RobF

An interesting side-effect of using a MEWP is that some older and therefore experienced climbers who are very good at the job and but are running out of puff - can carry on doing the ariel stuff for years longer than they might otherwise have been able to. The arb world too often loses its most able guys because of the sheer wear and tear of the job. Its noticable to me that my regulars are usually well established arborists.... in their 40's....

I have been using MEWPs for tree work for 10 years - and hiring them out for the last 2 years. We managed to do most arb ops successfully by adapting the method of work to suit the machinery - you have to think and work a bit differently to capitalise on the machine's strengths. Trouble is that you need more than one machine - you always need bigger than you imagine- to work safely.We have four different units from 16-18-23m on tracks, and a 17m truck mount for highways work. The bigger local firms - Chelt Tree Services, Tree Maintenance, Bartletts etc all use our kit from time to time, rather than buy their own.... MEWPs don't replace a climber but they do make commercial sense on the right job.

mmm have heard wildly varying stories about these.... anybody got one which has done a lot of work and not gone wrong??

Thanks - Does look interesting, but at 5 ton is a bit on the big side - thinking more of a 2-3 ton machine - something very mobile.

I am looking to get hold of a towable shredder capable of handling stuff like fence posts/panels/pallets. Saelen cobra looks interesting - has anyone used one - or has anyone got a recommendation? Anything out there for sale?

My first was an old utility 9m 4x4 dodge - cheap - then a 17m on Iveco 5 ton - lovely for highways work - then an Octopussy 1465 - no comment - then two Italmec R16's - great - latest Teupen 23 - exceptional.... The tracked stuff up to 16m is very limited - hedges, topping conifers, dead elms etc but the 23 is superb for decent sized trees - minor crown reductions right through to dismantling - BUT very expensive to buy.... my tree surgery business is now primarily a specialist hire business - would say it makes more sense to hire rather than buy if you want tracked stuff for the odd job - ex utility cherry-pickers are quite reasonable but tracked mewps are pricey. Let me know if you want to hire!

Can do a Greenmech 1623 safe track at £150/day £500/wk plus vat.....