look elsewhere, plenty of pto Chippers about, if you know where to look, and if say buy from a dealer. Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk