LGP Eddie

I don’t care if they want more money, just take it fairly instead of propping up something that if it was normal business would be made to stand on it’s own two feet. Eddie.

No it’ll not happen, Farmers will as ever be exempt for whatever reason and then continue to diversify into cutting a slice out of anything they can with a bit of exemption help. Eddie.

The abuse will increase as they really have the advantage then, plus the Farm off sales of red will flourish nicely! White straight through would sort the job out and if food goes up so what, it’s too cheap anyway and half of it is pure shite in a packet. Eddie.

Same as when they haul Diggers to site with their Tractors on Red, and undercut all the Plant lads and Hauliers, we feel it massively too thanks. Eddie.

If they’re going to do it, then just do it! No exemptions or tax back for anyone, level the field finally. Eddie.

Triggers broom I suppose? But machines somehow seem to die a natural death of getting ever more shagged out, sold onto more occasional users who aren’t so fussy as long as it digs, or exported to countries that will be more than pleased to see anything that replaces manual labour. Some quite fresh machines can end up straight in the dismantlers these days for Computer, DPF, Engines etc. They don’t build them like they used to as they say, and they also don’t train old school fitters. No disrespect to anyone but hard to disagree the industry is geared to quick diagnostic and full part replacement, instead of old school take it off and fix it! Eddie.

Probably the best small setup I’ve ever used. It’s got the Engcon DC2 system that I’m not a fan of, but the rest is a great setup as it’s an Ec02 with the correct S30 Hitch for this size machine, and older style top hitch which is far less bulky than the latest version. Operating it you hardly know the Tilty is on. The Cab’s are a good size for a zero tail and it’s capable of a serious amount of work in a day. Shaun kept it 100% in terms of maintenance, and always has his kit mint looking. Hours go against it, but you’d have to buy on condition I suppose. Eddie.

My good friend Shaun Gratton’s old setup just come up. This had the very best of first owner and is a brilliant setup to use. The Komatsu mini’s are totally overlooked by most, but are fantastic bits of kit. Eddie.

I don't know a lot about them, some are factory Two piece boom units and some have had them done third party at huge expense. I'd agree with you, would have been expensive new and will make someone a nice setup. Eddie.

Rare tool, with a loyal following just come onto Twitter. Eddie.

Had the JS out with the Engcon Ec209 and TMK300 Tree Shear out recently. My mate Ollie at the controls and despite some horrendous conditions and a site where they’ve continued to try to run Dumptrucks despite the weather, he’s had no issues with having the big slippers fitted. Eddie. IMG_3311.MP4 IMG_3307.MP4

Try again

Where do you actually intend to work?? Yes you can find yourself in the situation of needing both FMOC and CPCS cards. Your thoughts are like everyone else’s! Eddie.

No thanks, I’m happy pulling the levers, but I’d have no issues sitting down with other Contractors, HSE, CPCS etc and see if we could actually clear a path to something like the Demolition Industry model. They now lead the way in utilising machines and attachments to undertake projects, and have managed to turn what was perceived as the absolute cowboys of the Industry, into a professional industry able to almost self regulate and provide best practices. Or we could just leave it to FISA and the HSE because if it involves Trees it must be Forestry! Eddie.

Need an Association of De-Veg Contractors or the like to begin to push back and get some of this sorted out, rather than having it thrust upon us by people who’ve never done it but think they can pull it under their umbrella for more revenue. It’s not Forestry, it’s not Arb, Mechanised De-Vegetation I’d say is the best description of what is an ever growing industry and it comes with it’s own issues. Eddie.

As said before the NPORS and CPCS are now working together, you get an NPORS with CPCS logo. Stamp your feet all you like, many won’t let you on without a CSCS element of some form. Can’t see the issue, do the ticket they want and charge accordingly. I had a Client insist on SafeContractor or absolutely no go whatsoever. No problem, straight on the invoice or I’m not coming! Time it was all shook up anyway and went the way of Demolition, where the Industry got together to work out best practice and guide the HSE and Card Schemes to produce something worthwhile. We’re stuck in the crazy situation where loads go for FMOC and for sites nobody would look at it, a basic CPCS will cover you no problem. Oh and don’t forget your £££ Safety Critical Medical, must be under 2 years from date for many now!? Eddie.

All depends where you work, pulled this week for all tickets/daily check sheets/machine 12 monthly and sling loler certs. Given a sticker for my hat to confirm all was in order. It’s just how it is these days, all boxes were ticked, they wouldn’t have given a toss if I’d never sat in that brand of machine, got my ticket in a raffle last week or used the attachment before, as long as everything was present and correct. Eddie.

You can convert npors to cpcs, so it’s basically NPORS CSCS Card - NPORS NPORS.COM Apply for your NPORS/CSCS card today! Get One | Get In | Get On The Key to Getting Your Job Done In... Do over 10 tonne it should get you both categories in one. Eddie.

Replaceable blade would be nice bud definitely looks strong. They’re all replaceable, but you’d have to be going some to ever need it. Eddie.

Took a look around the OMEF 300 Shear on this very nice CAT 315FL. Looks a really well built straightforward unit, massive ram and I liked the the addition of the stinger in the blade. Could only really pick it up on where the hoses exit the main body as they’ll get creamed straight off, but not a big issue to sort. Proof is in the pudding as they say, but I can see why they’re getting about. Eddie.

Been out on the M6 with a 22 Metre Long Reach and the Felling Head myself this week. Great setup for the slope work and the Felling Head ensures nicely presented material for chipping and a decent bit of product too. Eddie.

Just a few of my mate Ollie out with his Duck setup I showed previously on a project that I looked at for my Liebherr setup. I could have done it, but it simply didn’t need that much muscle. A very simple solution was available in the form of step cutting them whilst being safely held with a grab, then simply skid them up the road into the grasp of the awaiting Chipper. Great to see a well setup Duck doing it’s stuff roadside, and 52 conifers safely removed exactly to plan including a sweep up was a tidy 5 hour nights work in anyone’s book. Eddie.

Pipe it into the offset boom via a 6 way valve. Low flow anyway and control it off the foot pedal. Eddie.

I had an Arson attack on a large excavator insured with JCB. They were fantastic throughout, but the whole process took 10 days off a year until the machine was returned but they paid out no problem. Premiums basically doubled after, and this week I’ve noticed they’re really tightening up on Hired Plant Insurance with my latest quote being almost double the previous with the excess jumping from £500 to £2500. I’ve never had a claim on Hired Plant, and have spent serious money over the years for cover, but this renewal really is a jump. Hired Plant cover is one so many overlook or simply don’t have enough cover for. Remember if you hire a machine and it’s coming under standard CPA model conditions, you basically are responsible for it, and not only that if it’s put out of action, you’ll be responsible for the loss of earning until it’s suitably replaced. It’s not hard these days to top £100k when hiring in kit, and many will need £250k plus single item cover for the big chippers etc. Some companies will charge you a percentage of invoice to Insure it themselves, but always make certain it’s firmly established who’s insuring what before kit lands and don’t leave yourself wide open by chancing it, as even having a 1.5 tonne excavator stolen you’ve hired in is going to be a fair old bill. Eddie.

The main debate we’ve been having is what’s best to equip it with as the main weapon, considering it’s already a 300mm cut basic shear under the Tiltrotator, grab etc. c350 Westtech with no Tiltrotator, as most Roadside guys are using? Go with a 350 to 400mm cut range Shear with cut and hold specifically built for under the Tiltrotator? Or lastly go with a Grapple Saw and the can of worms that can bring? Been some conversations I can tell you!! Eddie.