Backpain

Cool thanks guys.

Hi Guys, hoping someone can answer this before I shell a huge sum of money on new climbing kit. I'm going to move over to a Zigzag now people have stopped falling out of trees (only joking obviously, just glad they've solved the issues) If I buy Yale Tachy rope with 2 slaice eyes will they fit through the little links? Or do I buy 1 slaice and slide the zigzag up 35m of rope? Also, going to splash out on a Zillion too. What happens when you buy a replacement landyard. The eye has a sealed plastic sheath on both ends. Will this fit through the Zillion links? Currently using nice bits of friction cord and pulleys but apparently to pass Loler all fabric items need to be less than 5 yrs old and you must be able to verify this, so thought its probably worth spending some money on decent kit for the next 5 years. After all the kit I have has lasted 5 years so its more than paid for itself. Also, is it worth sticking it on fleebay? most of its around 5 years old but still in good condition with no damage.

MEWP's

I did it at 38 and still climb at 46 so go for it. Hope you retain your fiancee...... Must go to spec savers

I'll be honest and admit I never expected to be successful at this game for one minute. I was lucky to have a business background and pretty handy at fixing things. But most of all I think whats makes things happen is determination. Oh and being nice to customers...they like nice normal people.

Never below the undercut!!! Otherwise it is basically a step cut. I had a guy do this in the tree and he got a whole load a in his ear after the limb nearly took out the fence as it snapped and went sideways.

I find this really scary. I'm an engineer and have worked in the aerospace industry. I personally think there's an issue with the links, probably stress propagation from lazer cut stainless steel is my assumption but I don't work for Petzl and don't know the processes. Don't think they've got the manufacturing process under control or the heat treatment is making them brittle so they fail under fatigue. Doesn't happen with a piece 10mm beeline.......

You can Loler it on Monday and by Friday the gates sticky if its been raining and dirty. You need to check and learn how to look after your climbing kit. Don't leave the yard if your not happy with your kit. Your boss might be a mean old wanker, but if you end up at the undertakers he'll have to explain to your family why. And it might not even be his fault.

Very pleased to add to this thread. Just taken delivery of these boots and have to say what good quality they look for the price. They're very firm with lots of ankle support and feel very lite. Feel quite wide fitting and look quite big but I think that's an illusion from the luminous green leather. My current boots are Airstream which I was going to get resoled but thats not possible now because the mid-sole has started to deteriorate. bit disappointing but they've seen two years use so not complaining. Hope this helps potential purchasers and I will update as work continues.

Had a bizarre experience yesterday. Went to view a job and one of the trees was a big old apple tree covered in wisteria. She claimed the tree had been calcified. Some one had drilled into it a poured in calcium carbonate. It was overhanging a very new and expensive looking conservatory. Well I looked puzzled and said there's a good chance the wisteria is holding it up. There were various other monoliths covered in climbers. Please tell me I'm not imagining all this!!!

Absolutely awful for firewood. It soaks up the moisture like sprung. Just put about 3 tons on the bonfire as I can't be bothered to wait for it to dry and need the space.

The one on the RHS. Had 3 pairs a HiFlex when I started and still have one pair left. Put them on the other day and they are like wearing stretchy bog roll in comparison the Pfanner. They obviously know how to make proper PPE. Well worth that little extra cash.

Oh I just love the simplicity, dependability and reliability of the prussiks. I've used my hitch climber set-up and see no really efficiency in pulling yourself up the tree with your arms verses thrusting yourself with a well tones core with the help of your arms. Although I did notice the right side of my body was becoming deformed, which is why i changed. I took ages to find the right cord, cord length, and knot to rely on and eventually when I found it it worked. But it was still bloody hard work pulling myself up the tree. I can fully understand the logic of these new mechanical devices but don't be fooled these companies all have very slick marketing departments. SSS Simple Safe Secure.....my new brand of Prussik LOL

Thought I'd bring up the subject of joint pain as winter approached. Actually I've been suffering with my knee which is unusual as its normally my back. Seen the doctor twice with the same diagnosis both times as a sprained knee, although it felt more like I needed a knee replacement. Prescribed pain killers and physio, neither of which made any difference. Still can't walk! Granny came round and prescribed Volterol (which she obviously has in abundance care of the NHS) which she gave me with the usual sympathetic smile. Two days later all seems well, I can walk like a normal human. So the moral of the story is don't under estimate the power of Grannies, they know their stuff when it comes to joint pain.

I think I've got trigger finger from starting my 260

Is there money to be made selling firewood? As sure as the sun sets in the west! But not really unless its cold and wet. So you'll either need hundreds of customers or find some other way of earning a crust to survive all year round. Don't get caught up in the romance of woodland management. Go to the summer country fairs and speak to the bodgers, coppicers, weavers, turners and loggers etc and you'll get an idea of how difficult it is to scape a living in this industry. I started out in conservation and woodland management and there's an enormous amount to consider. I now do an but of everything.

When you get through this which no doubt you will you should write a book. You whit is amazing and I've chuckle through your post whilst feeling extremely sorry for someone so brave. It's hard to smile in your situation and probably harder to make others smile. Keep up the positivity and much respect. I'm looking forward to more of your NHS anecdotes.

Just been cleaning my chain brake mechanism as its not been stripped in 18 months and the brakes starting to stick a little. Took the screws out of the cover hoping it wasn't the same design as the last Husky I took apart and low and behold the spring shot out and bit my little finger. Anyway whilst trying to reassemble the spring mechanism I somehow managed to snap the pin which the rocker/lever for the brake fits. Its about 3mm Dia!!!!!! and snapped like spaghetti what a pathetic design. Christ knows how much a new clutch cover is going to cost me. Anyone have any tips on how to put this assembly back together safely without causing catastrophic damage. Thanks.

I've had my MS260 since 2008. I cleaned it and looked after it and its never had a plug change or proper all over service and its never let me down. This generation of saw is bullet proof in my opinion.....which is why I insisted on a MS660 not the new 661. Have an old 044 which was rebuilt last year its bullet proof too and dead easy to fix. Did to work on a 261 and it was a nighmare taking it apart. Have a new T540xp Husky which we call the screamer...its mint absolute beast of tool so I would consider a smaller Husky to replace the 260 when need, which I think will be never at this rate.

My Airstream are soooo good I'm buying some Meindl Vacuum walking boots at £180 its the first time I've not bought ASOLO boots (for walking in obviously) I have an old pair of Haix trekker for logging in but I went through three pairs in as many years and they're **** for climbing in.

Comfy when dry. You wait till you've been sweating in it and take it off for a brew. Its like putting a pair a wet pants on your head. I call it my special helmet. My Petzl has been great but my heed is too small for it.

You did the right thing. If there's tree's falling in the wind which are perfectly healthy then yesterday wasn't a great day for climbing dodgy stuff. If I ever come across a dodge tree it gets MEWP'd I never send anyone up a tree I won't go up myself. I've been up enough dodgy tree's and you just know somethings wrong. Its not always evident but root plate can be shot and the tree looks fairly good to climb, except for the tell tail signs of dead wood. Hold your head high and walk away, they'll always be another company needing a contract climber. its not worth what they pay you.

Hi Dseale, is that your real name? I started out in 2008 with a 260, some long reach hedge trimmers and an estate car. Its been a long road involving hardwork and sacrifice, but the rewards are incredible. To begin with you are going to have graft like mad and work with some total Tw*ts and your boss maybe like that too. But if you keep your head down stay focused and learn as much as you can eventually you'll be in a position to either go contacting or set-up your own business.

Whats the drawback with a Stine (other makes available) cambium saver. Which is essentially a sling with a ring at each end, all be it different sizes. Sometimes I feel like I need more friction not less!!!!!

Tootally fried me breen we that one