frenchclimber

Steve, Looks like nice kit, I would like to purchase 1 x XL hoodie, 1 x L T shirt (dark green if poss?). I am quite happy to pay with PayPal so no worries, but you would have to include postage here to France, thanks. kind regards John

Hi Guys, No worries, I have been in touch with Spud, and think we have a way forward that makes sense. Stay safe Frenchclimber

Hi guys, I have not been able to find any reference on this site to these saws, sorry perhaps I have not been searching hard enough. However, has anyone any experience of the DOLMAR PS 3410 saw. I have been working with a SOLO 637 saw for the last 2 years, this saw whilst a good runner and reliable has been a source of trouble overthe last 6 months, and entailed some extra expense and anger on my part, and an offer from Solo Germany to help try and resolve the issue when I can get the saw back to UK agent. In the meantime, we need another saw........now I know you will say Stihl or Husky, but our budget may not run that high. You may say false economy? Anyway, that discussion apart, back to the Dolmat saw........any news, views or reviews on it for my consideration. I thank you gentlemen in advance.. Kind regards French climber

Hi Guys, Please be kind to an aged dinosaur, but I need some direction to some vids showing how you use a pulley/hitchclimber system. I have tried a few searches but they don't seem to lead me where I need to be looking! Sorry to be a pain on this one, I am sure the info is there, I just can't seem to find it. I am currently using a straightforward 6 turn prussic, with the inevitable hip thrust and arm pulling joke. I need to get away from this, and decrease the amount of sheer physical effort to get up the tree. I cannot seem to wrap my tiny mind around how the pulley and work system actually works in practise...........where do you pull to go up..I know I'm dim, c'est la vie. I need to change my techniques drastically to lengthen the time I have left (60 this year !) to climb! Frenchclimber

There was me thinking that it was also about crown root balance,and restricting the spread of large roots in an urban environment, to minimise structural damage to buildings etc in the close vicinity ? Out here they pollard planes, limes and cherries to create knuckles, and quite honestly as long as they are maintained correctly, as they mostly are, they have a vague appeal. I am aware of the cost implications of this work, and in the harsh economic climate in the UK, where councils will be cutting back dramatically, this work will probably reduce. Out here the contonierres(local commune workers, a bit like the old parish banksman) do this work religiously every year with MEWPS, half baked as you like. JohnB

Hi Guys, I think the phrase 'genius in a french way' is highly appropriate...........only in France............It looks effective, but a bit complicated in my mind, I climb with 2 prussiks, and double belay whenevr possible to give better stability, especially in the outer crown. I find conventional techniques serve well in the long run...........but I'm an old dinosaur ina modern world JohnB

Hi Folks, I think I have to agree with Ty on this, VTS you are a little too cheap, don't sell yourself short. MSA cotisations, insurance, CFE, etc etc etc, are with us all over here, and I am charging out at more like 400 eu(at todays exchange rate £339.00)/day for two of us (we both climb and ground so works out equal shares) with take away tops or dispose on site (can't afford chipper at the moment), and charging travelling times and diesel. I have to make it up with odd gardening jobs, hedge cutting, pruning etc when I can get it. I've been undercut by a few local guys on some jobs, but I reckon that they are only just about making it work for them, cotisations are the crippler over here! be safe

59 and still climbing. Having fun at the same time................well most of the time! The brufen comes in handy at the end of the day, but having made a daft move last year, and went to electronics bench work cos I thought I may make some real money...I was tearing my hair out! actually wasn't making the money, so moved back to the trees and felt really great about it. I will stop when I think I have to, when I can't pull the ropes and I know it! It is mind over matter, knowing limitations, working within them, taking a little bit more time without losing competitiveness etc, its been said all before. I'm having the time of me life at the moment, so why stop? Kind regards Frenchclimber

Hi Guys, Just caught up with this thread, and thought I'd put in a few word. I am working with a guy who is A1+ groundy/climber/rigger, we work as a team, and so much so, that we are called out to do some really hairy tasks involving controlled lowering. That said, I spent a few hours yesterday, self lowering. Only because it was faster for me to belay it with me, cut, then send it down to ground. We got out a fearsome amount of lime top like this, and it worked a treat, not because groundy was inefficient, slow or not understanding the job, he was on the wood like a rash when it hit the ground, cleared off the rope and I was away again in seconds. I have in 30 years climbing, never thought of groundys as neanderthal, they are what keeps me in the tree working, if they are trained properly, treated with respect, they work as a team with you, not against you. You have only yourself (or boss) to thank for bad groundys. Kind regards French climber

Hi Guys, its a Zubat and pod for me every time, the bottom of the scabbard does clog thought and it doesn't take much then to 'lose' the saw...........it is beginning to bug me a bit but I'm sure I will deal with it. However the curve blade is definitely more effective, its all to do with effort and the physics of the blade, it actually pulls the saw into the wood, and not skating on the surface, which I think straight blades tend to. Cheers JohnB

Hi Guys, So simple yet so effective, makes life so much easier, I also wear it when doing pruning work on the ground..............no more mislaid kit ! Regards JohnB

I've been using ArbLites for a few years, but they are getting a bit tired, so would like to replace them......the burning question is...what with, I would like the lightness of the Arblites, but gather they are no longer made......any suggestions?

Hi Guys, Well, I am 59 in July, and I still climb regularly to keep my business going. I have a small enterprise over here in France, and work with a colleague who is 50 and also climbs regularly. I find re acsents a pain, and it takes one more day to stop aching, but we take on most tree tasks within the limitations of our fairly comprehensive kit, but so far we have not missed very much; complete takedowns in confined spaces/over houses/obstacles, crown reductions/lifts/pollards a la francaise, large walnut orchard pruning projects, all within our past jobs, good honest fun. I took early retirement from countryside mgt/forestry/arb in 2006, and decided to go back to my roots (or crown !)and do something that I gained a lot of satisfaction from. I enjoy it, but have to admit that I will have to stop before too much longer ( a few years yet I hope!) So I also help run a business in the UK in radio comms, so if anyone needs comms in their earcans give me a shout please. JohnB

Hi folks, Been using one of the Solo saws for about 18 months. Great saw, good balance, even with all the weight for fuel/oil at the front. Was a bit tricky setting the jets right at the start, but now its sweet as a nut. It has plenty of power in the right places and handles oak, poplar, chesnut, pine etc no problem. The design around the back end is a bit off, when it comes to taking off the chain side plate for cleaning/ adjustment/ chain change etc. relocating it back together is a bit hit and miss. The exhaust has burnt my saw trousers a few times cutting close in, but hey ho! All in I would say a good bit of kit, it is rugged enough and will I reckon last a few more years yet, so lets see. Kind regards JohnB