Shane

Once he gets to grips with compression and tension he'll be fine. At least he's not undercutting the UK guys - yet. He is quick and he grows his own PPE.

It certainly is worth being aware of it - in case customers think your poorly maintained machine has unloaded its lifeblood all over their driveway.

I saw exactly the same thing last week. Reducing horse chestnut (in the rain) looked like oil had been leaking all over the place, including a trail into the back garden. Looked like someone had removed the oil cap from a chainsaw then run around shaking it.

A good salesman never misses an opportunity:thumbup1: I can see the benefit by my guys say they don't want to dress up like dodgem cars. I'm working on it.

Firstly give them the price. If they are happy with that they may the ask about duration. You can ask them why they need an exact time (maybe to take time off work) , is it important to them that it is done quickly? Turn it into a positive and say you could throw more resource at it (subject to availability) if that would help - and that the price will not go up as it's still the same effort. You can say it depends on how many people you bring with you. Phrases like 'If we ALL come round we might do it in a day' If you know it will be 1-2 days. When you do arrive, tell them you've brought the full team of your top guys round so you will be as quick as you can. If they think the cost is based on time some are less likely to offer drinks and snacks as they think they are paying you to sit around eating their food.

I have a PTT265 telescopic pruner (which can, and does, run a hedge cutter). It has been perfectly reliable - much more robust than the tinfoil Stihl which used to eat pole bearings twice a year. The only issues are 1 The weight, it feels a lot heavier than the Stihl, but then it's more robust 2 The trigger configuration makes it awkward to hold in anything but the 'correct' position, and there are a few occasions when that's not ideal. 3 On the hedge cutter attachment, the 'closed' locking position is about 30 degrees open So when you fold it up for transport it doesn't lock fully folded? Just needs another hole BUT the bracket with the locking holes is made of space-ship hardened plutonite. Overall, when you are out there using it - it works all day (unlike the German offering) I'm currently shopping for a couple of new top handles and its gonna be the 360! I echo the support for Echo.

A good, and frequently asked question. The problem with a CV is it's a few sheets of paper which are used to decide whether to invite someone for an interview. It should be easy and quick to read, and stand out from the others. Have a brief outline section of all the key jobs and skills (apend the details at the back). I have never read a CV where the applicant had anything but 'enthusiasm, self drive, good timekeeping etc. Everyone likes working in a team - and with people. You have to mention these attributes but try to get something else in that makes you stand out. Over the years I have short-listed a lot of people where there was something 'off the wall' on the CV - unashamed examples... A female who listed yoga and trampolininig as interests. Someone who ended the page with 'in 19xx I rowed single handed across.. (turm to next page)... the boating pond at Gunnersbury Park' A trainee tree surgeon applicant who enjoys ballet. A guy who had run the Everest marathon. Anything to stand out or make them think - We MUST see this person!

Put some chip in a 10 litre tub, weigh it. Multiply by 100 for a Cu mtr total ....BUT when its piled up it will be more dense so add another 10%. If, as said above, your tipper has no roof and the rain is lashing - allow more. Also if your crew regularly ablute in the chipping pile, add a bit for that too. Alternatively go to a public weighbridge - I recon 2.5 mtrs to a ton and you'll be OK

A book on parallel parking techniques always gets a laugh too.

Because John Deere are applying technology to make the use of their machines easier, it must be the case that all Health and safety consultants are overpaid, timewasting parasites? And a bloke down the pub said he read an article in the Sun that said.'blah'.. Whatever is happening in terms of pandering to the dick-'eads - I see no reason not to encourage the occasional questioning of MY working methods to help me and my guys keep safe. I am free to do so AND I WILL. To use heresay as an excuse for complacency seems foolish. How many people who died, or were maimed at work felt it would happen to them that day, long before the event? Apologies to all those who work perfectly already and will NEVER suffer any problems, you are of course exempt, good luck

It all goes to show that you can't trust anyone, not even yourself. And I thought my business was doing really well and we have a really good safety record because we are careful. I had no idea all this terrifying political stuff was wafting around in the ether. What were we talking about again?

I've said my bit,Sky, maybe discuss over some beers at an Arb Show somewhere. Keep sane, keep different.

I know where youre coming from, but I disagree, Those who like to sit on their botties are a waste of time.. But are things really that much worse now? Depends who you listen to. It was great when kids worked down the mines, and miners had to buy their own tools. Go to the slate mine museum in Llanberis and see how they used to slave (sorry, work) - ahhh bring back those good old days. 16 hours a day never killed anyone - or did it.

Bingo!

Sounds like a dodgy outfit. Like all industries there' good and bad. It just seems the crap tabloids just publicise extreme negatives all the time. Safety, as you say, is common sense but the number and severity of accidents dictates (as does the law) that safe practices must be followed. There was a thread the other day about climbers refusing to go up a tree they considered dangerous. The Safety legislation provides them guys with some ammunition. In earlier times they would have been sacked immediately with no come-back. I personally feel, on balance, that the enforcement of safe working pracice is a bloody good idea, the abandonment of it is a potentially bloody idea.

Things are not always as they seem. I worked for an insurance company decades ago where some consultants came up with a monitoring/incentive system. Any question from a customer had to get a response within 48 hours (the target was 99.5%). The work force met it, by picking off questions that were approaching the 48 hour mark, BUT the supervisors told them to IGNORE anything that was over 48 hours - better to spend your time avoiding an additional black mark than WASTING time on something that was already a 'miss'. The result of this - anyone with a problem that wasn't answered in 48 hours were ignored until they raised a formal complaint (then it was another areas problem). Did you know that 40% of all sick days are on a Monday or Friday!

wrnsi - do you think there were less accidents or did people just stop reporting them?

I beg to differ with wrsni, I would welcome an annual site visit from an experienced 'Safety' guy who could offer impartial advice on safe methods, compliance etc. I consider our approach to be safety conscious balanced with economic common sense. I also have no doubt that an outsider may be able to offer suggestions on how we can be safer still. We all have a moan about the safety fairies from time to time but as the saying goes 'If you think Health and Safety is a pain.. try having an accident' Whatever people may think of the stories in The Sun, Express or 'the bloke down the pub' Safety legislation is exactly that LEGISLATION - not negotiable. You can hate Safety guys all you like but you may feel different if you best friend ends up dead and you are sharing a prison cell with a gay gorilla due to your negligence. Safety Steve - I would be happy to be a guinea pig (no lettuce though) - better to hear it from a paid consultant than from the HSE gestapo. Rant over I

Or you could get one of these - But don't operate it like they do..

Interesting editing, they could have changed the engine between each branch. In fairness, if you only want to chip up to 6.6 cm branches and you can only afford £11.50 and a bar of chocolate it's not bad. Probably supported by a massive dealer network with all the spares you'll ever need.

There was a young girl from Devizes With hooters of two different sizes One so small - it was not seen at all The other so big it won prizes

I went past a certain drive-in restaurant today and was inspired (if only) to put pen to paper. .... Each spring I stretch and taller grow And smile on passers by below The summer sun, I keep at bay While all around the children play Then as the Autumn gales draw near They take my fruit for another year Ice and snow as nights are longer Energy saved, next year stronger As years go by the grass I knew Grows smaller, roads and buildings new The space below, the games, the fun Now being squeezed, what have they done? Alas years later, no silent night Right under me a neon light A yellow M, a queue of cars They’ve made my park a burger bar The fruit I give just gets ignored If it can’t be smoked they just get bored Late at night, automotive tricks Driven by fools and cheered by their chicks My thirsty roots compressed by the paving I just make a mess, dirty cars, they are raving That tree shouldn’t be there, it really should go But we can’t remove it, there’s a TPO The leaves look wrong, and they cut out the light It must be dying, removal is right What if a piece was to fall on my head Without a doubt I’d end up dead Then a young fool, no skill – but power The base of my trunk, where his mum put flowers Such loss of life, such tragedy All because of that damned tree. In the end the planners had to agree Time was up for that dangerous tree The final solution, tidy and neat No more mess, just smooth concrete

Not for years now. Most of the poems I know are Spike Milligan, a few from ancient times and some which would get me banned from this forum... e.g. with missing words A filthy young wench from Rhodesia (yes, it's that old) Said if my ---- doesn't please ya If you like you can ---- Up my big ----- --- But be careful the tapeworm don't seize ya

Here's one what I writ a while ago The birds are sweet, I love their song But their tree cannot stay for long The tree is not in the right place It just has got too little space Forgive me when its gone, oh please Don’t get me wrong – I love trees Each day my car I have to clean The birds they aim, they are so mean Such effort oh it really grieves In winter as I scoop up leaves Forgive me when its gone, oh please Don’t get me wrong – I love trees And that one there, if I can Remove it and park my caravan And that one there makes my house dark My second car right there could park Forgive me when its gone, oh please Don’t get me wrong – I love trees It’s near my roof, yes that one there Just take it down, we need fresh air The guy next door, he’s such a swine Lets all his branches grow over mine Forgive me when its gone, oh please Don’t get me wrong – I love trees The drive’s too narrow, getting out is hell Lets have that one out as well The last tree really makes me worry It waves around in windy flurry Forgive me when its gone, oh please Don’t get me wrong – I love trees Don’t quote too much, Im not too wealthy And all this worry made me unhealthy They have to go and most sincere I’ve done my bit for the atmosphere Forgive me when its gone, oh please Don’t get me wrong – I love trees

There was a young bard from Japan Whose poems t'was said didn't scan When asked if he knew He said 'Yes I do - It's just that I like to get as many words in the last line as I possibly can'