Doug Blease

There is plenty of literature on the subject. Do you know the tree species mix?

John, try Mike Holden 01243 263939 (MH Timber Services) He might be able to help you or give you a contact for someonelse in that area. Doug Blease

Funny how some trees are imprinted in your memory! I wonder why!

Are you only interested in big elms?

Who cares what height it was? Still not a small tree.

I wont disagree that the timber is an awful waste, but different countries and different regions have different timber markets. I am a fan of sawmilling timber but havent we all at some point logged up perfectly good timber because the millers dont want to pay for it or there isnt a market, transport, storage etc etc? As far as road closures and cranes are concerned. I lived in Italy for two years and they have a totally different transport structure to us. Diversions and the like are rarely practical therefore road closures tend to be completely disruptive. Car accidents and landslides are often the only closures. For all the crane experts out there, have you ever not been able to use a crane becuase of wayleaves, ground structure, width of road, measurements between buildings/structures, crane companies unwilling etc etc? Some are so quick to critisise with absolutley no way of knowing the job details and issues. Cant we just appreciate the video for what it is? Maybe they use a crane four times out of five for all we know? This one was maybe just different.... Doug Blease

I am sure the health benefits are a big plus. The best way to recycle is to re-use. Transport is one of the worlds biggest sources of green house gas emissions. Aspen is transported by road and boat all the way from Sweden. This is where the high cost comes from. Aspen now sells clean diesel I think, is that what is being used in the lorries and boats....think not....too expensive? Therefore how much does this company actually care for our environment? I mean, we are being told we should be using cleaner fuels at a higher cost, but does Anglo American fuels use cleaner fuel to get this product to us at a higher cost? Is that not hypocritical? Sorry, misunderstood the point about packaging for 2stroke oil. You wont use 5 litres of 2stroke oil per day like the 5 litres of Aspen and it can be bought in larger capacities. A small number of large 2stroke canisters can also be easily re-used for transporting and storing other oils. I donate all my larger oil packaging to farmers for carrying red diesel to machinery in the fields. e.g. Combine Harvesting. I was really addressing the problem of the 5 litre Aspen fuels. I dont think this product is really aimed at us, more the domestic user. However, if that is the way you buy it, what are you going to do with the endless 5 litre bottles? I would wager a bet that MOST local authorities will not recycle these. Also the recycling process is MASSIVELY energy inefficient.

Jamie, Is that the Birch in Cults? If not there is another just like it. I wondered if it was a DIY job. About ladder height, and cuts about as far as you can reach with a bow saw. DB

Richard, not the same as 2stroke mix as the fuel you buy is mostly refined in the UK. Aspen is refined in Sweden and travels all the way here by boat and road. No packaging waste when you fill up at the fuel station, although Aspen packaging is recycleable. However does your local authority recycle it? I did ask the Aspen rep about it and he did eventually give me a full reply. At first though I have to say he was a bit "stand offish" in his language. As in, how dare I ask about the bigger environmental picture. The reason I asked is, the current advertising claims that it is better for your health, which I agree with. However it also states "Environmentally friendly". I consider our environment to be the planet as a whole. Considering the work we do with trees has large positive and negative effects on the national carbon sink, i think we should consider the bigger picture. After all this I have decided to consider the use of Aspen. Primarily because it is refined from the waste gas of the original refining process, which I deem as a big plus. Presumably it is otherwise "flared off". Note however that I did ask the Aspen guy to send me a price for 205l plus delivery to my postcode...... ......no reply. Doug

I thought it was a good video. Bearing in mind how difficult it can be getting a crane into MOST sites, how do you guys know that "insisting" on a crane would have been even possible? You have to presume that these guys are a fairly efficient crew, therefore I am sure it was done in the most efficient way possible. Doug Blease

A call to Watchdog I presume? Sounds a bit dodgy to me????

Make sure your not getting more than just CS39 for your £400 and three days. Assessment usually extra. Make sure thats not £220 plus £180 for the assessment. There must be some difference between the two prices.

Spooky! Did you climb it?

Used Bobcat / skidsteer would be better.

Ring HSE. The guy is accepting payment for the job (£20). Therefore is providing a charged for service.

I must warn you that working in Alford is like declaring Clan war Hope it goes well, stay safe. Doug Blease

I think its a bit of a shame that so many are dead against the AA. You dont have to join if you dont want to. I pay a student subscription to them while I study for my degree, which I find quite good value for money. I dont see the pressure to be an AAAC unless your main competitor for LA work is getting all the work over you. As mentioned there are many quality assurance schemes which we could all sign up for, all optional, all with various benefits for staff, employer and customer. Take your pick. I have some reservations about the AA however they are a useful training provider and publish a decent amount of informative material. Those that think their training courses are too expensive...arent all courses expensive? I havent come across one yet which isnt a financial decision whether to do it or not. Also it reduces your insurance premium probably more than your annual subscription. Doug Blease

I believe you can do your own kit. I guess it will sometimes be a dirty job.

Jamie, Very interesting course. Hard assessment. Less than 50% pass rate. I loved the course, passed the written exam and tripped up on the practical. So re doing it next month. I dont see why it is not financially viable. At some of the prices quoted here for LOLER, even doing your own kit, the course will pay itself back quite quickly. Doug Blease

A bit dissappointed that some still do not regard RA as an important factor in the day to day running of their business. I hate competing for work against some local companies to me who I know for sure do not consider H+S. It shows a huge lack of respect for their staff, customer and industry. As a proportion of my work has been freelance over the last few years I have met really really good employees who are totally demotivated because they are under trained and feel that their well being is not catered for during their days work. On the flipside there is staff out there who can work harder and more effectively because their employer cares for their health and safety. Therefore the quality of work automatically increases. Its not a difficult thing to set up and anything arbtalk can do to help should be embraced. Doug Blease

I am very interested in using Aspen fuels but as an Environmental management student I am curious about where Aspen is imported from. As well as being better for your health, the blurb does state that it is better for the environment. This may be the case but I have a feeling that once you cost in the energy required to package, import and transport fuel which is not refined in the UK in comparison to re-filling your re-usable fuel canisters at your local fuel station, I bet it would shock us all. At present the UK rep cannot supply this information. Which again also indicates that the company as awhole is not aware of the larger environmental issues. I will let you know what the result is. Unless anyone else has researched into this. Those of you who use Aspen. What do you do with the empty packaging? Is it recycleable or landfill? Doug Blease

I also have seven new Arb puppies! Working labradors now three weeks old. Will put pics when I have taken them.

Personally I wouldnt put it in your helmet. Worst case you are bleeding AND you have a suspected head/spine injury and the helmet should not be removed. I keep mine in the vehicle first aid kit so everyone knows where it is. Doug Blease

Thanks Kevin, Unfortunately SAC are almost completely unable to organise extra curricular courses these days. I have been studying with them for a couple of years now. It alright, hopefully my local training centre should be sorting it out asap. There was an answer phone message today so will hopefully be sorted by monday. DB

What about a big Heizohack? Can be hired from anyone nationally I think. I have a pal with one in Sussex, I think it goes allover the place on a low loader for big clearance and Biomass chipping. PM me if you want his details.