Invicta

I've been asked to find out who the best suppliers are in the UK for protective jackets and gillets, etc. I can find various jackets from companies like Stihl but no gillets (do they even exist?). But I can't find a supplier who specialises in arbicultural PPE. There are lots of general garden supplies people but I'm looking for someone with experience in supplying PPE to professional chainsaw users. The clothing will be used daily by both male and female foresters. Any help would be appreciated as this area of health & safety isn't one I'm experienced in and I'm aware of the dangerous repercussions of getting the wrong kit. Thanks for looking, Bern

I do general woodland groundwork, Coppicing and Hedge laying during the late autumn through to early spring to supplement my income as a freelance gardener. If you are still looking for people to add to your list or for next season then please let me know. I am happy to work as part of a team or under my own steam once I have been given an area and instructions as to which species/size to leave in place. I've done work with Malvern Coppicing, The Malvern Coppice Network, Ravenshill Wood and over on The Cotswolds up around Stow and Northleach. Kind regards, Bernard

CTS, Thanks for the prompt I had forgotten the obvious. Bern

Thanks again Tommer. It's a shame we aren't a bit closer - in a geographical sense Bern

Tommer, Thanks for such a quick reply. The design my customer is thinking of is more along the lines of a simple "A frame" or perhaps a very basic "coach house" style. Cheers Bern

As I know a lot of people tend to diversify especially when it comes to using the sawn timber that is produced I was wondering if anyone makes wooden garage "kits" please? I've had a enquiry from one of my gardening customers. Their idea is that it would be a build project to keep me busy in the autumn. Bern

Thanks for the ideas. If it's on Grass or Tarmac I use my John Deere pedestrian mower to get the leaves up (it also works for hedge trimmings). Unfortunately one of the major jobs for me is 2 mature London Plain trees planted in a gravel covered courtyard. So the risk of braking a pane of glass is quiet high unless I use a Vac or blower. The gravel is also why I'm looking at pnuematic tyres as opposed to hard plastic ones which tend to dig in. Cheers, Bernard

Many thanks for the replies folks. I always prefer to hear from people who use kit so I'll be taking a look at both options. Cheers, Bern

I've got two large gardens with overhanging trees that I look after. Last autumn was a right pain as I spent most of my time with my rake and Echo Vac/Blower getting the leaves up. So I'm thinking of getting something like a Billy Goat or the Handy Pro petrol Chipper Vacuum. I've tried a Billy Goat in the past and the thin wheels and lack of power made it hard work on gravel and with wet leaves. So I'm seriously considering the Handy. The lowest cost at £569.99 I've found so far is at Crocus. co.uk Has anyone any alternatives or experience of the BG or Handy please? Bern

All, I've had a reply from dave at Flails Direct. Their smaller flail which will do the job is £2.56 each + VAT Their Part No: FD-LOG-01 It's 65mm long as opposed to the 70mm which would be ideal but I'm going to try a set. I'll put them in a line on the rotor so i can see what difference they make as opposed to the ones originally fitted. I'll post back when it's done and let you know what happens. My thanks to you all for your help and suggestions, Bernard

I've been in touch with Flails Direct. Their standard flat grass blade for the Logic mowers are 8mm too long. But otherwise the rest of the blade seems to match. I don't know if they will be able to cut the blade down or supply a differnet blade but it's a start. I'll let you know what happens if they reply. In the meantime all other options will be very welcome (apart from a new Mower) Bernard

Thank you for such quick replies folks. The blades are (using a well used metal tape measure so allow a few thou): Width = 26/27mm Blade length (from tip to middle of the elbow) = 37mm Shaft length (from tip to middle of the elbow) = 44mm Thickness = 2mm I'll try and post some pics. Bernard

Just came acorss this section. It's my main business so hope I can help some and learn a bit too. Bernard

I've got a pre 1989 LOGIC flail mower. Having bought, and broken, the standard blades I got hold of Logic's Parts & Warranties Manager. The older mowers - with 11Hp Honda engine - had smaller blades than all models since. Logic can no longer get these smaller blades. Can anyone suggest an alternative please? The current standard blades are around 5mm longer so as a last resort is it down to getting them ground or plasma cut to size? Any help with this will be very much appreciated, Bernard

I usually push them up onto their backs so they rest on the part where the grass collector should go. Then rope or chain it to something secure. I did this after seeing a mower maintenance company doing the same thing in their workshop.

Davetaz, Congratulations - sounds great to me. Two of us have access to a site where we run coppicing courses. I was surprised how far people will travel to spend a weekend working green wood. We have a deal with a local B&B but when the weather allows we offer people the option of building overnight shelters so they can sleep outdoors.

A couple of weekends ago we went to see Eoves wood (just west of Evesham) planted by the Woodland Trust in 2000. Even after 9 years the trees still have a lot of growing to get to what you would call a wood. But the satisfaction of seeing this all develop must be immense. Congratulations to you. Bernard

Toby, What I am looking at consists of a group of people who have an interest in buying land for the enjoyment of their local community and as a sustainable site for indigenous species of flora and fauna. e.g. Here in Tewkesbury 88 acres of amenity land has become available (for sale by a builder), so I have got a small group of people together with the aim of presenting a management plan to the Environment Agency and then, if we get their approval, to raise matched funding to buy and plant the land. I am also part of a smilar group which has set-up a charity to do the same thing just east of Malvern, however this group are still looking for suitable land. So if you were interested in starting a similar project in herefordshire I can provide you with a guide to the main phases and contacts but unfortunately as, at the moment, this is all done on a self funding basis, you are too far away for me to get directly involved. However, it is very rewarding and interesting so if you are thinking of doing this I would urge you to give it a go. I hope this helps and if you would like further information please feel free to contact me via [email protected]. Bernard

It seems that there are a few people with the necessary experience/skills would like to do this but don't have the money. I might have a potential solution, so if there is anyone in the Worcestershire or Gloucestershire area who are keen to do this then please get in touch. But only if you would allow the public to have access to, and undertake supervised works in, certain areas. Bernard