aaron mj

Www.broadleaftreesurgery.co.uk we require climbers who can work without supervision on a self employed basis 2/3 days a week. Good kit, good team, good banter.

Tell us more about the spikes please

Hi just looking for info regarding yard rental prices in kent. Preferably one with somewhere to tip chip and logs etc. based in central kent

This is a great thread, lots of good points. I'm a subbie climber from Kent. I spend about 4 months abroad contracting each year going for 2 or 3 weeks at a time. My wage I would say is high because of this. Last years return I made 37k profit, With around 10k expenses on top, I get a few private jobs on the side and the odd days cash also. I recently got offered a job with a really good company for 36k a year and a company car. A good wage. Arguably I'd be better off taking the job, as I'd get payed time off to do some contracting etc as well. However though being a subbie is so varied and that to me, and I'm sure most subbies is what it's all about. Id take a guess that this is why you might struggle to fill the vacancy you have. It's nice to know that employers are finally realising that re numeration is important and that in order to get the right people they have to pay them right.

Any double braid, 24 strand will do bro. 16 strand isn't really designed to run through gear. Its large braid in a cam or zig zag makes it bumpy to ride. Its also really stretchy stuff no good for bigger stuff.

11mm isn't good, zig zag isn't rated to less than 11.5mm buddy.

Yeah I tried the ones in the trucks rich and was pretty impressed however they are the p 500, not the larger p 3000...... thanks for the replys chaps really appreciate the heads up. Im just going to go ahead and get one I think. Yeah ross when are you planning this night out?

Has anyone used the Tree Runner? Does it work well with big wood etc

Reg, I selected that rigging point because I felt that it was more than adequate for the job in hand. It was about 8 or 9 inches in diameter and in sound condition. Elm is pretty strong also, even if its dead or in decline it can take a battering. I actually popped a rigging point when I was working in Oz a few years ago taking out a big lemon scented gum. So I pay a lot of attention to what parts of the tree I use nowadays. mistahaben, I've been contract climbing for years now and have worked in loads of different country's for loads of different firms. Id never consider boshing a tree like that out at all mate. (it was in a hospital car park), and the tarmac looked like it was the type that doesn't take well to dropping massive timber on it.(The normal type that is) Besides which it would leave skid marks where the butts were hitting. Also The grass area overlooked the main river in Oslo, was nicely kept, and when we arrived had some benches that we moved so obviously people sit there a fair bit. Making foot deep holes everywhere/ or having to re-instate it would be simply retarded. The other key factor here, is that the tree had roughly £2500 on it and we were in and out in 5 hours! I don't think that's to sad really. It wasn't an amazing video really i must admit, as like you say there wasn't much technically challenging rigging going on. And also we only filmed a small part of the entire job. Sorry you were disappointed. we have a lot of interesting jobs going on and i will ask to borrow a helmet cam from rich on one or two if you want me to.

some sick rigging from Richy, was a nice tree to climb would have been better to have some more battery.

In my experience pay is directly linked to how you contract! if you keep it simple with only a few companies you will earn less as you receive regular work, and do more day to day stuff. If your willing to work for the many you can charge more, expect to get less days from each company, and generally have to take more risk I.e no second climber a lot of the time. Where your willing to work, going abroad if you know were to go, and have the correct contacts it can be financially rewarding. What you provide, big saws, rigging kit etc. And of course, if your a yes man or not.... If you can say yes to any job any day and do it week after week then your gonna get a name for yourself. There isn't a set wage I don't think, just stay greedy and work hard. Your come out trumps eventually.

For me competition climbing is about learning new stuff and meeting like minded people and traveling to different countrys.Of course the competition side of it is important! but fact is its a hobby, a lifestyle even...... I didn't start of in this industry involved in comps, but I heard about it and started looking in to it. Anyone can do that, Generally they choose not to though. Nothing exclusive about it, just gotta be interested enough to get involved. Comp climbers are tree workers same as the rest.

spotties mate!

Are you seriouse bro!? A weekly food shop in Norway is about 200 quid! There isn't anything inflated about it. You can earn a decent wage if you don't spunk it at the weekend but if you go out and live it up your take home similar to the wages in the uk. To be fair mate, your the type of person who i was talking about, your go in asking the 200 a day mark and think your roling in it when in fact you don't have any clue to what you should or shouldn't be earning...... The type of person who ruins the industry! 13 years ago my cousin worked as a contractor in Stockholm He was earning 400 Sek an hour. Id be lucky to earn 250 sek in Sweden these days. The combination of stupidity and greed has caused this and it actually puts an awfull lot of Swedish/ norweigien climbers off taking up arb. And for the record my groundsmen usually call me Jesus!

Sweden you wouldn't earn that Norway yes. Im not breaking any laws, as long as im not in Norway for more than 180 days in any 12 month period I don't pay norweigien tax. I don't pay vat in the uk as I don't go above the vat threash hold I pay 40% on everthing I earn over a certain amount. but by the time you have deducted you costs ''a lot higher because of double living cost in Norway'' food etc. its not a lot. I think 350 nok is an exceptable contract climbers wage that is around the 39 quid mark last time I looked

The main problem mike is you are working and living in Norway. That means you pay Norweigien tax. And are dictated by there taxation laws.

I earn upwards of 35 pounds an hour mike. You know as well as I do that money is available in scandinavia. There are far to many companies taking the piss out of people, and it really is ruining an industry. ........Going back to winter. Yeah it's pretty bleak to be honest. Good luck, I really hope you find a good employer with some integrity.