Bolt

oh yeah, Hire an "operator", mut make sure he stays on the ground out of the way. you dont want him in the bucket with you because operators always really get in the way, and you really risk cutting bits off em!!!

Big MEWPs are great for grins:biggrin: I reckon its best to get one with an "operator", as this is worth the extra as you dont want to be faffin about trying to position the thing or get it working.... If anything is not right, its their problem. Remember, you cant have the thing set up at the "base of the tree", you need it way out to the side to give you a big enough drop zone. At height, even tiny bits falling make expensive dents in mewps, and then you need to also take wind direction into account........ With mewps, its side reach thats important, and this is especially so if you are not dismantling. You dont want to be working at your (and the mewps) full extension. Check out the mewps working "envelope" and dont skimp, you need to dwarf the tree in every direction if you dont want to struggle. Most important, At some point, make sure you take it to the very top of its extension, this final point is easily forgotton. Have a ball

I would think the only legality would be for criminal damage if you actually damage the tree. I have climbed many public trees, and almost nobody ever looks up. (just dont leave kit at the base of the tree, or your rope hanging down) so there is no trouble. If someone gets offended, you're in the wrong..... so back down, dont make a fuss (and don't go back

If you really want skin tight, go for the ones on page 186 of the latest stihl catalogue. real niiiiiice:biggrin: know the best bit? They're called "X Fit"

It there a vid of SWB brushing his teeth? I must have missed that one. Keep posting...... (its better than doing paperwork)

has the added benifit of allowing your groundsman to lower you from the tree following a calamity (useful if you aint too sure of your potential "rescuers" climbing ability)

......'course if you bring both, you could cook the bacon on the shovel.........

Is it better to bring bacon on sunday, or a shovel d'you think?

Read up on assessment schedules, if the have any questions just ask. You can also look at the manuals that come with chainsaws, they contain loads of clear instructions for saw maintenance and tree felling. If you havent got a manual, you should be able to download them from stihl / Husq websites

We are talking about climbing for fun though (have to type fun cos I cant spell recreationally:blushing:). I have climbed trees on my own all over the country, some for the great view, some because the just look like good trees, some cos I'm hiding to confuse the dog. It has to be said though, Consider what could go wrong, Know your limits, Consider each action. Of course, it is better fun with a group...........lots of mature trees you say?.........

all the same, best of luck

.....or maybe clean the oily muck out from inside the clutch drum (although probably what TMT reckoned, worn clutch parts) First I would clean, then adjust carb settings, then start replacing bits.

I have done training for Kingswood in the past. A big chunk of their work is resettlement work. They are well set up for this type of training, and if you go with them, you will be on a course with a bunch of lads in the same boat. Last time I was with them, not only did they do training, but also a bit of work experiance as well. I would go for it and give it your best shot, you may like this kind of work, you may turn out to not be so keen. Either way you wont know until you have been doing it for a few weeks. One or two little climbs wont tell you if its your cup of tea. I can think of loads of lads who have been hopeless and ready to quit for the first few days of climbing, then suddenly they get the bug and their away. All the best

try this web address... TSO Online Bookshop - Safety at Street Works and Road Works: A Code of Practice ... should work (but no guarentee as i'm no computer wizz kid)

turns out if you put your laptop on its side to view videos, you get some strange looks from those around you! worth the wait to see the cameraman / rope pulling posse enveloped by debris.

if you are in a private front garden and the owner has been briefed by you, nothing more than a groundsman should be nessessary!

If your work may affect the public anywhere (park, open space, carpark, right of way) you have a duty of care not to endanger them (never underestimate the public's ability to do unspeakably daft things), so signs and cones are a minimum. If its part of the public highway (road or pavement) you have not only do you have the same duty of care, but signs and cone placement must be overseen by someone with NRSWA training.

We live in an all inclusive society these days, you can get a ticket for anything

am i confused, or should you have filled in a few cheques along the way?

call your local Ag college or forestry training provider. they are doing them all the time. Some call the couses NRSWA, some call it chapter 8 and some call it SLAG (signing lighting and guarding).

think i prefered the look of the blank canvas (they got mewps in tenerife?)

2 high lifts should be fine. You have also mentioned a winch (+ strops, shackles, maybe a snatchblock for fun) make sure the rated pull of the winch is less than the SWL of everything you attach to it (although your instructor will cover all this). Bear in mind though, that a winch may be included in the training, but will it also be available for the assessment? your assessor is under no obligation to provide a winch, and may well stop your assessment if you turn up for assessment expecting to use his! If the assessor or training provider has agreed to provide a winch, make sure you ase fully aware of how to operate that type before tha assessment (for instance, can you get the tirfor cable in and out? Have a ball, 32 is loads better than 31!

hope you have a great time. Is it the training, the assessment or the training and assessment you are doing?

Least favourite has to be lengths of very dead whippy yew going into the chipper. First they whack you on the hand as the rollers gets hold of them, then they whip up your arse as you turn away running and squealing like a girl.

If its a log supply thats wanted, I would just plant Ash. Ticks all the boxes. Easy to establish, good growth rate, happy in UK conditions, Smells nice when you cut it, smooth bark ony your hands when you handle it, easy to split and burns like a good 'un (especially if you an impatient seasoner (yery low moisture content I am told). Of couse, you would be wise to see whats already growing in the hedges. If there is no ash already about, maybe you should ignore the above.