Dan Curtis

Yes, depending on the candidate. If they're willing to listen and learn. One problem I encounter is repeatedly having to tell someone the same basic things, one person in particular the same things over more than a two year period. The same basic things that imo should have been taught from day one. If they're starting their learning with the college, get them working efficiently from the start. I know there aren't time pressures in a learning environment but you could get into them the idea of a tidy site, tidy wood, brash cut and stacked from the tree in armfuls. If they start off by knocking bits all over the place and under no pressure to keep things moving, it'll be harder to adjust once they get into a commercial environment.

And when instead of trying to burn their way through the day because "it's quicker than sharpening on site"

I've worked with people from your college Martyn, and several other colleges. They all seem to leave on a similar level whichever college they've been to. From an arb perspective, there seems to be a lack of understanding that we're production cutters. I'm not talking the same lines as forestry, but pace in this industry comes from working efficiently as a team. It's one thing being able to knock a branch off a tree, but there doesn't seem to be anything ingrained in any of the students I've worked with over the last 5 years or so that suggests they understand the whole picture. For me the whole job is about logistics, how fast will this branch be gone and chipped so I can get the next one down pronto. Most of the college lads/leavers I've worked with will either take an age to cut nothing, or bash bits off all over the place, without consideration for where they'll land, facing what direction and who has to pick them up. They'll cut things off that are small, but won't go through a chipper because they've cut a 6" stub instead of snedding from the tree. Log wood will come down with dirty great stubs on, making stacking and handling a pain, as well as being dangerous once stacked. If you cut a branch off, cut it flush! (Obviously I'm not talking pruning here) From a forestry perspective, again, they can't sned. It's a basic skill that can make all the difference to the pace and safety of a job. Get them to understand the fundamentals of moving brash and snedding timber properly and they should be able to transfer this to working from a rope and harness. If they understand how things work on the ground, it'll make them better climbers because they'll know how to keep the groundsmen's tasks manageable, therefore making the climbing work easier and quicker. Sorry if this is a bit of a rambling rant, but it's the basics that are missing imo.

I'd use a mallion rather than a carabiner though

My aspen saws definitely blow sparks. I'm noticing it more now it's getting dark earlier/not really getting light some days

Any defender can tow 3.5t legally. Most transits are 2.2 or 2.7t, I think some are over 3t but depends on the particular vehicle. Look at the vin plate to be sure.

Wow! I knew about the theoretical height limit and water movement but if they're right about that I'm building a time machine. 900ft trees! Clean underwear needed....

Never been wagged in my 90, even pulling an 18ft high sided Ifor with a full load.

That's very dependant on what you do and what you carry, there are exemptions. I don't see the issue with getting a tacho if you need one.

Mine was a little possessive/aggressive for a while over her food and her bed. Imo, you need to work out the reasons for aggression before taking the route of pinning the dog down or taking food away. In my girl's case, it was entirely fear based. She was literally bricking it that I was going to take things away and not give them back. I'm pretty sure this came from her having long lasting bones, and getting upset when they were taken away when they became to small for her to be safe with them. She's a bit of a hoarder and knows exactly what things are hers. Any kind of dominant/aggressive behaviour from me would've only made things worse, because she'd become more scared. Try getting her to sit and wait for her food, only a few seconds but make sure she gets the message that you're letting her have it. Get her familiar with your Mrs doing the same thing. Once you've got that down, start to approach as she's eating but as soon as she shows any sign of aggression or fear, back off and leave her to it. You'll need to watch closely for any body language/stiffening/lip curling/head dipping to cover the bowl etc. Over time she should become used to being approached, and feel more comfortable. This should get you up close and without danger. It helps to feed where the dog is facing the room, if you're coming from behind she's bound to be nervous if she doesn't see you coming, she's going to be concentrating on getting the food down her neck. Growling and warning snaps are a good thing, they're a sign to back off. A worse scenario would be a dog who doesn't warn and goes straight for the bite. This is based on my own experiences, having read and tried a few methods and put time into my dog. She knows who's the alpha, she knows my Mrs is beta, she knows she's zeta. It's not always pack rank that's the problem. Best of luck, and hats off to you for taking on a dog that others turned away.

Most terrifying drive of my life was in an MK with no floor, on an 8ft towbar behind a mog. Never again! And I lost my lunch out the floor

If she doesn't need it to be portable, stand alone prices have dropped massively in the last few years. You can get a lot more for your money if it can sit on a desk instead of a lap

No. Check the class of vehicle. Transit I believe is lgv so not dual purpose. A disco would probably be dual purpose, anyone got one who wants to check their log book? It'll have more than one code if it is

Throwline for me. Mainly because I don't trust squirrels

Pffffft. This is more dangerous than using rope instead of a flipline imo

I'd leave out the flipline if you've already got a grillon. Saves a bit of cash

She great at warning of people being in the woods who shouldn't be. Extra eyes and ears always help

Always a pain. I milled straight through an ali pulley once Jon

I know what tree it came from, rest assured I cut plenty of metal in it, even if this escaped my saw

I had a bit of hillside help today

Just found this in the bottom of my fire, didn't see it go in!

Yeah you'll be fine with a 45. 60 is a lot to work with, I don't often use mine because of it's length. I'd cut it up but it's those jobs where I do actually need it that stop me doing it

The longer the better. I took a 60m when I went but you do pay the price on hiking the weight around. Mine had a baboon wipe it's nether regions on it

If there's anyone in two minds I'd seriously recommend going. The trip last year was fantastic, the place and people are amazing and incredibly hospitable. The trees are like nothing you'll have seen before, particularly the thorn covered Kapoks. Without gushing too much, it'll be an eye opener, possibly even a life changing experience.

I'd have thought the 576 was a replacement for the 575? :what: