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Lurcherman

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Everything posted by Lurcherman

  1. That thing looks like it's been eaten by PALM, Rick!!! How you doing?
  2. Hi Rick. Just got me NE Tachyon and using it with a ArmorPrus VT through HitchClimber......................smooth as! (But grippy when I need it!) How's things?
  3. What rope are you using for your main line, Mark?
  4. I think I've got to go the other way, Mark. Found out yesterday that a job to thin 4 Pines (which would take 2 of us a day at a cost of €440.00) was done for €1,200! And all the brash was still outside the gate..... And they'd 'Lion-Tailed' the muthas! Methinks a doubling of prices is in order. Seriously, though, I know there's an urge to go in a bit cheaper, but if questioned, explain they're getting a quality service by professionals using expensive kit.
  5. Just a quick line or two to express my appreciation to all fellow ArbTalkers for their, in some cases, very kind words of support and understanding. However, I did not post this thread to garner sympathy or give it a lot of 'boo-hoo, woe-is-me'. I was hoping that one of the lads would have contacted me over the last couple of days and offer an explanation for their actions - oh, and to have a rant! Only one of these objectives has been achieved and I think this thread may have run it's course (I may be wrong!) I am taking away from this some sound recruitment advice for the future and I thank those who have contributed to that. I have 2 more guys turning up in the next 5 days and I'll see if they work out so I should be sorted. Having said that, if todays volume of enquiries (and we're running at about a 90% take-up rate) is any indication of how busy we are still to get, don't be surprised if another request for good tree men is posted soon.
  6. Freelance (self-employed) I am able to accept UK invoices but registering self-employed here is easy though Social Security payments are higher than UK. VAT threshold very much lower than UK but my accountant and I have ways around it. You are legally responsible for your own Private Health Insurance though the E111 card gets you most treatments. Tell the wife your popping out for a pint of milk:thumbup:
  7. Andy. Thanks for your understanding and, as I pointed out at the start of this thread, I will not use this forum to name the individuals. I am hoping that at least one of them sees or hears about it and will grow a set and contact me.
  8. Hi Butler. Who are you?? If you are someone refered to in my post, PM or email me. Cheers.
  9. Stephen, the fact you stuck at something for 5 weeks without leaving anyone in the lurch, damaging or nicking anything is evidence of moral fibre......and you DID call the boss. I did not take the decision to start this thread lightly. However, I would like to hear from the lads, as my calls to them since their departure will atest to, and I'm hoping that here we all will hear the other side of the story.
  10. That's the point, they weren't men-enough to talk to me, hence the title of this post. Got one of my regular guys coming back tomorrow and one or two more from here over the next 5 days. Let's hope these ones are 'full-baked'
  11. Last week I had 2 lads start work for me. They arrived on Sunday and I picked them up at the airport. At this time, I gave them 50% of their airfares as agreed. I installed them in a rented flat and explained the rent due to me at the end of week 1 and this accomodation was temporary (a week-or-so) as it was promissed to another employee who had returned to the UK just for Xmas and New Year, and that they would have to sort themselves out more permanent accomodation. Monday and Tuesday, they worked well dismantling Palms and asssisting with the JCB, all looked promissing as they seemed to have a good work ethic. On the strength of this, I loaned them my car so they could get about and flat-hunt more easily. I also decided to pay them their daily rate at the end of every day, rather than at the end of the week due to them not being able to get to a bank to change Pounds to Euros. Wednesday showed up climbing inexperience when a simple Pine dismantle and 3 Cypress top-outs took all day - a lot longer than I would have anticipated, but I was aware that they may be demonstrating their conscientiosness. And was confident that the next day of this 2-day job would go better, even though one of the lads called that night to say the other one was thinking he may have made a mistake and may be looking for a flight home. Thursday morning I woke up to a voicemail message from them saying they were both leaving for the UK, and that I'll find my car, with apartment keys, in the village square! No further explanation was given for the sudden and unexpected departure. This left a job 1/2 done, and me having to eplain to the client why it wasn't going to be completed that day. My flat was left in the state that I had to spend 1 1/2 hrs. cleaning it, and I recently learned that my car was being 'rallied' around the village (which may explain the dent and paint transfer on the wing) They left owing a guy in the village money they had borrowed and me 3 day's rent. I will not name names in this forum, you know who you are, and it is my opinion that if you continue like this, especially so soon after leaving college, your Arb careers will be short-lived. I would welcome any and all comments from ArbTalkers, particularly in regard to how I could have treated these individuals any better.
  12. Highest qualification you can get is a few year's worth of varied tree-work experience and a positive attitude to the job.
  13. Due to an ever-increasing work-load, I need at least 2 climbers (or a climber and groundsman) to work in a friendly Arb team for the only specialist tree work contractor serving the whole of the Algarve. My requirements of you will be: Proficiency and Experience in all areas of practical arboriculture; Own your own PPE inc. harness and rope; Current, full driving license, with permission to tow; Able to come out here for a period of not less than 3 months (ie, no mortgage, rent or major bills to pay in UK) Immediate start If you think you can fulfill all the above requirements, please only email me to [email protected] and we can chat about it. I will pay 50% of the cost of your air-ticket (providing it's not BA First Class!) up to a value of €100; Provide, initial, temporary, accomodation; A daily rate comensurate with your experience and in line with the cost of living here; Cheers. Martin
  14. Hi Smithers. Slide off the side panel on the ignition switch side and right in the middle you'll see 2 plastic 2cm cubes with cicuitry in them. To see if these sensors are working, fire up the machine and open the throttle. Press the 'In-Feed' button and the top cube should show a red LED glowing inside. Press the 'Reverse' button and hold it, crane your neck around (unless you have an assistant!) and the bottom cube should show a red LED. If none of the above happens, then my guess is those sensors are the root of the problem. Having said all that, if you've got lovely sharp knives and feeding shorter or thinner bits, then the No-Stress won't kick in anyway!
  15. We's got rain now , bring waterproofs!
  16. Drinking is a major part of the day though:thumbup1:
  17. Beg to differ...........Super Bock is foul, headache-making stuff, 'Cristal' is much better! We're based on the Algarve (South) Coast and there's nearly always good waves on the West.
  18. Due to an ever-increasing work-load, I need at least 2 climbers (or a climber and groundsman) to work in a friendly Arb team for the only specialist tree work contractor serving the whole of the Algarve. See web site at Algarve Tree Services My requirements of you will be: Proficiency in all areas of practical arboriculture; Own your own PPE inc. harness and rope Current, full driving license, with permission to tow Able to come out here for a period of not less than 3 months (ie, no mortgage, rent or major bills to pay in UK) If you think you can fulfill all the above requirements, please only email me to [email protected] and we can chat about it. And you could soon be enjoying the 22 degree, sunny weather we've been having the last few days and drinking beer at 90 cents a bottle! Cheers. Martin
  19. Well done for highlighting this issue I went through almost exactly the same scenario at the end of '98. Had the operation (one removed ) followed by a few months of chemo. Please stay positive of mind, don't be too proud to ask for support from friends and family (very important) and have faith in our wonderful NHS. The success rate after treating testicular cancer is very high (maybe even higher now than when I went through it). You will find that your treatment puts a lot of things in perspective, and you will come out the other side with a changed attitude towards the 'petty' things in life. Wishing all the very best.
  20. I used to be a die-hard Stihl supporter. I have an MS361 running an 18" bar and and a 460 with a 20", both cracking saws, although vastly differing power and weight. Recently I was persuaded to have a Husky 372 XP with an 18" bar.......... what a saw!!! Very manouverable, loads of power and I believe a faster-rotating chain. IMO 372XP would be an ideal replacement for your 361, unless you have a desire for the 'big-saw-back-ache' that comes from running a 46! Hope this helps.

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