jrose

Efco MT3500 in my opinion - I brought one in April last year to replace a MS171, and really can't fault it for the price. Much better than the Stihl, and oils like a champ. Only downside is air filter is a bit of a pain to access, but that's the only bad thing I have to say about it.

It sounds like she was never really afraid for the safety of the tree, or she'd have said that first thing - that sounds like a desperate attempt to get you to do the work ASAP. Steer well clear, I reckon

I had to fix up a door, buy a padlock and board up an old window so it's reasonably secure, but if you're prepared to do some basic DIY to make an old shed fairly workable and possibly live without electric farmers are your best bet

I get mine for £40/month, lockup timber storage and burn site - ask around local farmers!

In my opinion, it's a silly mistake but calls for a talking to, I wouldn't expect him to pay as it's part of the risk and if he's new someone should have been keeping an eye on him... however if it had been me that broke someone else's kit I'd offer to pay for the damages. I'm not a climber, but surely some of the posts are a bit harsh? What if the saw was under brash or otherwise out of sight, or the chap on the ground shouted all clear forgetting about the saw? I wouldn't blame him in the slightest, but then I don't really know what you lot can/can't see from up aloft!

just saw this on ebay and thought I'd share in case it's of interest to anyone chainsaw stihl 090 | eBay

Hi Sean, can't help next week I'm afraid as pretty busy but if you ever need someone another time would appreciate the work and contact! CS30/31, own kit & Landy pickup... Also if you ever need somewhere to tip chip/logs give us a shout. cheers Joe

I know it's not a chainsaw, but there's no brushcutter forum... apologies if this is in the wrong place! Does anyone have any experience/thoughts on the Efco 8550 brushcutter? I have a couple of big Kawasakis I brought secondhand, but am very tempted by the thought of a brand new one with better AV. Or are there any other recommendations for a 45+cc machine, NOT Stihl please? cheers, Joe

I use a Supatool axe from the local DIY shop, it's split a ridiculous amount of wood over its lifetime and for the price of £15 I can't really fault it! Should really invest in a "proper" axe at some point...

seems like other people closer to you have already offered, but if you get stuck I can lend you a scabbard and 1 chainsaw glove (the important one, the dog ate the other one so I just used a normal leather glove for me CS31 before Christmas and noone said anything!)

you're welcome, not got any photos as light was pretty poor by time I finished, will get some down the week and post on here before sanding to show what is possible with a big saw

I like the anti gravity rakes which stay in place when tipped up

personally I don't like carving bars, they are very limited... the smallest saw I use is a stock Efco 3500 (very similar to a MS171, but better!). However last weekend I carved an owl out of yew using only a Husky 365 with 24" bar, including eyes, wing detail and all as I'd forgotten to pick the Efco up when I got to my yard. Now ready for a final sand, you can do a suprising amount with a normal saw.

brushcutters work well with a mulching blade, you need a big professional machine (40cc+) lift it up and smash it down onto brambles, rather than the normal side to side action of strimming.

thanks a lot, interesting reading

I have a little Efco MT3500 (same company as Oleo Mac, different badge is only difference). It's seen a lot of abuse, and keeps going much better than any other 35cc saw I've used, plus pumps out loads of oil whereas the small Stihls seem to come ready blocked from the shop... Can't fault it, and will be considering Efco for any future machinery. Plus I have a dealer in my village, only 200m down the road so no problems with spares

out of interest, can anyone provide a link to the law on selling treated wood as firewood please? just would be interested to read it, I'm not selling treated wood or anything.

I just found my next phone, when the description starts out "Military cell phone do you use it before?" I can't really see what could go wrong Although anyone looking should probably take note of the blue caption at the top of the picture showing the oh-so-handy compass on the back of the phone... LM802 Dual Anti-Squash Waterproof Mobile Phone (China Manufacturer) - Mobile Phones - Mobile Phone & Accessories Products - DIYTrade China

thanks for all the replies everyone, I'm still learning about this mechanics thing! But my local garage is very friendly, they've had our families cars for years and he is happy to offer advice to me on how to do a job myself for free, or let me hang around and watch and learn... It is leaking oil at the front, where the prop joins. I tried replacing the leather seal with a geniune land rover one as I was told to avoid the cheap ones, and it's still leaking oil. So at the moment I'm topping it up with EP90 once a week or so, and was told to get a secondhand axle. In answer to the questions - it's drum brakes, there is sometimes but not always a clonk when taking off, no whining or zingzinging. Can you further explain a shimy please Mike, I'm not sure what this means? So is there such a thing as a garage that specializes in diffs/axles? I'll have to see if there's such a place anywhere nearby and seek their advice... cheers, Joe

I've been told by every mechanic I've asked that it would cost a ridiculous amount to repair, I'd be much better getting a new one. So that's the advice I'm going with, if I can find one that is. Thanks, I'll try giving them a ring tomorrow.

just reread it and forgot to say there is cash waiting, I'm not looking for a free handout (unless it's offered!)

Hi all, Apologies if this is in the wrong bit, I wasn't sure whether to put this in the classifieds or not but thought this would get more answers! Does anyone by any chance have or know where I can aquire a salisbury rear axle for a old Landy 110 in the south west? I'm getting quite desperate, mine is getting worse and worse leaking EP90 out where the propshaft joins, due to play in the diff I am told. I'm willing to travel a reasonable distance, must be in good condition. cheers, Joe

I do a reasonable amount of voluntary work, usually very similar type of work to my paid work - for example I occassionally do some work for a local nature reserve, turn up with my strimmers, chainsaws etc and spend a day clearing scrub, coppicing or similar. It works pretty well, as I chat to the other volunteers and get a few jobs out of it, as they've already seen me work and know me.

Cheers for all the replies, has made interesting reading. I have recently been asking around family, friends and my best customers what I could do to improve my image, one of the things most people have said is a local landline, as it looks local, and I think in our area at least there is still a certain stigma with mobile only numbers. I live with my family at the moment, and I don't think it would be in anyones best interest to have my 15 year old brother answering the phone to potential customers, him not having the slightest idea about trees! A local landline that diverts to my mobile would be the best bet for now I reckon, as if I can answer the phone I will, and if I'm working/driving/otherwise engaged, I will be able to ring them back ASAP. I'll look up some of the links, thanks again everyone.

Hi all, I have been thinking about getting a local landline number which automatically forwards to my mobile phone, mainly to look a bit more respectable as giving out cards etc with just a mobile number doesn't encourage quite as much trust I looked into the Orange Pocket Landline deal, but they want you to have a business bank account which as a small sole trader I'm not desperate to get! And a quick google came up with lots of companies, none of the ones I looked at I'd quite trust to pay money to though... Does anyone use such a service, and any thoughts good or bad? I don't want a physical line installed, just the number which automatically goes to my mobile. cheers, Joe