jaime bray

Internet security I think!!!!! They do a free trial version but its always best to get the best you can afford, I went for the full version.

Mine too, but be sure to get the upgraded membership versions available if you desire the 'post nominals' after your name that your qualifications allow for you, as with all the recent changes to the education system and tooing and throwing of grade levels some may not be eligible in the long term. I was looking at M.Arbor.A now that the wretched PD Arb has been dealt with, especially as my domestic customers often made reference to my N.D. Arb nominals, and some took comfort in the fact that id studied my trade rather than just stumbled into it, they often refer to it as my clear passion for trees which puts them at ease with my potential services and a few more initials may bolster that. Its all about first impressions in my opinion, and like it or not, the world does still like to see people that have qualifications. P.S. In no way am i saying that people without qualifications are lesser arborists than me, the above opinion is purely based on how my customers respond to me when we converse which in turn influenced my decision to further my academic knowledge of arboriculture. I will never be the world champion at pole climbing, branch walking or speed climbing, but i love the job, and thats what matters at the end of the day. Blah blah blah......

Haha, That was de ja vu for me, similiar lines to the one i posed to the AA two years ago in a meeting i got invited to too give my opinion of the industry and how the AA can assist in the enhancement of it for all; trees,employers, employees and the general public, or should we say the consumer of the green infrastrucutre we preserve and care for. lol I got asked to put my money where my mouth was as I was full of you dont do this you dont do that. As they say 'if you want to know, me go on holiday with me' believe me, its not until you get involved with the AA that you realise the loops that they have to jump through and the work that goes on behind the scenes. It relentless and to be fair relies heavily on volunteer resources. I personally think the industry would be a poorer one without the AA. As with all organisations of this nature volunteer resources are key.... Shall i put you down to attend the next AWG volunteer meeting albedo.... Go on Go on Go on... would you like a cuppa tea now father!!!!!! Just a quick question; How many paid staff do you think the AA has? This really should be a thread on its own as it shocked me to find out!!!!

Mark do you ever get chance to read the AA newsletters or journals, or is it not somethiing that you are interested in? This thread wasnt meant to be related to Arb Ac company, more so at subscription to the AA. How much irs subscription to the ISA and what are the different levels and associated costs do you know?. i just googles and found some articles they too look good..

See, there you go... Doesnt it feel better to be warm to people. haha. P.S. have you considered volunteering for santa, from previous posts, if remeber reading correctly, you have put a few pound on lately with your recent ill health? Every cloud and all that... Every little helps.. P.P.S. for the record before that gets jumped on as a fattest or weightest comment, I am 16st10lb and well in need of losing a good 3stone, and were we in a pub the reply from andy would be kettle and pot!!!!! and id buy him a dram

Dean this for me is not so much about competitive edge or business enhancement, i personally just enjoy being a member, i have had some very beneficial conversations with AA staff at the Arbshow and various other conferences I have attended over the last 16 years, not all of them wewre AA events but the AA were there demonstrtating or something else, all of which have benefited me in many ways. All be it, i could have still had those chats whether or not i paid membership or not. But the sense of giving my money to a UK industry body that I grew up knowing of, ticks a box in my theta values. And I have to add, that being given the opportunity to try and asssit the AA, through the AWG in maintaing, developing and promoting good arboriculture, is a privelage for me.

Have you been drinking, I wouldnt know how to!!!!!

What paul said to you was genuine, had he had said the same to you you would have thought huh templated answer. instead what you had was a personal message from a dear old man.... put a big smile on ya face and have a good weekend!!!!! lots of love jaime

Just to reiterate this isnt a question based on are you an ArbAc company, and would you be an arbac, it was more so in the sense of do you pay a subscription to the AA as a member whether that be associate level or corporate etc. I was always told when I was at college back in 1996 that being an AA member was a fine step to keeping upto date with industry information, with the development of the internet and Mr. Bullman jumping on the .com balloon and creating this fine little 'well big' baby, the search and ability to keep upto date has become a lot easier. I personally can never remember a thing i read off the computer screen and have to read it on paper at a time when I can digest the information, hence the need for a magazine or journal. I find the information very helpful especially when i was directing my studies for the Prof Dip exams and keeping abreadth of what was hot and was not. I guess I bought into the mindset that by supporting, what i see as my industry trade organisation in the UK, and subscribing and contributing to available funds I help my industry develop. One thing that always stuck in my mind, and bless the AA as I do not think they blow their own trumpet very well, was reading an article some ten years ago about the significant steps that the AA took to ensure that chainsaws were allowed to be used still in this country, as at the time the EU were considering banning them under emissions regulations. I may not have remebered this fact correctly but for some reason it sticks. I therefore do personally see it as a contribution to my industry. I do find myself using many of the now freely available downloads on the website reference H & S stuff, and the evermore growing business management stuff available,that we should really be adopting regardless of the comapny size and main client base; commercial or domestic. It would be interesting to speak to an insurance company and ask them if as a small two man band company if we do not do cossh, loler, puwer, electrical testing and all that jazz where would we stand should anything happen, most of this is readily available via the AA website; Just a quick question have any of the non members used AA merchandise whilst operating their business that they downloaded free of charge or were emailed via a friend? I hope that this post hasnt become a rant. i just thought that it would be good for the AA to be aware of how mnay people /members they have and where and what industry operatives thoughts are. I personally enjoy reading the journals etc available from the AA, the ISA stuff unfortunatley I do not read as I am not a member. Regards to whether or not my clients are bothered about it is irrelevant to me. I know that through my journal reading and also of the books, i can educate my customers clearly and concisely with current industry theory and best practice, and a lot of that comes from my AA membership and reading the newsletter and journal.

Dear All, As quite a considerable captive audience I was wondering what number of us are members of the Arboricultural Association? If you wouldnt mind could you just say yes if you are please. Also, if you are not then please do feel free to give reasons why you are not. I will ensure that the AA are aware of this thread and it will be utilised for any future development of the AA. Moderator hope that his thread is within the rules. Regards, Jaime

If he kept ringing me id probably end up saying that due to the fact that although he doesnt value my time I cetainly do, and that any future quote will require a fee to be paid upfront regardless of whether the quote is accepted or not.

Great machines the 27 hp really is a beast for such a machine. Keep the teeth changed and it will do big oaks no problem. One thing when you apply the handbrake type thingy, sometimes as it wears in you have to twist the knob at the top to get extra tension, always ensure that you backwind that knob as it eventually snaps the handbrake cable and they cost £150 plus vat to replace. Also be careful with the rubber matting its not the best quality and i ended up replacing mine with conveyor belt rubber which is far more durable. Grease the wheel regulary i.e. during the job not just the start of it too. Also behind the left wheel looking down the machine is where the drive cables are, keep them clean after each use. Watch that the throttle cable workings on top of the engine doesnt begin to stick too as trhis can stick in the on position. Checking belt tension, although awkward , is highly recommendable after first few hours and so on for a month or so after just to ensure they are spot on. Ill stop now as most of you more experienced grinders probably are not so paranoid of damaging stuff as i am. I get quite nervous at the thought of damaging them as theyre so expensive to repair. P.s. I installed a green teeth system called the tap and turn, great system but no longer available they do have a lockable version though now which seems reasonably quick to twist the teeth to a different position. Enjoy.. P.P.S stick a wheel clamp on it in your garage and when on the trailer, shows the thieves that it isnt really easy picking and yes it does show them what to expect but if they come looking best to know you have done all you could, i have other deterents too but i wont disclose on a public forum

It could be that he has considerably poor people skills and in his nervousness feels that so as to not get ripped off he has to be bolshy. Maybe his wife has him wrapped around her little finger and he feels the need to try and be similiar with other people. He may be a well educated man and sees such a craftman like industry as poultry. If once he had met you and realised that hey this chap (DN22) is a specialist in his field I should not have been so rude. He could turn out, once put in his place, to be a very good client. I have had both sides of the coin with silly people who will always know best, and then people who once put in there place and I baffle them with scientific reasons why they should not do this or that to their trees, realise and give you the credit deserved. I know some consultants who are introduced on site in strategic meetings as 'the tree man' not the Arboriculturist. I personally would have had to play him at his own game and turned the screw on him a little, give him a run for his money, and operate in a defensive manner in the sense of financial security to cover your backside. But curiosity did kill the cat, but I just cant resist these people, love the challenge of such customers. Do the sales pitch, go on heavy on price with as someone called it a type of tax, and he may recommend you to everyone at the rotary club.haha But to be fair, i dont do landscaping so it may be a different ball game with tiime consumption for quoting etc. Good luck any road.

Dear all, Not sure if AA techie has already done this, but for some time the AA has had a facebook page. It is usually updated quite frequently and has some good pointers and insights into what is happening at the AA and the industry. I havent a clue how to upload it but if someone with superior tech ability to me knows how to and wouldnt mind doing it, that would be much appreciated. Also, for members only, there is now e-news which is sent out by Pete Wharton of Media and Comms, make sure you sign up to it and ensure you receive it. A good addition to keep abreadth of what is happening within the industry. Keeeeeeeeep climbing!!!

Cliff Richard calender, best of cliff, a white suit for xmas day. On a serious note me and GF looked at cliff calender last year and couldnt stop laughing, it was hilarious. Low and behold, dearest mother heard about it and bought it for me. Thought oh what the heck i'll put it up in the workshop.. Never had such fun when servicing the saws.

Speaking as a contractor and not with any AA volunteer association in mind. You really have to do the course to get the right mindset about the information that is available 'free', it is a good course that clearly puts you on the right path to fulfilling this legal duty in whatever form you are legally required to; dependant on staff numbers. I did it about three years ago, and it proved very beneficial to how my business managed risk etc. Try it, you might like it, and at 95 quid i doubt you will complain at the end of the course.

Define an idiot in relation to arboriculture? If you asked the general public if they thought that someone roped into a tree with a piece of rope of 12mm diameter whilst using a chainsaw; sometimes in excess of 36'' long, then im sure a few people would say 'idiot'. It had been mentioned by a awg volunteer that employs a lot of people, that he is having a good few injuries related to pruning saw use, and hears of many too. After reading the various threads on injuries I thought that if a few pointers could be drafted up as a guide to their use then it may be of benefit. Especially to new comers to the industry. If as a boss you can hand somebody a 'how to guide' for a piece of equipment, especially if they havent used it before, then you are being prudent. If that guide has been produced by members of your industry on a chat forum and is a culmination of experiences and advice then it would be better than a 'one-mans' opinion guide, that many employers find themselves producing for staff. I think that many silky accidents do happen through complacency, time pressures, poor positioning, ignorance, etc, so if the ignorance can be highlighted with guidance and the others are highlighted within, then many new people to the industry will 'possibly' benefit through any production of guidance notes. Unfotunately, i believe there has been a change in the amount of common sense applied to many industries and situations, however if as an industry we just throw our arms up in the air and say 'buffoon', then things will never change and can only get worse. I like to think i have good common sense, however the sub-concious can be a terrible thing, and it makes you do things without thinking it through. I have had a couple of nicks on silkys. Accidents do and will continue to happen. All we can do is mitigate the opportunities and occurances of them. But, if we could ban idiots we would all be safer!!!! P.S. I am left handed... But i consider myself more a buffoon than a clown thankyou!!!

It was more so for when your pushing the saw back to the start position to begin another pull, and the saw bites on the tree. When your hands wet from sweat or rain, it sometimes slides down and you get that lovely feeling as it goes through your skin.

Its as if there should be a maximum diameter of timber that saw blades should be able to cut through. When ever I used to use my foldable saw on bigger branches the propensity to slide my hand further towards the blade was increased. How often do you think it is the saw holding hand that is injured/cut? Or, is it the branch holding hand/arm thats comes into contact with the pruning saw more so? Thanks for your advice.

Dear All, With the continued pictures of accidents from the use of handheld pruning saws, and a few mentions of it within the AWG meetings we hold, I thought it maybe of benefit for us all to share our experiences with these saws, and also enable us to highlight how those experiences have caused us to alter how we; position ourselves; position our hands; hold the saw; consider what diameter of wood we cut through; use a strap or cord to attach it to your harness so it can be dropped at will; whether we use them at all; general tips that we can give to others that may give food for thought to the industry. I used to use silkys with a considerable amount of 'whatever trevor' attitude towards them, until i had a bit of a nick that pulsed for some time. They are nasty bits of kit to use, and should not be used without respect and the same planning as you would apply to a chainsaw. Please add your tips and experience influenced advice as you see fit too. I shall use this thread to direct and asssit the AA's AWG with the production of the guidance note that will be held on the AA's website under 'Help for Arborists' Thanks Jaime

At this present time I am unaware of any legislation that is even in the pipeline. I say at this present time to prevent me having egg on my face in the future. But I personally find it hard to see how a small hamndsaw could have legislation applied to it. Not all too familiar with PUWERs full extensive range so unable to comment. Hopefully common sense by operatives should reduce the need for any legislation. But maybe that common sense would be better provided in some form of guidance and considerations. I will start a thread for safe use.

Funnily enough the AWG are looking into the issue. It has been mentioned a couple of times in other business for us to work on, and here is the proof that some best practice may be required; for referencing at least.

You forgot to add skip lorries to your list!!!!!!

I used to use petrol on the metal etc and soapy water for the air filters. Saws would gleam. Do this whilst soaking the chain in old saw oil. Great job. Then someone mentioned complressors and i thought it would be too expensive and cumbersome in my small garage. Ended up buying a 1.25hp compressor for a bout 125 quid from machinemart, it makes such a difference and is compact, but pressured enough to clean up the saws etc.

I find flashers just get you in trouble.... You take your eyes off them for a second and theyre right up behind you.. best to keep yourself to yourself and let them pass you by.. N.B. We are talking about the highway code here are'nt we???????????