richy_B

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.

I like the little fleming. I was considering a 1.5t myself. Looks like good value.

Had the little AGT again for flailing brambles today. Steep banks and dodging flytips mainly! I am constantly impressed what terrain these little alpines can work on.

I wasn't aware Hewdens had gone belly up. I dismissed their email as just another auction. Be interesting to see some of the results.

Cheers David, interesting thread. Looks great for parks sites but perhaps not appropriate for my needs.

Width is a key point. For me it is not a valid comparison with machines that go through a standard gate and ones that don't.

I think I might be put off the idea already! Cheers for the input guys.

Sounds like a non starter then.

I am looking at at getting an air spade for our street tree planting work. There is always the risk of services but it might also reduce physical work (compared to a bar and long handle shovel). We are aiming to dig a 50cm x 50 cm x 50 cm hole in a mix of subbase, soil & london clay. I am sure the air spade is capable of this but I don't think we'd have the vaccuum unit due to cost and bulk. I thought once 'loosened' it could be shovelled out. We'd buy the air spade, hose and cone tors and hire a compressor (125cfm is readily available locally but could go bigger). I did have a chat air-vac and looked at the small spade and vac unit mounted on a muck truck. It looked great but was £25k without a compressor - so a non starter. Any thoughts or reviews?