Gareth Dalzell
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Everything posted by Gareth Dalzell
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NPTC Assessment Schedules. MIA or AWOL?
Gareth Dalzell replied to Bolt's topic in Training & education
And then there is NPTC C&G now doing IA (intergrated assessments) training with assessment by the same person. Almost the same as an ITA but with a subtle different in the assessment proceedure. Confusing yes and other training organisation getting on board with there accredited courses. It is difficult for trainers and training companies to keep a handle on it - god help employers and candidates training to work it all out. -
If it's only smaller quantities you are carrying, I know a lot of people just us those portable freezer boxes you get, as long as it can be secured. If you are looking for more info on Chemical costs and product data sheets etc "Pitchcare" is a good website. Has prices which are a good guide for someone looking starting prices etc. If you want to go into loads of depth you could do a BASIS course - but probably way more than most of us need for business.
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I thought the pesticide book was green? The one we have on the office is published yearly with updates etc. What is the blue book?
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We don't know the full detail, but if the fire service and a tree surgeon had declined to climb a tree to rescue a cat on safety grounds and my son then decided to free climb the tree to save it, I,d go ballistic. I don't want my kids risking their lives to save a cat stuck in a tree. But then we don't know the whole story:001_smile:
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NPTC Assessment Schedules. MIA or AWOL?
Gareth Dalzell replied to Bolt's topic in Training & education
Hold onto your seat - they're about to change dramatically over the next 6 months - big time! -
It might dry faster with venting underneath as well similar to a grain store arrangement only simplier. You can get moisture meters like grain meters that are specifically for granular product and more accurate (if that is necessary) than a log moisture meter. What % do you need to get it down to?
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I think that may have been the problem with last years. They were cut and split in the same year. Before they dried out properly the got left outside again and acted like sponges. If I can get them split and somewhere to dry properly I might try your idea.
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When we built our first proper office about 12 years ago the rates were triggered by the building control sign off after completion. So from that day on we've been paying commercial rates. Fair enough - we run a business and it's an overhead. BUT- I am one of only a handfull of contractors paying business rates. I,d say locally out of 100 contractors, if even 1% are paying business rates I,d be very surprised. How do I know this - well in Northern Ireland all the information about domestic and non-domestic rateable values is on the VLA website so you just type in their business address and Bob,s your uncle no business rateable valuation at their address. Paul -am I bitter - my Rate therapist says I have a valuation complex!
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We,ve whacked them into short lengths now so no use for carving anything of any size. I remember last winter they'd been mixed in with other timber logs. When you put your hand into a bulk bag to grab some logs by mid winter they'd started to rot and felt like wet slimey fish - horrible. I think you're right - composting is looking like the best option. Thanks for the responses.
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We've taken down a load of palms recently and have about 3-4 ton of stems between 6" and 18" diameter. Is there anything that they can be used for. We tried cutting and splitting last years ones but by the time we'd come to sell the logs they'd turned to mush. Any ideas or do we just compost them?
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No problems - Yes SMM7 2011.
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We are using a Kawasaki Mule 600, had a quad years ago but not comfortable for all day work and you can't carry much volume. It can climb kerbs up to 10-12" high no problems. We have a some boom on the back, a hand lance on a holder (ACOP for atv spraying now). We can carry all our chemicals in a pesticide safe on the back along with washing water and ppe etc. This has been our preferred set up for the past 8 years. It's taxed and insured for the road, has full lighting kit and cab without the doors. We have PA2 and PA6AR for road side spraying. And yes it does have a coffee cup holder built in on the dash board. The rates in Spons are well above what we are getting unfortunately.
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If it's any help the rate in Spons (2011) is £83.76 per 1Kilometer - about 5.5p a metre for power spraying by quad etc. Not a bad rate as we could spray 20 kilometers no problem in a 1/2 day.
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A very important alternative use for a chainsaw...
Gareth Dalzell replied to Tom Mabbutt's topic in Video forum
Nice one:thumbup: -
Now that would be a cracking place to work and learn. Living a stones throw from it - couldn't be better - a quick zip-line journey to work every morning. Hope it works out - good luck.
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Don,t be wasting you time looking at these old machines. Get yourself up to the Balmoral Show and get the cheque book out. It,s the last day of the show, you might get a good deal.
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My work van is a new Transit 115 ps 260. A bit of towing, mostly town work with a few bits of motorway. When the fuel went up last month I became obssessed with the MPG. Normally returning around 32-33mpg. If its on a longer run it goes up to the high 30's (38-39 mpg) - never quite made the 40mpg though. I have been told though that the odometers on most cars aren't too acurate so I wouldn't take these figures as gospel. Fuels way down in price by about 6-7p a litre this week - it almost seems cheap now:001_rolleyes:
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We use a MF 362 (two wheel drive - much better lock) with a forklift attachment on the back and a rack of weighs on the front. It has no problem lifting bulk bags of logs, good on rough terrain, it's taxed and insuranced for the road so we can take it to sites if we need and it weighs in a around 2.6t so it can be put on a trailer and towed behind the landy also. A set of extension forks would give you some extra reach. It cost £4500 plus £500 for a second hand forklift attachment. Multi function vehicle, shuttle gear box, all the cab glass, radio and no scary hydro transmission or pumps to worry about. Had it now about 5 years I think - reckon it's still worth what we paid for it which is more than can be said for most old telescopics. Just a thought and how we addressed a similar problem.
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I worked for a guy on a farm before I went to college who had this also. I started just as he began his treatment as a relief milker and farm help. I remember seeing the "lining up" marks on his body where he got zapped. I also remember him talking about the taste of the drugs/chemo he was given. The process has improved greatly over the years. I was only 18 at the time so we're talking 25 years ago now, but I can still remember it. I reckon he must have been early 30's. A positive mental attitude is what kept him going. A wife and young family and a reason to make it through. There is light at the end of the tunnel. He,s still going strong over 25 years later, dumped the farm and has another mechanical related business now. So assemble your reasons and go for it and remember keep your mind focused - you're not going to allow this to beat you.
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I can see what you mean on some of them. I think the tree deserves more credit or as much as Nash. The first two though are sweet because of what they have been transformed into and show a real skill in their creation by Nash
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Posts concreted in and all rafters and boards screwed in
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It,s always a good day when the 460's out.
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We,ve got stuff from our local Clow Ladder outlet (ladders direct) They have triple extension 13.90m about £750 plus vat. Take a look at their web site and give them a call, they may be able to help. At that sort of length they,re going to be wobbly though.
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I know, its not really Large equipment but after spending the last few years up sizing everything, I have re-discovered the benefit of shrinking things. Like they say it's not the size that counts it's what you can do with it. There are some cracking micro bits of plant around now with real power. This little ones weights in at 1100kg so it's no light weight in the micro market and they all fit in the back of a van
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Self employed- getting a mortgage?
Gareth Dalzell replied to T & C Tree Services's topic in Business Management
Our mortgage was thru the bank we use for the business. they knew all our history and were able to make a more informed decision about our ability to repay.
