richy_B

You can reclaim the VAT element provided you are registered. You cannot reclaim DUTY. The US retailer should not charge you sales tax as you are exporting, you just need evidence it will be exported immediately.

Yes, that kind of thing. I'd add some skids to I can lift it on and off with a forklift.

Yeah. I have a height adjustable towbar so my initial idea was buy a spare coupling section, weld up a some box section going straight back then angle or channel sections to make a kind of slot for the wheels. Also a section t'ing to bolt the rest of the frame to. I don't think it would be that complicated as it's barely 100kg. Just the vibration to keep an eye on. I'd attach a large chain to it as well incase it ever failed and fell off the back. In a day I might prune 150 trees but only produce a couple of cubes of chip/shred so ne tip back at the yard should be easy. This particular job doesn't include Limes so there are just a handful of finger sized branches per tree.

Really like that set up for the trailer/m500. I was thinking of making a tow bar mount for my m200 to go on the back of a transit tipper. I do quite a bit of road side basal growth. Super handy to be able to stop in a normal space, jump out, quick prune, chip a handful of branches and away again.

Just read about this. Sounds like a kick back and caught him in the neck. Poor bugger.

If you follow the letter of the law then I suppose the company are going to be found liable as there were measures that could have been taken to avoid or severely minimise such an incident. That said you would hope a reasonable person would say it was an unfortunate accident and all parties have suffered enough without fines and charges.

Going to be hard to trailer that about with an attachment - 2850kg with standard bucket. Nice looking unit though.

Useful video - thanks for posting. I have a 516 but hopefully similar.

I've never taken mine apart. Could you soak it in degreaser then put a pressure washer on it? Scrubbing brush/tooth brush for the stubborn bits perhaps.

The cost of the replacement item will be 100% deductible if you are still in your allowance (which is £200k I think). In principle you would assume you can accelerate the depreciation of the item to zero as it has been stolen, which is tax deductible. What is you arrangement for depreciating assets in your business?

These sound like a bargain.

I'd agree. I know several people who do 30k miles a year. A lot could happen in 3 years.

This is the move (nicked from google)

I did my B + E a few years back and I had been towing heavy trailers daily for years before (boats and agri equipment). I would have classed myself as a very competent tow'er but it was worth doing a days training before the test. They don't necessarily teach you to use a trailer, they teach you how to pass a test to show you can tow a trailer. Saying the right thing, making it obvious you are checking the right thing, etc. I actually found the reversing manoeurve a bit tricky. You need to reverse in to coned area adjacent to you. I, as many of us, are constantly reversing chipper and trailers up and down drives, 3 point turning a trailer on tight roads, etc but found this a move one I wasn't comfy with. To be fair I think it was the lack of objects around me that made it more difficult. I've done the same thing reversing up a lane way but without the banks/hedges you can't quite tell you are on track.

Exactly. If its losing you significant amounts of work then surely its a fairly essential 'overhead'. I fully appreciate its another cost to add to an already long list but the increased access to work surely helps cover this.

Indeed. You could probably haggle 5% off new price as well.

Part of choice for the tank too. Over 500l knocked 12p off.

I use QB online. I'd recommend it. Couple of minor complains (cant drag and drop a pdf invoice from outlook directly and syncing issues with Barclays) but pretty good still. Good for VAT, seems easy enough for payroll although there is still manual setting up/confusing bits when setting up a new employee).

I am not necessarily a fan of trade associations/schemes but i am sure we can all appreciate that customers often want reassurance. This is often in the form of 'being able to look you up'. You may be an excellent arborist but if you a sole trader without a commercial facility perhaps not VAT registered then a customer can't really independly verify who you are. You could just be a name, mobile phone number and word press website. If your competitor is a LTD company with VAT number, AA registered, business address, etc then a customer can see how long you have been trading, that tax is being paid and so on and so forth. Its makes them feel safer/more confidemt in their purchase. If i am spending £500+ I have quick look at the supplier. 30 seconds and you can see company records, directors details and check a VAT number is legit. Its not any criticism of ability, its just outward appearance/perception. If you feel you are losing business because you aren't AA approved then the answer is to invest in gaining membership. Hoops to jump through but thats business.

That looks like a neat and tidy little unit.

Yeah, it was pricey but if you look at the costs of the fittings and stuff it soon adds up. Plus I wanted clean IBC. I reckon you could get years out of it too. I'm happy with mine.

I've had it filled loads of times and never any issues with them filling it.

I have one of these - 640 litres. Manual pump on the top, valves and hose. Bit skinnier than a normal IBC. Never had any issues with condensation. The manual pump is a bit of a faff sometimes as you need two people or to be able to park right next to the tank so you can hold the nozzle and pump at the same time. Often I just fill a jerry can from the tank and then in the machine. Not ideal but I only run smaller machines with circa 20 litre tanks. Got it new from smith of dean. Would recommend it/them.

2 men and a chipper is useful, I'd imagine with a loader you be far better placed just offering machine and operator, what would the role of the second person be?

Hello, Looking for a S426 shredder, road tow version. Not a common machine but if anyone is selling or knows of anyone PM me. Thanks.