Doug Blease

Has anyone any experience of the larger diameter Liros rigging ropes. In particular in comparison to Yale Esterlon? I loved the Yale, but the price of the Liros is quite reasonable I see. Replacing Yale gets quite expensive every time an inexperienced groundsman cuts it on the ground!

As a self confessed Stihl fan (I dont own any other brand) I am following the comments on quality, design and price increase with interest. I have alway had great customer service form Stihl dealers and from the company itself on occassion and obvious reliability of the product. Last year I purchased a 260 to replace a small Jonsered I had as a medium sized climbing saw. I also purchased an 660. This year I would like to replace my top handled 020. I bought this saw in 2000 and it still fires up and has plenty of go left in it. I have really abused this saw over the last ten years, its had a couple of holidays while I was employed, but other than that has worked hard and earnt the money for me. It seems obvious to replace this saw like for like. But with the negative press recently, I have got to ask, what is there out there on the horizon that will rival the longevity and service I have had from the Stihl top handled professional saw?

Mi6 mission eh? Top secret! I would like to invest in this kit this year. Havent heard a bad review yet and Reg has been very clever and informative in how he has introduced his product to us here. Credit where credits due.

Steve! Wheres the head cam video from your pine job????

Looks good! Aesthetics are the spec for an essentially ornamental garden tree.

Treemajic is the same for me. Its very light, lots of loops for kit, plenty of adjustment. But every now and again it pushes your boys into your stomach! I have had it about three months, just going through the motions of trying all adjustment options. Great harness otherwise. No pinch on the hips when using the side D's which is a big plus for me.

Stubbs copse in Arundel, if thats not too far.

Well mate, only unwritten gentlemans agreements. I would probably use his service now. a) cheaper b) newer machine c) easier delivery Your not stealing anyones idea, you have invested in a plant hire business. Your prices and delivery are different. But whats your convincer?

Does sound interesting. Buy a lorry load of Sitka, hire the kindlet, process, store and sell at your convenience.

Sounds a bit cut-throat!

Anything is worth a try. I really wish I could splice rope!

The Boa is, and I beliieve the yale SS is the same. Happy to be corrected.

David, Say hello to Chris for me. You guys work hard there at Crathes. All the best! Monkey D? Are you coming back some day?

I have both and I like them. Used Boa for years, wears well. Silverstreak is new to me. Took a while to bed in and grip like the Boa. Boa good from day one.

Be honest now Mick. You made Mrs Stockbridge do all the winch work, then you just posed for the picture! Gloryhog!! Well done Mrs S! Hope you get a dividend from the Purdy gun stock dollars!

Where are you based Robert? We now have a good 9/10 inches all over again. Very annoying!

Do you have that set up in every tree you work in? Just in case. Then super-groundsman can jump in and get to you? Or is it just for practicing in?

Out of interest, how do you get the whole thing level with the log? Surely where the log sits wont be level?

Creeeaaaak.....THUMP......YEAH! Good job buddy. Cheers for the videos. What was the total job hours? Probably less than editing.

See the BBC news website for the objections to the Wild Nature Reserve plans of a guy up here who is introducing Elk, Boar, Wolves etc. It all requires massive fencing. Venison is definately back on peoples plate. The price of venison has never been so high. Most of the deer shot at Ben Nevis are left on the hill. There is little access for ATV/Quad/Argocat vehicles, and erosion from these machines is a big no-no on JMT Wild Land. The most pro-active thing they do is carry out huge transect recordings in order to quantify the impact of grazing.

Its just the pressure from Deer. Way too much. Cannot fence due to JMT policy on wild land. There is one stalker to cover the whole area, AND the whole of Schaehallion in Perthshire. Not possible in my opinion. When the bad weather comes, the Red Deer come down into the forest for shelter and eat all the years new shoots. Any members of the JMT should be aware of the problems facing this habitat, and apply pressure for a more intolerant view of deer impacts on this resource.

I would say, a commitment to constant leaning is the key. I am on the final road to having a degree, and there is no jobs screaming at me. Which leaves me wondering if I will be working in the practical side for another 10 years. If I am, then I will carry on working, learning and clocking up the qualifications. Money isnt just flying around at the moment. Your probably earning just as much on the forklift, as you would as a newcomer to the practical forestry/arb world. With a lot less headache. If you are free to move around the country, there is some amazing courses on offer, with great deals on student funding to keep you off the jobseekers list!

Thank god!

I was there to write a report for my degree on how well the John Muir Trust (JMT)is doing in achieving its objective to expand the forest. I kind of slated them, then found out it is being second marked by a board member of the JMT. Oh dear.

Just a short drive. The UK is a tiny place!