Jon Lad
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Everything posted by Jon Lad
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I find that no matter how careful I am at work, my back will flare up when I am doing something like getting something out of a cupboard in the kitchen or reaching to get at something out of the boot. But your right about not lying down with a bad back if you can help it. I found taking ibuprofen to initially take the edge off when you start work then as you get into it and it wears off, the back pain isn't so bad once you've got got it moving. But as I said I haven't had much of a problem since I stopped going to the chiro and letting my back get the crap kicked out of it!
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I hope it goes ok for you and wish you all the best pal, I think you've obviously got the right ideas to go about it. This website is a great idea, I wish I'd found it ages ago.
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I used to go to this chiropractor for my back, stopped going for a bit and the pain stopped! I think the treatment was doing more damage than the work was!
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Is there alot of competition where you are?
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It gets harder though in other ways, 17 years in this game I find the niggling little aches and pains take longer to get over. In fact my one bit of advice for anyone coming into this job, particularly if your older, would be to make sure you lift things properly and don't try and break any weight lifting records! If you have any latent injuries, you can be sure doing this job will find them out.
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That true, but you just have to push your business on as much as you can regardless of who your up against. There are a few more firms around the area, some I've never heard of so they must be travelling from a fair way off, as I know or know of most of the firms round here. In business if you approach things the right way, you can penetrate any market, I don't envy you trying to get a business established now though. What made you want to get in to tree work? I would have thought you'd make a reasonable do with grounds maintenance, these days people love having gardens, but don't want to do any gardening!
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There is loads of competition. Wetherby is between Leeds, York and Harrogate so all the firms from those places and everywhere in between are in the catchement area for work. I think though that if you do a good job and don't bull people with prices, word gets around. People like to use local tradesmen, I know that I do myself.
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I run my own small business based in Wetherby, I have been since '01. Before that I worked for other firms here and abroad, I did a NCH at Merrist Wood in '96 and the Tech. Cert. via Askham Bryan in 2000. I generally cover a 15 mile radius of Wetherby, I only travel further if I have to.
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Myerscough College run distance learning courses I think, or get in touch with the RFS direct at Tring they would be able to tell you of any organizations running that course as home study. There is Dave Dowson at Tree Life Consultancy who run courses, but I think they may just be for the Tech.Cert. and the Prof.Dip. The alternative would be to do a short course somewhere but this would be expensive as it might not be feasible to commute. I started the Part time degree course at Myerscough about 5 years back, one day a week. I thought I could do it but the travelling, the coursework and running my own business was just too much.
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Have you thought about doing any arb qualifications? RFS Certificate or I.S.A. Certified Arborist? It might give you more confidence dealing with customers and when you talk to local tree firms.
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The only problem is local tree firms you approach might think that: 1. They would get a chance at quoting for the work independently of you passing it on. And 2. For them they might see it as teaching Archie, someone who eventually might be a competitor. What do you do by way of tree work at the moment?
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bggc are you wanting to get into tree work and stop doing ground maintenance? Or do you just want to diversify into another area in addition to your existing business?
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I have a lot of respect for people who come into this job later in life. When you're young accidents are things which happen to other people and you don't think about how dangerous it is. Combined with how physically demanding and mentally stressful climbing is, I think it is tough for someone to begin a career in tree work when they are older and shows real strength of character to stick with it.
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Hi Steve
Joined arbtalk this week. What a great site, if you set it up - fantastic idea, well done.
Its pretty addictive though!
Jon Foster
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Congratulations! You must have started early - grandad at 49!
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Thanks for the feedback. Really useful.
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I have a Jensen A328 and have 3 sets of blades. I have them sharpened by Saturn Machinery at Rotherham, they always do a good job on them. One set will soon need replacing and I know that Saturn make their own blades for most makes of chipper. Has anyone bought a set for their machine? How did they compare to the genuine blades? They had a stand at the APF and I was looking at them there, but would like to hear from anyone who has used them, before I buy decide to buy a set myself.
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Self-employed arborist (min 3 yrs experience) required for 2-3 days per week by small firm with steady work load. Should have own climbing kit (LOLER compliant) and climbing saw, NPTC certs and NCH, ND or other recognized arb. qualification. Must be familiar with full range of general work: dismantling; pruning; rigging techniques; reduction of tall hedges; trimming and shaping of hedges and individual shrubs; renovation of old fruit trees etc. Rate of pay negotiable, dependent upon experience and ability.
