Pommie

If it becomes a requirement for TPO work (Which I agree in principle with) then you should be very busy with assessments then!! I still think they should apply for the approved status. I fail to see the value of an Affiliate status. If they are given a timescale then get on board and do the whole thing

Thanks Eddy & spud!!

One ditty of info i had forgotten about.

 

When i was on a 5ft oak when it hadnt even really started, when i pulled the saw from the cut the saw would rev ever so slightly on each tug to remove it. That was b4 the carb issuse started. So given a tug on the bar, may that suggest crank seals as it was tweaking the crank on yanking?

You could be tugging the impulse hose too as the AV mounts move

Dear ARBTALK'ers, a bit of market research if I may be so bold

 

Increasingly, as the ARB Approved Contractor (ArbAC) Scheme grows in popularity and with an increasing awareness at the (commercial / LA) client level, particularly due to the 'tie-in' with the CHAS Scheme, AND hopefully now in the domestic sector too as we can award TRUSTMARK, several contractors are stating they are "working towards" arb approval. Hence subsequently, the clients often contact us for confirmation of such...BUT we have nothing to support this claim other than the contractor concerned has perhaps been on a (FoC ) Preparation Workshop previously...not particularly a clear demonstration that one is actively "working towards" ARB Approval.

 

It has been suggested, by A-N-other (very) prominent ARBTALK'er, who BTW has recently become ARB Approved himself (thank you), that we should be better supporting, and recognising, these businesses...quite rightly.

 

Hence there is a proposal to consider the introduction of an 'Affiliate Contractor' membership grade which, it is anticipated, will be a contractor 'actively' working towards ARB Approval with a view to presenting for assessment within a reasonable timescale (TBC.) It is not intended to be a long term membership option. By way of support, the contractor will receive the regular updates / 'ARB Digest' we supply to ArbACs and have open lines of communication to myself, as Scheme Manager, and colleagues who are scheme lead assessors. We may, also, be able to offer the option of a reduced price, or maybe free (TBC), pre-assessment visit once the contractor feels they are ready, or almost ready, for assessment. Further AA training discounts would likely be available also.

 

As always "the devil will be in the detail", including cost, which is likely to vary according to business size as with ArbAC, and obviously wouldn't be any more than the ArbAC fees, and hopefully significantly less.

 

So, basically, I'm looking for a "show of hands" to see who would be interested in this proposal?

 

Thanks in anticipation and all feedback (positive and negative) will be gratefully received

 

Cheers..

Paul

 

PS Sorry, just seen this message posted and it goes on a bit..."thanks for getting to this point!"

Paul

Why not just push the pre assessment visits and then give affiliate membership ?? That way you (the association ) are aware of where the contractor is in terms of compliance.

I agree wholeheartedly that AAAc should be the norm rather than the exception if we are to be taken seriously as an industry, but there is nothing stopping any contractor telling their clients they are working towards approval and never having the b**ls to take the assessment.

I go back to what I said previously to those putting their hands up. BOOK AN ASSESSMENT. Go for it, pass or fail it is a brilliant top to toe business evaluation. How many of you pay fortunes for advertising that looks similar to your competitors ?? The costs are not too onerous if you plan it. Seek Paul s guidance and it will be beneficial to your business. If after 2 years you don't see an upturn in work drop it then but at least you will take a healthy company forward

(Paul its Jamie Myers by the way)

My concerns are

How do you assess "Working towards"

Do you offer a partial assessment? If so which aspect ? H&S ? Pruning standards? Systems ?

If a company is working towards do they get to use the logo ? I know this has been a bone of contention in the past !!

How long will they be allowed the status and what happens should they not meet the standard when assessment finally happens ?

As you know Paul we took our time to achieve the AAAc status and we are proud of our achievement. Would a Working towards company have the same level of satisfaction ? I doubt it.

As for those of you putting you hands up as interested go the whole hog and book an assessment it really is worth the effort.

Sorry to p**s on someones firework

Sounds like you still have an air leak somewhere. Have you done a pressure/vacuum test ?

Tony got some info on a rad conversion for you

if in doubt chuck it

WD40 with added silicon works brilliantly, stinks like crayons though

Last week we achieved Approved contractor status :biggrin::biggrin:

A massive thankyou to Paul Smith (AA Techie) And of course to Claire in my office and my boys onsite.

Myers Trees AAAc :thumbup:

I have looked at it. It seems very expensive for a small contractor

So does mine, always has, just burning extra diesel isn't it?

As I said in a previous post it may well be down on at least one cylinder

Does it smoke a little bit on start up and smoke under load ?

Anyone know where I can go on a splicing course in the Hampshire area?

Contact Nod at Treeworker

Get a compression test, mine was low on one cylinder causing the same issue as yours. prior to changing the engine I changed the pulley it made a differenced but not enough to warrant leaving it as it was. Hoe is the no stress working ?

might get a bit big but Bay doesnt mind salt

Relay

Fraxinus ornus Manna Ash

Picea abies is my guess. Do you have any pics of the whole tree ?

Well done Ben

Ash would be my punt

Is that an ITA ?

Photo s ??

Although if you re asking on here its probably time to replace !!!

check the splines on the lower in-feed roller, if they are worn the roller sits low allowing small bits to be pulled around the roller but they get stuck when it reaches the bottom of the recess

Nice root protection on tree 1

I ll bring pies i might get it half price