Gareth Dalzell

No technically correct. A system that has been abused or by-passed my alter the apportionment of blame considerably. But without all the facts it is difficult to give a definitive answer to this situation. From what I can see, you could argue apportionment of blame quite nicely.

I think in this case Pete's signature and link to Greenmech at the bottom of his page gives his leanings away - I don't think he's hiding his loyality or being unduly biased And he is their National Sales Manager after all!

Circus Master, mostly - Director or cheque signatory when I,m in trouble with HMRC:blushing:

Hi Alex. Welcome. Don't forget the special Arbtalk rates on your website Justin was planning for the new year.

Pulled my back just over 7 years ago (I,m 45 now) twisting and sneezed at the same time reaching down to pick something up. Couldn't believe how painful it was. Breathing even blinking almost. Total agony. Depending on what you've done I stress - I was told to rest for day, then don't stop moving. Keep gentle movement going if possible. Don't do to bed - everything seizes solid and muscles tighten and spasm. I remember not being able to get onto the physio's table, but he has one that you stand against facing it like a see-saw in the vertical position and you hold on and he flips its into the horizontal -I thought I was going to pass out. The physio said it's muscular, everything still in place just muscle spasm pulling me all shapes. As he said it will heal naturally in about 4-6 weeks. He could relieve some of the pain but it would not speed up the healing process. And he was spot on, about 5 week in it started to ease. Then care in the future, change working practice, the way I lift and move stuff and then the exercises to built up strength and flexibility. That was 7 years ago now and I haven't hurt my back since - so be positive - although I guess I like you saw this as the end but it needn't be. Our backs do wear and degenerate so we shouldn't expect them to put up with this type of abuse day and daily, but you can work with it long term. Good luck

I,d be careful putting it in front of a fire in case it gets too hot and explodes!

Those aren,t vibrations you,re getting from the 460 it,s raw aggression and it,s strong heart beat.

Goodness knows in this weather it takes some motivating.

No problem with you methods, it takes all sorts of businesses in a society - no rights or wrongs. I,m just saying that you don't have to stay as a micro business you could develop into a small business. I know many land based companies divide their costs into a 40-45 productive weeks in a year depending on how flexible their work cycle is. We developed a costing spreadsheet years ago that takes in all our costs and as staff levels change or other costs change you simply enter the new figure and the all in hourly rate recalc,s at the bottom, Cost per hour, per day and per week, per crew

I think a lot of you are all being a bit negative about expansion here. If you have a good business model and it is working well, a little growth can be a good thing up until the point that you get to a position that you are still comfortable and the hassle v profit ratio is acceptable to you. For some, small is beautiful and works for them and I realise that, but careful planned expansion is exciting and rewarding when done correctly and need not compromise your existing business.

Here,s the ickle ms150 dropping down conifers today.

No problem, this scheme is up, running and live. Lantra will be aware of it. The model is good, it was adopted from the petroleum industry of all places, took about two years to tailor and get everyone on board. A mandatory requirement of key H +S units and government backing helped. It would be worth looking into as there is little new to be learnt or created, most industries adopt and tailor their schemes.

That sounds exactly like the scheme set up I described above.

Ah but didn't they all start with the first step.

Is this scheme going to be similar to say.... The construction industry scheme or the one we have in n.ireland where we have different coloured cards. Green for basic op. blue for experienced op, then gold for foreman/craftsman, platinum and then black. At each level there is occupational assessment and interview along with qualification and ticket checking?

It,s not so much the hp you need to look at but the model. Most of the best towing transits are the 350 models. They come in various engine powers. The lower models are only rated for around 1700kg towing capacity.

You should get taught it all on the training course including familiarisation on the computer for the gola test for the pa1 part. I,m a nptc assessor for the pa units and I find the biggest source of error on the calibration is people miss reading the measuring jug or putting the decimal point in the wrong place. Very often they,re rushing it and it,s nerves, but there is plenty of time. Take it steady, stay calm and slowly work thru it. Get your trainer to give you plenty of practice calibration sheets so you can work thru more examples in your own time.

Just watched it on telly myself and thought of yourself. The bbc guy actually looked quite worried.

Spot on difflock. These barrow are built along the same lines as a mortar tub, very robust. I cut this picture from a larger one. I was so worried that someone would pinch them I got a stencil made and black spray painted our logo onto them.

I was fed up buying wheel barrow and came across these. We bought six of these 3 years ago. We've had 1 puncture and absolutely no other problems and they,ve been used for concrete, stone, soil, loaded by careless mini digger drivers, carried logs, tree butts, whacker plate, rootballed trees - all no problem. And they are still as good as they day we bought them - but at around £130 each plus Vat they'd need to be! FRONTGATE UK - SiteBlazer - Heavy Duty Wheelbarrow

Hi Steve Have I got them? If so what do I do now? Thanks

That's a really sad story. Poor guy.

I,m not sure I follow. It's not just a register but also a grading progression based on attributed prior learning as scored not by people with landbased assessing awards but by people with tree/arb knowledge. The criteria will be passed to them to score against, they could be moderated and standard set on a regular basis and will award as they see fit based on their take on the individual and as set against the criteria. If there is no awarding body, but someone must set a standard - will it be the each of the participants in the setting up who owns the "register"

I notice that Lantra are on the list of promoters - are they likely to be the awarding body. As a trainer, assessor and verifier I find it difficult to understand the units and system that is evolving for the tree industry - lets hope this one is written in plain English. Also from the comment A register that would also enable clients to identify individuals and teams that have the required skills to undertake the work they’re being asked to do. I would find it unlikely that most procurement organisations would understand what they require or what to ask for. I don't think this is a likely outcome of this register. I do think that within the industry and between contracting companies it might ( and I mean might not will) assist in identifying a skills set that is required initially.

£100 would do my Transit nicely