Dan Curtis

25, been climbing since I was 18. If you look about on the various Facebook groups there's a huge range of ages running SRT setups. I think the amount of people who are changing over is more related to the sharing of information through sites like this, than an age based factor. For the most part, the guys who aren't geeks that spend their spare time looking up new ideas are the ones who aren't aware of SRT. I'm still amazed the amount of people I meet who aren't aware that tree climbing has advanced beyond the prussik. Presumably this is due to limited information sharing?

Ok, you've got me I don't go on posh nights out:blushing:

Airstreams for everything, except posh nights out

I've been solely climbing SRT for over 3 years now, prior to that I was SRT accessing and DdRT working for a year or so. I can't ever see a reason to go back to DdRT. The only benefit that I can see to DdRT is the 2:1 mechanical advantage, which is negated if you climb SRT properly. There's no reason to limb walk and haul yourself back in, just work vertically. Your body will thank you for it!

If that's true, it's hilarious. I personally seem to have a very considerate dog. She goes off away from where anyone walks to do her business. Usually in ponds or under hedges:confused1:

I did an insurance takedown in Doncaster a few years ago. The garden had more dog logs than grass. We refused to go into it. I put the entire tree onto a flat roof, another guy walked it along and chucked it down to another guy on the chipper.

I've set quite a few up over the last few years. My favourite method is to the the top end into the tree with a running bowline. Then I use a grigri, rope grab and pulley to make a 3:1 tensioning block at the bottom end. Make sure you put stoppers behind the grigri, they can slip. Very simple to setup and operate for the right tension. I've never bothered with a brake of any kind, if your setup is long enough you should slide on the floor before coming to the base anchor. If you do find you hit the anchor, drop the top end down a bit to lessen the angle.

:lol:If you're referring to the mega step, the pulls were low and there was a fence behind. There was no way I wanted the butt to kick backwards off there:sneaky2:

Bottle jack, two pull lines, one side pull, one fast pull. 28" bar for scale

Nice beech fell, made a great creeaeeakkkkk as it went over

Have you not got Dave? Have you not got Dave? Have you not got Dave? Have you not got Dave? Have you not got Dave? Have you not got Dave? Oh, sorry. Did that get a bit repetitive?

Depends what you bring Mark, you're closer to the equator than us

It's getting towards that time of year again and preparation for the Cutters and Climbers is underway! This year's event will be on the 26th & 27th April at the East Anglian Game and Country Fair. This year we've added and changed a few things around. There will still be the old favourites; Work Climb Felling Competition Pole Climb MEWP Competition Balance Beam (Always a highlight!) and for the first time we'll be running an SRT competition, including a throwline event. The events will be staged over the two days so you'll need to be there for both. Camping is free on site, with evening entertainment planned. There's always a raft of prizes for the various disciplines and the overall winners. You may even win the coveted "Most Employable Person". Entry for the weekend's events is £20, enrolment forms are available on the Facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/pages/East-of-England-Cutters-and-Climbers-Competition/394739513952567 There are still a few trade stand spaces available, get in touch with Chalky for more info - [email protected] or visit the Facebook page. Banners can also be displayed for advertising in the main arena, £3 per foot. If you haven't been before it's a great event, friendly people and a fantastic chance to network within the industry.

I didn't know you'd worked with Tim Curry David

How's this? Back cut put in first, jack inserted and pressurised, then the gob in.

Yes

The pub is the place for you to get on a soapbox about things that vex you. Even then, you may be moderated with a fist.

If it's his, so long as you've taken every effort to ensure he's using safe, inspected gear, that would be a situation for his own personal accident insurers and/or equipment manufacturers to decide.

It's fairly common and mostly seems to arise from a misunderstanding when speaking to insurers by referring to freelancers as sub contractors. Insurance companies will usually take this to mean bona fide, therefore declaring that you need said "subby" to hold insurances.

I have insurances to cover me, I do other things than freelance. They are completely irrelevant in the situation described. This thread was meant to outline freelancing situations. I can assure you that it's a waste of money for any of your freelancers to have their own policies to "cover" them whilst working for you, their insurance company would not pay out on a job where you are the contractor, and you are the one taking the risks of business.

The people/ suppliers you mention do take an active part in the forum, particularly the last one. Check out the milling and alaskan mill forums. Rob's contributions have been fantastic with regard to milling info:001_smile:

Yeah, I think it's great part of the app, and would be great on the site

On a couple of occasions recently I've come across a few freelancers and contractors who are unaware of their obligations when it comes to insurance. A lot of this seems to arise from a confusion and mis-definition of the term "subbie". What I do for a living is climb and cut trees. I am self employed, own my own vehicle to get to and from site, provide my own climbing equipment, saws, rigging equipment etc. I am hired on a day basis, for as many or as few days as the company who engage my services need me to get the job done. By definition, I am a freelancer or labour only sub contractor. As a freelancer, I'm neither required to have Public Liability nor Employer's liability. I am in essence, an employee of another contractor for the day. A "subbie" is a term often used to describe people who do what I do. Another definition of a sub contractor, or subbie, is a "bona fide" sub contractor. This situation is very different. It would mean a self employed person who takes on the whole job, on their terms and timelines, with their equipment and the staff they choose to use. They would submit an invoice to the main contractor, who in turn would submit an invoice to the client/tree owners, usually with a mark up for their own profits. In my circumstances, the individual or company that engage me and my services for work are LEGALLY obliged to hold Employer's Liability insurance. Currently, Public Liability insurance is not a legal requirement. In the instance of a Bona fide sub contractor, the sub contractor is the one who is required to hold the insurance. It would cover the people they hire to help them carry out the job. (such as freelancers) So, a warning to all freelancers out there. There are a few contractors who I have come across who are trading without Employer's Liability, sometimes by confusion of the term "subbie", sometimes by sheer arrogance and ignorance. You can't always tell by their name, reputation, nor are they going to be the "******" or any of the other derogatory things I expect people will have in mind. Some of these people advertise in reputable places, so don't go by that either. It is prudent imo to check the insurance of people who engage you for work. If you have any doubts, DON'T work!

No, you don't need PL insurance. One thing to check for is that your prosepective client has EL insurance. More than once recently I've come across companies trying to hire me for the day, without having the necessary insurances in place themselves.