Stephen Blair

i think we need to remember we are just tree cutters, although we have amazing kit and all the new climbing techniques. there are still guys out there that stick ladders against trees in wellies and get the job done, i am not condoning them but its fact. how mant tree surgeons were there in the country 10 years ago compared to now. in the last 5 years you could demand whatever you wanted in this game, but times have changed. its not just us its all the trades, i met a guy who chucked his climbing job. he was full time in charge of a squad. 28 and was taking home 400 a week. he got a job driving a 360 on a site. he was taking home 800 a week before over time. and had never sat in a machine in his life. guess who isnt working now.

my mates got the wee carlton one, it is as sharp as a razor and he is good on it, tackle anything big or small. and you can get it in anywhere, you can feel everything thru the handlebars. i have seen guys with monster remote control ones that are useless. its all in the operator.

what is the rest of the package like? holidays,pension etc:001_smile:

you need full insurance public and employers, unless your worker is a member of the family theory being he wont sue you. but this will open a can of worms no doubt but its what i have been told. as for price, its whatever you want. you might get it accepted you might not you might make money maybe you wont. you will have to declare it to the tax man does your boss let you do other work?

just asking! if doing it one way doesnt work then try another, but if you are on the railway they just spike the bejeesus out of everything anyway. stick a thro bag on the end of your climbing line, makes life so much easier.

lucky guy eh,

matches dont break down, cost tens of thousands of pounds and you can keep them in your pocket. burn baby burn!!

, i didnt go for the carbon fibre because they arent adjustable. the second ones you have there look good, i like the way the shaft is held into the top strap, the bashlins get loose and move about digging in. hopefully have new gekos on wednesday so will let you guys know how it goes. cheers again

hows there new mini forwarder?

i think wages are a bonus when you are learning, up until i was 30 i worked 7 days a week every hour god sends, thats what you do when you want something bad enough there is always a way. i have posted mail, peeled tatties,dug cole,worked down sewers anything to get money.never got any holidays and had to pay for all my own college and courses, i think that wage and oppertunity looks amazing.

no limit, just depends on your level of rage. practice practice who are you working with?

i have ordered the alloy gekos from jonesie, thanks for all the input lads,

took these photos for you today mate, the first is pretty obvious. blown over years ago and cut off and has grown well, i have known this tree for ten years and it is excellent. the second i halved 10 years ago. it is about 30 feet high now. the tree was originally covered in ivy so when i left it it was just a stick. the pic isnt good but the tree is about 2 foot across.. look at her now. hope this helps.

as long as its sharp, keep the stones and metal out the way. some wood is just harder than others.

just found this, lol nice one buzz i think a night out with big alex would be a laugh. oh and that huge big mechanic that used to work there. looked like shrek. always called me lionel the dancing jock:001_smile:

your boy looks like he means business mate! excellent!

sorry stocks, andy wins. have left it too long. but i will be waiting for him to slip up, and i will be there.

dumpy bag full of sawdust and brash. bombs away!!!!!!!

was the guy on the left wearing a new saw pod fleece:001_tongue:

dont know anything technical about it but i do know folk that have had it done. they think its great.

lets off road!!!!

got up at 10am came down stairs had some grapes, kissed the family bye bye. went to cafe for roll and coffee. parked down the beech and looked at the view. found a wee oil can on the beech after combing for 10 mins. sweet went for a walk thru some woods taking a couple of photos. looked at a couple of jobs for thursday. stopped in at another coffee shop for some peppermint tea and a smoke salmon,cheese and cucumber fucacia. parked down the beach again. looked at the snow on the mountains. drove home. picked the boy up from nursery. have been on arbtalk ever since, having coffee and muffins, but did nip outside to have a wee fire in the garden just for a laugh with junior because andy collins was talking about it and it put me in the mood. now i am hungery again so i will have a little snack while i wait for my lovely wife to come home and make me dinner. hope this little post makes you feel better mate. he he lol oh just seen skyhucks post and i am editing it now to let you know i am selling a real 4x4 if you are interested. probably shouldnt have made such a smart arse reply now. oops hope you have a better day tomorrow. i have a privete hedge to dig out by hand so that should make you feel better.

i would love to be, always been to busy before. has a couple of imprezas. they were good fun. and liked my 4x4s. just have too settle with the mog and tractor now. now i am a bit too sensible. but would love a go on a track, the closest i get is hoging the van round a field once the sylage has been lifted spikes he he