richy_B

The only options I thought of where: The classic p*key rope to unload the brash - but obviously this involves getting in and out of the tractor loads amd having a suitable tree to tie off against. Converting a buckrake so it worked like a tip tip bucket. Would work off one DA and avoids the height issues. Problem is the risk of damage to he ram and piping. Converting a land clearance grapple from a front loader. These have much shorter tines so the load would just drop. The issue is probably weight of implement and reduced load capacity. Something like this -

I looked at exactly what you mentioned - buck rake with a claw/grab fitted. Ive only got one DA hydraulic so tipping as well wasn't an easy option. Also on the alpines i don't think we have sufficient height to tip effectively.

I find motorbike d locks good for power tools during the day when you might be away from your vehicle. D lock through each saw handle then through a welded loop on the vehicle bed. Don't leave anything in your vehicle overnight. I clear our pickups out over night and leave the backs open with the lid up. Better for scum bags to see there is nothing in there rather than smash a window/lock to find out. For chipper trailer security - put them in a container then fork a jersey barrier/concrete block on front of the door. Butt contains together to reduce side attacks. Weld on a heavy duty loop to the floor just below the axle, chain the trailer axle to this. Makes it really awkward to get in to cut. 12v contact alarm on inside of container doors.

Spraying is effective. You just need to be patient. Tell them it has a management plan in place. Spray twice a year, 1st and 3rd week of September for the next 5 years.

Would the industry be a safer place if insurers had to ask for proof in advance? I suspect so. Quote over the phone, scans of certs within 14 days. Bit more paperwork but I'd welcome it.

I like this. Don't get me wrong, I love big machines and the efficiencies they bring but this example of a straight forward low impact woodland work is so appealing.

Firstly, I have no where near the experience of many on this thread! I try to have the blade behind me when digging/trenching on my mini digger as you get more down force. If you try it back to back (blade in front/compared to blade behind) if should be pretty noticeable. Less relevant on heavier machines but big improvement on a 1.5t. When back filling, grading or loading I have the blade in front of me so you are not chasing the material around. When I am using my grapple I tend to be using the full 360 rotation so blade positioning compared to work is not really applicable. I just put it at the best position to steady/level the machine. If I am working with heavy lifts (lifts where you are probably pushing your luck!?!) I keep the blade forward and try not to rotate beyond the 45 degrees odd over the blade. Ie if I am lifting a big log into a trailer I keep it all facing forwards. As said, many more experienced guys than me but that's my approach.

Agreed. I'd spend a few hundred on a 30/31 course and a day chipper ticket. Then try and find someone who will give you a few months work.

The points and penalty things would be a big issue to me. I appreciate you are in control and choose how you drive but the if you are on the road all day everyday you really increase your chances of getting points. I'm London based but I expect the same for most large cities - large vehicles make it easy to get box junctions tickets, tickets for double yellows, etc, etc. You can argue them but it still takes time and hassle.

They never ask until a claim arises generally. If you say you want PL to do tree work they might ask if you are qualified to do so, etc. You just reply yes and they'll sell you it. If drop a branch on a passers-by who then makes a claim you bet they be asking for the lot (certs, risk assessments, kit records, etc).

I'm 99% sure it only works if your entitlement is on a higher weight class. Ie if you have a c1+e you automatically get b+e. Not the other way though.

This is what I end up doing (mainly on trailer wheels). You pay an extra £15-20 for the steel wheel but it's usually a tenner ago to change a tyre at my local place and you have to find time to pop in and wait. I was able to sell a set of 4 mixed and worn tyres/wheels on ebay for £30 so I nearly broke even.

Yes, saw this. It looks like a decent machine and I assume it willl share quite a few components with the 125 chipper, which i did use for a few years. Its just not a widely used machine and if TW aren't making it anymore, it has got be slightly concerned. I am going to get one hire for a week and see what i think.

Should be fine. I had a tw150 on a 8x5 plant trailer. Only issue is if it's caged.

What I find crazy is how the powers that be allow it to get to this stage. I appreciate there are a lot of complexities to it but surely when it gets to a point that someone might owe you a billion euro then you start to seriously look at it. When they owe you 3 billion euro you maybe you put a team on. I don't blame Apple in this scenario. They do what businesses do, maximise profit. Ethical, moral, decent - all a matter of perspective. Who I blame is the tax authorities for not doing their jobs properly. Closing down loop holes quicker updating rules and regulations and monitoring large companies. They are sh*t hot on issuing us small business and self employed with £100 fines if you are a day late filing your returns but will allow billions to to be lost from big players.

No chance. They'll pay a portion to allow the government's to save face. A few billion but nowhere near the full amount. They huge companies have to much power. They can simply say they will pull their offices/tax centres from the country (ies) involved. Apple employs over 100k people and have a million odd supplier jobs attributed to their operations. There will be plenty of countries who will cut them a deal so they have options.

Indeed! I wonder if they'd accept my offer to repay £18 a week....

Imagine that tax bill landing on your door mat!

Vacancy for a couple of ground workers for some basal growth pruning work and similar works. 7:30-3:30, 3-5 days a week. Several weeks to a couple of months for the right people. All tools, fuel and PPE provided. PAYE or self employed. PM for more info.

It can't be long until they all adopt 3500kg towing weight. I notice the new transit has a 3500kg tow option (6500 GTW I believe)

True but the insurer has to consider you might doze off at some point and mow over a bunch of picnicing parishiners!

Not entirely confident about putting my mini digger in my 3017/tippers. Its 1670kg so well within the limits and you can get it centred but it just feels to high. Not done any proper A/M road driving in it yet though.

I had exactly the same thing with my 3017. The bar didn't seem strong enough for therampsbut that is where it connects. Checked with the dealer. So far so good....

If you are asking me, because I often overhang stuff from the back and the tailgate is a bit restrictive.

Agreed with Jonny. A tiltbed trailer is a bit more initial expense but if you are using it a lot then it will save you heaps of time. I have an ifor lm166 and get so annoyed with sliding the ramps in and out twice a day (i have to lock them back in being in London...). It probably takes me 5 minutes a time, twice a day most days of the year and it adds up! A tiltbed will be my next trailer purchase.