Shane

Blimey - all this from a bleeding nose, good job I never mentioned the gay, black, disabled, gypsy bloke that fell into my chipper.

After umpteen years had a 'first' today. While clearing brushwood I somehow managed to get a twig right up into my nostril- should use an arb trolley, I know. Bled for 'kin ages - gotta laugh :lol:

Apparently you have more chance of receiving a Stihl chainsaw through the post than winning the lottery.

I don't like Chris Evans but he should be given a chance. Maybe they should have a different guest presenter each week, even just a real person (fat bloke down the pub) to offer some realistic opinions. I know its called TOP gear but isn't it a bit boring when the vast majority of tests are done in testosterone-packed supercars that no real person will ever own? Most of it seemed to tee up Clarkson to make some smug smart-arse comment.

A few thoughts... I've never been told by any dealer that spares are a nightmare to get hold of! They will also not tell you how expensive the spares will be. Immediate short term savings are usually lost through subsequent costs. When a machine is broken down it doesn't matter how cheap it was. Do you really need to own a small chipper? how about hiring something till you have the funds.

Fantastic news, you can spend that money on good value chippers from the Shetlands.

I guess I'm not cynical enough! The ad has been removed and ebay sent me a message about 'borrowed' accounts and suggesting no more communication with thay account holder!

Thanks for all the comments, one other thought was a demolition company, TNT in the trunk, absorbsion mats ratcheted all round then harvest the shards! Not sure about a house being just 20ft away though. Spoke with him again today and he's going to keep whatever is concreted. Just gotta price the reduction! Back in the comfort zone!

I just messaged him asking about viewing it, he seemed OK with it He replied.. Collection is preferred but a price for delivery could be obtained from a local delivery company, please supply your postcode for a quote in case you are interested. Let me know what you prefer. As regarding the payment I would appreciate a bank transfer, it is a large amount and I don't want to work with cash. Seems like a legit answer. maybe better to discuss/ask questions of the buyer before trying to conclude too much.

I went to look at a large and poorly oak yesterday. Its between 6 and 7 ft diameter at the base and has, over the years shed 5 or 6 large limbs (up to 3ft diameter). All the cavities I could see have been filled with concrete. About 30 years ago a bungalow was built 20 ft from the tree (in the direction the prevailing wind would take the tree). The customer had a report from an AA consultant last year who recommended its removal, and the LA TO has agreed it can go, or be majorly reduced. The customer wanted various prices - Reduce massively to about 25 ft (to limit poss damage to bungalow) Remove completely Reduce to 15 ft monolith, or as low as poss above the concrete. I can price up various options excluding the concrete issues but wondered what others do/say when concreted cavities of an unknown depth are involved - for the full removal option. There is absolutely no chance of vehicle or crane access. The bottom 15 ft looks like its riddled with concrete and I don't fancy knacking up a load of 48 inch chains. The customer can't tell me any more about the concrete as it was done before he moved in. Any suggestions?

My mum says SRT is dangerous. She insists I use three ropes then I can crochet a safe cradle to work from.

I think that was bought by someone on this forum, I remember somebody asking for advice. Looks like they've given up on it.

This may sound silly but how about contacting a taxidermist to see what they use?

Had one a while ago who DOES plan ahead and uses common sense. A member of a famous motor racing family, massive house, really nice guy. Called us round to reduce the spread of a large oak so it would not need trimming back after the proposed extension was built - and we could drop/lower all bits onto the clear ground below. Damage to ground was not an issue as it was all going to be dug up. There is hope for mankind!

If this idea catches on then it won't matter when all the transit tippers get half inched by naughty criminals cos you won't be able to give them away to the arb trade. Mind you, the cost of 3.5 ton tipping trailers will rise rapidly.

If you dispense with the chip box and tow a high sided 3.5 ton trailer (2t + payload) you have a 'small' rig which complies with VOSA regs when well loaded. Just need to get young drivers up to the right towing license level of employ old gits. Nearly forgot - you also have the reliability of a land rover!! Bugger, Ben beat me to it.

I wouldn't use a mewp, it wont get you in to where you need to make the cuts. Climbing and rigging down big chunks for me. If you really want to use machinery to speed it up then get a crane and dismantle really big chunks - but the position lends itself to the 'old school solution. Agree with protection for the block paving, and there will be services below somewhere. Time will depend on how quick the climber is and how well the groundies can keep up. Trees that size command 4 figures round our way. How far depends on how you deal with the 'waste' and how much you need the work. Good luck with it - looks like fun. PS get your boards up while you are doing it, let people see who you are and that you can handle big stuff.

Theres a bloke in Worthing who does exactly that! He has quite a reputation but he only needs one job a week. Who's the fool?:confused1:

Why don't they get caught in the act? They are wily wee feckers who are very good at the ill deeds they do. They would not do it while you are likely to catch them, they have often been seen sitting in cars casing the joint or the work site. They look for patterns and then ... I've heard tales on here of an accomplicepulling across the front of a truck just after a theft, to stop the rightful owners giving chase. A friend of mine did catch a 'mobile' child in the tool locker of his van - he was, of course, looking for his dog. A few seconds later his dad and all his cousins turned up to 'make sure the child was OK'.

Dont thos fence panels just slide out? If so and the neighbour/land owner the other side is OK with it you can do a better job. watch out for the concrete below the fence posts, use a chainsaw to get the trunks as low as possible, explain that you will not remove the soil/sawdust, allow room and cost of disposal of trunks, add on machine hire and what you want for a days work. It all depends on how much you want the work. I would quote around £250 for that lot - round here I'd expect to get it for that. I have my own machines so no hire cost, but I factor in maintenance and new teeth.

I heard someone was operating without a valid loler certificate

Do you mean 80 mtrs? Is the access downhill or uphill. Could you show a picie that shows exactly what the tree is overhanging? Is the neighbour happy for the branches to be lowered into his garden or is it a 'no touch' job? How low down do they want it cut? It all depends on how long you recon it would take - looks a straightforward job as long as you get the maths right.

I suspect if you had one that met those criteria it would be bloody good. The 50 hp requirement will probably break it through the 1200 kg barrier. Hopefully someone may know of a machine that gets close.

Thats really grim news Gad. Are you insured? Hope you get it back somehow.

There used to be a French company that sold glyphosate in a highly concentrated (and probably illegal) form on ebay. IIRC a 1ltr bottle would do 10,000 sq mtrs of grass/weeds. Allegedly. Might not look good if it gets into the ecosystem and kills all life in local water courses though.