County4x4

Oh it is now mate! Only in the summer though - so we get lots of visitors from all over the place if they're brave enough to attempt the link, which can be a little hairy if the weather is against you. Also gets dodgy if you make up your own route out of the River Ribble and into the link instead of following the instructions, as quite a few have done this year, and then ended up grounded in the middle of nowhere waiting for the next tide! I've seen several pics in the office at work but probably not allowed to post them! Last one was sitting at an angle of around 45 degrees front to back and had the coastguard with them all night - the owner responded by getting the black paint out and touching up his hull! Here's the link to the link - sorry couldn't resist! Home Page Glad to see all you hard working timber guys have been busy sorting out my ideas for me all day by the way:laugh1: So - given that I think that nets are going to be not so popular with boaters due to price and low volume - should I be asking for loose loads delivered for me to pack into fert. bags or similar, or should I be getting real competitive on the net prices instead? Or finding bigger nets? Would the wholesale prices for loose and netted logs be a fair way apart? @gensetsteve - yeah - bit of a hike to your neck of the woods - I use to drive down there and back to Carnforth every night once upon a time - your stuff sounds like it would be ideal. I'm already looking at coal prices, and I have a message from one of the kindling guys on here, so hopefully got those bases covered. I'm also looking into diesel supplies as it's virtually impossible to get on the canal - nearly all the boatyards have stopped selling it now. Next things to look at are gas and pump outs (lovely job when it's warm!) I work on the canal at the moment but it's technically a seasonal job and is supposed to end after September - there is a slight possibility of something permanent, but nothing guaranteed by any means. I'd love to stay on but if it doesn't happen then I need to be looking for another source of income. Hence all this and I'd like to supply local homeowners as well as boaters - don't mind working hard and not expecting to get rich as a result, but need to make enough to pay the bills etc. Realistically I don't think I'm in a financial position to gear up to go and start felling my own timber, so buying in is the only option really. Ok I might make a bit less, but don't need to shell out thousands on tackle to do it all myself. Thoughts anyone? Cheers, Andy

Buzz - yes I know mate - but there are no supply boats on MY canal, as well as problems for boaters getting red diesel and pump outs. If there was a working boat on already I wouldn't even consider this. The working boats that are already out there tend to be in the Midlands and south for the main part, and tend not to step on each other's toes as far as the area they cover. I'm only looking at the wood as one part of the idea - it may turn out that there is not enough interest in it to make it worthwhile because as I said earlier, most of the boats use coal. It would be nice to give them the option though, and we do have a number of fairly "green minded" live aboards who would probably see wood as a better option. I'd be looking at providing other goods and services as well. I'm also interested in supplying "normal" wood to land based customers so as not to put all my eggs in one basket and restrict myself to sales on the canal. @jpbeaver - I'd be interested in both at the right money mate. I know there's still some predjudice against softwood in the market, though I have no problem with it personally and if the difference is reflected in the price then no worries. Bottom line is I want to provide a good product and a good service - not just turn up when I feel like it or only if the sun is shining etc etc! I'm still thinking that buying loose in bulk and then packaging as necessary for whoever wants it maybe a better bet than buying nets ready done, but if anyone thinks different, please shout up! I don't pretend to know all the answers:wink: Andy

Buzz - I'd probably be looking at both - though probably more at the individual boaters. I'd guess that if the marinas were to take a cut as well then there wouldn't be much left to go round. The wood is only a possible part of a bigger idea supplying coal, diesel, pump outs and other services and products to people on the canal, so it's not like it would need to supply 100% of any income. Having stuff delivered directly to the boat would no doubt be a good selling point to many customers. As I said to Mr Ed, I would also be interested in supplying "normal" wood to land based customers if I can buy it in at the right price. I'm open to all ideas at the moment! Andy

Hello mate, Well that's the big question ain't it?! The answer as ever is more elusive! This is why I'm trying to get numbers together to give me (hopefully) some idea of the viability of the idea. Traditionally, most boaters are using coal - I'm looking into wholesale suppliers of that as well. To get any number of them into wood is going to need a good product and a keen price. At the moment, I'm looking at this as a potential sideline business, though at the end of the day, I would like nothing more than to make my living up and down the canal. It's one of those lifestyle things really - if I could make enough to pay the bills and so on, with a little left over, then that would do for me. At the same time though, I'm not under the illusion that I can do it just for the love of it - I have bills and kids just like the next man. Would there be a possibility of supplying the smaller size logs in bulk for me to package myself, or would it only work for you going out in nets? As I said, I'd also be interested to hear from any potential suppliers of "normal" firewood to cater to people living on the land. At the moment I'm happy to listen to what anyone has to say, and to any advice they might give. Cheers, Andy

"Granny logs" - like it:biggrin: Andy

Hi Mr Ed, Thanks for your reply. I think you're right in that it will need to be nets or fertiliser size bags for the boat customers. Storage space is often at a premium so very few of them would be able to take anything like a bulk bag at a time. As far as size goes, most of them will be running small stoves like the Morso Squirrel, or the equivalent around the 4-5 kW mark and traditional things like the small Epping range style cookers. To be honest, the Epping firebox is probably too small for effective burning of wood. We have them on our workboats on the canal and they are tiny. Fatha in law has a Squirrel at home and he feeds it stuff at about nine inches from memory. I'm kind of hoping that delivery direct to the boat will be a plus point - at the moment they are probably having to lug it from the nearest garage and then probably split it down again. I'm looking at supplying coal as well on a similar basis, but want to be able to give the customers the option of wood. I don't know how much the garages are making on nets, but they always seem to be very expensive when you see how much wood you actually get in one! The fertiliser bag size may be a better bet. Cheers, Andy

Hi all, I'm trying to put some figures together around an idea for a new business - part of which would be supplying boats on the local canal with fuel for heating. I'm looking into how many of them are using woodfuel at the moment (a lot use coal in their stoves) and what would get them to buy more. Is there anyone around the top end of Lancashire on here who could supply wholesale firewood to me, and what would be the options regarding size of the product - a lot of boat stoves are pretty small and garage forecourt stuff in nets tends to be pricey and often on the large side for them. Could it be supplied at a specific length if required? I'd be grateful for any input along with delivered prices, minimum order requirements and so on. If you can supply nets, bags or loose I'd like to see the prices for both if that's okay. Also any advice you'd give would be more than welcome - even if it's don't do it! I'm guessing this is going to be just a sideline for a while at least - and the wood is only part of a bigger picture that is not yet fully worked out. I'm just trying to get some numbers together and get the ideas into some sort of order before I jump into anything that's going to cost me! I'd probably be looking for some kindling in nets as well. I may well look at supplying to land based customers locally as well, so hopefully I could shift a reasonable amount of wood. I've run businesses before and they've done very well in a big part due to customer service - I try to make sure everyone is happy with what they get and if i say I'll be there then I will etc etc - you know the score. If you want to discuss anything privately just send me a pm, but any input would be very welcome as you guys know more about the firewood game than I do! Cheers all, Andy

:laugh1: one at every party Andy

If you're here looking for advice, the first bit I'd give would be "Stop it!" MDF dust ain't good for you at all - it contains formaldehyde amongst other things and you don't want to be breathing dust containing that!. Burning it in a domestic stove or fireplace will basically send all those nasties up the chimney for your neighbours and the rest of the planet to breathe in. Industrially, waste mdf has to be incinerated at much higher temperatures than you'll get in your stove to break down all the nasty compounds it releases. There is enough "decent" timber around - often for free if you scout around a bit - to keep the home fires burning without poisoning the planet for everyone else into the bargain. Hope I don't come across as preachy - it's just that this is one of those things I'm actually bothered about - in much the same way as it hacks me off that big local salad growers who hype their produce as fresh and healthy and good for you etc, are quite happy to burn trailer loads of shrink wrap and waste plastic out on the marshes where they think no-one will notice - you can see the black smoke trails for miles........ Cheers, Andy

These things tend to come in sets you find - I've bumped into the owners of several of my van's sisters- eg mine is P371, and I've met 361, 367, 369 and 372. The green one has several sisters too - was in very good nick but Maun Motors who were selling it were looking for over 9 grand plus VAT about four years back! Several of that group - reg ended in CBT were sold around the time - some up Newcastle way and I've seen one of them here in Lancaster. The certainly get noticed anyway! Got any pics of yours - I only have pics of one SWB Mk5 I think. Cheers, Andy

To complete the set: Mk2 Modified Mk3 Mk4 And mine from another angle Andy

On the Mk 5 they had a standard Transit axle on the back with a 5.14:1 diff, The transfer box has a Borg Warner plate on it. Not entirely sure about the rest of the front end - much of it is County's own, but we're kinda hampered by having no workshop manuals! According to MJ Allen who handle the spares these days, there is no such thing, but one guy did turn up on the Transit forum saying he had one. He was going to get a copy out so we could duplicate it and pass it on, but after a few messages saying his scanner had broken etc etc, he disappeared and we never got it. I do have manuals and parts lists for the beam axle models if anyone needs a copy - though it's a fairly chunky manual so would take a while to copy! Haven't heard of anyone else with bellhousing troubles tbh. There have been a lot of Mk4's on ebay lately with knackered front ends though - usually diff troubles it seems. That could well be down to people using the 4WD system on hard surfaces which it's not designed for. There's no centre diff so the transmission will wind up in no time if the wheels can't slip a bit. Here's a few pics for anyone who hasn't seen the County Transit around: Mk3 Mk5 Mine:001_tongue: Andy

There have been a LOT of problems with the new all wheel drive system on the Mk7 Transit by all accounts. It's one of these "clever" systems that senses what's happening at each wheel and adjusts itself automatically without the driver having any input. To be honest - I'd prefer to be in charge of it myself! The set up on this model is not really aimed at serious off roading as ground clearance is just the same as a standard van. I run a Mk5 County with IFS, and have no complaints at all really. It's low geared so will never be a flying machine, and fuel consumption with the naturally aspirated 2.5 is a bit higher than for a "normal" van - but not excessive - only a matter of a few mpg difference. I get just under 400 miles to a tankful using 25ml of acetone per tank. Consumption would be better with a turbo and it would help performance too - the N/A 2.5 is only 76PS after all, so not a lot of grunt there. I have a 100PS turbo van which I may take the engine out of for the County. No problems at all with tyre wear or noise - and that's on fairly cheap AT tyres. Obviously with a very aggressive tyre noise and wear could be greater. Approach and departure angles are very good - especially without the dirty great Ramsey winch living under the back end! It's nice to drive on the road too - I was expecting a lot more roll in bends but it feels very stable and rolls very little to be honest. I've also had a Mk3 County which was a lot more agricultural feeling than the Mk5 - that was on beam axles front and rear, and no power steering either - but it did have an overdrive gearbox so was a bit better on the motorway! Again - once you got used to the steering it was quite nice to drive. The County conversions were an expensive do - the Mk5 basic conversion was around £12.5k on top of the cost of the van - the winch added another 2.5k. County converted Mks 2, 3, 4 and 5, but never the Mk6. As for other versions - Iveco tends to be very pricey when anything goes wrong, and the Merc Sprinter is fairly well known for falling over in standard form - never mind with raised ground clearance! Andy

Talking of cool customers - a mate sent me this clip. http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=189_1227719651 Just trying to imagine the conversation when he got home: "Good day at work darling?" "Yeah not bad love, wing fell off the plane - not much else to report though" Andy

That's the first one I've seen actually badged as a Husqvarna - but it is definitely one of the Chinese (probably) copies. Bought one meself just for cutting old pallets up recently, and in all fairness, at under £90 delivered from Germany, it wasn't a bad buy, and it does the job admirably. Build quality isn't up to much as you would expect - but certainly no complaints as far as value for money goes at that price. As far as this ad goes, well someone is definitely taking the p**s with that price. Makes me wonder how some folks sleep at night. Andy

It's a mower mate - or at least it was. Started life as a Scag SWZ - one of these: It's articulated in the middle for steering, and in mower racing circles it's known as Group 2 Wheels, as opposed to a Group 2 Roller, which looks more like your common or garden cricket wicket type mower - you know the sort that leave nice stripes on your lawn. Andy

And the first racing mower I built: (should this be on the landscaper forum?!)

Current daily driver: Another daily driver now for sale: Weekend ride until I "retired": Andy

Beechwood fires are bright and clear If the logs are kept a year, Chestnut's only good they say, If for logs 'tis laid away. Make a fire of Elder tree, Death within your house will be; But ash new or ash old, Is fit for a queen with crown of gold. Birch and fir logs burn too fast Blaze up bright and do not last, it is by the Irish said Hawthorn bakes the sweetest bread. Elm wood burns like churchyard mould, E'en the very flames are cold But Ash green or Ash brown Is fit for a queen with golden crown. Poplar gives a bitter smoke, Fills your eyes and makes you choke, Apple wood will scent your room Pear wood smells like flowers in bloom Oaken logs, if dry and old keep away the winter's cold But Ash wet or Ash dry a king shall warm his slippers by. As with all this stuff, your mileage may vary - I used to burn a lot of dead elm and never had a problem with it - maybe the dead bit is the key? My old head forester wouldn't have the stuff in his house though - some old suspicion about it - "Elm hateth and waiteth" Funny old bugger he was..... Andy

Coke is marvellous stuff for all sorts of jobs. Hadn't heard of de-scaling, but have often used to it free rusted bolts, stuck injectors and so on. It will dissolve teeth and meat if they are left in a glass of it too. Just trying to think of an instance of when you'd want to do that now....... Nope! Andy

Always feel a bit sorry for starlings personally:sad: Round here, there's often a piece in the local rag when they are doing their late afternoon flights saying what an incredible sight it is and telling folk where and when to go and have a look at them. But also round here, a row of old conifers was felled near the railway station because the starlings had chosen to roost there and the locals were making a fuss about them. I suppose they'll be happy when there are no birds or anything else slightly unhygienic left eh? Oh - not that I particularly agree with shifting them on - but there is some sort of electronic noise thing you can get. Had one in a factory I used to deliver to, and I hope it was one of those noises you stopped hearing once you got used to it, 'cos it used to annoy the hell out of me when I was in there! Holland's Pies in Accrington used to get regular visits from a local Falconer just out of interest! Andy

Thing is - technically speaking - if I pressed that there "buy it now" button, would that not constitute a legally binding agreement? Not that I've got 27k knocking about in loose change - but you get my point! Andy

Great post! And some of those pictures really put our little "problems" into perspective don't they? Guess we should remember to count our blessings... Andy

This is a pic from one of his previous listings: It is a rather odd advert though - I don't think giving a buy now price that isn't the buy now price is in line with ebay policy! Andy

If you lose the first "http://" from that link it will work. Cheers, Andy