Sean.S

Hi guys, I know a lot of you use sewn eye friction cord with the pinto, but are there any that don't - and still put the eyes between the plates like so: https://www.dropbox.com/s/btim5akkmpjhor4/IMG_20130208_204216.jpg I haven't climbed on this yet, and it's only on my lanyard. Obviously the cord can't fully tighten onto the crab as the knots foul the body of the pulley. Any views on this? Personally I can't see it as a major issue as long as the knots are set and bedded in (which mine are) BUT it doesn't look ideal so thought I'd get some opinions. Cheers, Sean.

Props for making the move man, I've just given up an excellent job to go freelance and I'm going through exactly the same process (it's actually quite scary how similar! Even to the point of trying to make a day per week free for study to complete my degree). All the best!

Okay fair point tom, I admit my response was a bit over the top. I do apologise I'll just rephrase then - from my experience I've found toyotas to be the most reliable and comfortable compared to Navaras and L200s. Not had much experience with rangers but the rear seat in the xtra cab version is painful. I'd recommend a landy anyway. 130 is very long and some turns in woodland will be tight, but you'll get a very decent sized bed AND a double cab out of it. Or you could go for a 110 as they're easier to find, then you could have a double cab and have a smaller pickup bed but it'll be about the size of the boot of a discovery (roughly).

ANY 4x4 is only driven by 1 or two wheels unless your center diff is locked (or you engage the front prop). And even then, you're only guaranteed that one wheel from each axle will spin. Unless you have lockers in the axles. Which doesn't come as standard on a landy, however it does on a lot of the pickups, to compensate for the lack of weight over the rear end and suspension flex. If a hilux (a pickup, with a pickup bed) has no ability to carry, then what can?! They may not be able to LEGALLY tow as much weight as a 4x4 with a centre diff (all time 4wd), but then neither can any pickup. I've towed a broken down double decker with mine. Granted it was only up a road so it wasn't in the way, but it still managed it. There's no point in just slating something for the sake of it. That's not constructive. If the guy's after a pickup, the hilux is about the best you can get all round. Navaras have head issues, L200s are okay but nothing feels as solid as a hilux. A Landy would ideally be better offroad because that's what they were specifically designed for, and you have the option of many different styles including a crewcab pickup.

Double Cab Hilux for sale: Toyota Hi Lux EX Double Cab - Arbtalk Classifieds

Diesel landies aren't that bad on fuel at all, and you have the advantage of being able to tow a lot more with a landy. As standard they'll also be more than capable of anything you'll throw at it offroad in the environment you'll be in. With the exception of possibly some A/T or M/T tyres, but that goes for any offroad vehicle. You'll be hard pressed to find a pickup that will drive offroad as effortlessly as a landy, the suspension and weight distribution just doesn't allow for it. You can always give them a bit more right foot though, usually does the trick. Saying that, I'd still go for a hilux. I ditched my landy for one two years ago and haven't looked back. But mine's a Mk3, highly modded for offroad use

Is it actually just leaning on the shed, or is it leaning on the conny(ies?) behind it? Great advice so far, but if you go the climbing route, find it's solid (which you probably will) and then realise that the reason it's stable is because it's leaning on the trees behind it, you'll have a shock when you take the first cut off the top...

I'm looking to move to Bath / Bristol at the beginning of 2012 so if you do set up on your own and need a groundie / climber give me a shout. Also available for help at weekends as I'm up there often, got my own kit and transport.

Yes indeed she does, she's the apprentice coordinator (amongst many other things) and has been an absolute star this past year. I managed to find an IDEAL position today, but I'm not sure whether it's still available or not. I'm going to apply anyway and ring them tomorrow to see. Fingers crossed

Thanks mike, I'll try the companies you've suggested! Hi Martyn, Thanks for the suggestion - I've looked into Knighton and currently they are... 'thinning out'.. their workforce because there isn't enough work about! I believe Julian is actually looking elsewhere for work as well, which isn't a good sign. Most of what Knighton are doing now is reptile fencing which is an awful job.

Well, everyone I've spoken to is saying either that they just aren't taking anybody on, some divulge further and say they don't have enough work to warrant taking anybody else on. That's the general consensus. Reason I mention the quibble with the certs is that when I do mention what I've got they tend to question why I've done LANTRA not NPTC, and don't seem wholly satisfied with it. But that is usually as an aside/afterthought to "sorry, we're not taking anybody on" and not particularly the reason they're refusing to take me on. Perhaps it is just because I'm not being flexible enough with my working area, but the problem is I really don't have the cash to relocate properly at the moment. Catch 22 situation!

Thanks for the replies! bobbysm - I'm finding it hard to get anyone to agree to take me on as I don't actually have my NPTC's yet although I do have experience and LANTRA certs, they don't seem to be good enough. Unfortunately I don't hold a towing ticket or anything else that would be useful to start off in an arb/tree surgery company. Tempted to try and get a job landscaping whilst I do my arb training at college, and do some groundwork on the side when I can to keep my hand in it. I'm looking into getting a climbing kit anyway and starting hobby climbing so I'm really familiar with it when it comes to my CS38/39.

Thanks chris! Doesn't seem to be getting me anywhere though! Bump! Nobody?! To keep my options open I've applied for and been accepted onto an Arb apprenticeship at the local college, so if anyone within 30 miles or so would like to go down the apprentice route I can do that? Alternatively - anyone in the Bath / Bristol area looking for an apprentice or trainee climber (I can bump up my LANTRA to NPTC's by the end of August and possibly get my CS38)?

Hi all, I posted in the Employment bit a little while ago to see if anybody had a position going, and I've also been scouring the net for positions available in my area(s) but nothing's come up. I've spent hours calling companies up to 30 miles away and every response was that they don't have enough work to take on anybody. The positions in London on arbjobs seem ideal, but I wouldn't be able to afford to move there. I have an NVQ2 in Environmental Conservation, NPTC tickets in Brushcutter and Hedgecutter and LANTRA tickets for chainsaw maint, x-cutting and small trees - all of which I obtained during my year as an Apprentice Ranger with Dorset Dountryside. I've been looking for either an apprenticeship or a "ground-up" working position within an arb environment, given that I have a lot of experience using saws but not the industry standard NPTC quals and no climbing or arb knowledge. However this is proving to be more difficult than I'd imagined, and I did imagine it to be difficult anyway lol. So my thoughts are - is it worth signing up to do a full time arb course --> F.T Arb Course And doing odd free days for surgeons in the area to gain experience and odd paid jobs when I can, or to go down the apprenticeship path and hope to god that by the time the course starts (October) I've found a placement? I've been accepted on the apprenticeship, so I can either take it or leave it but I thought it best to have the option there at least. I'm based near Dorchester, Dorset but can re-locate to Bath cheaply which is why I considered Nort. Radstock college over Kingston Maurward which is local to me, as I need to move out soon anyway. Has anyone had experience with either of these colleges? I've been to Kingston Maurward and they offer a very wide range of courses, but their organisational skills can be very poor. The reason I'd like to move is that I know this area is SATURATED with tree surgeons without enough work. If I can get to know people elsewhere I'm hoping I'd be more likely to make enough contacts to find a position. But unfortunately Bath is my only other option for now. So what would you guys recommend - move away, study full time and do odd jobs for experience, do the same but locally, keep fighting for an apprenticeship? Or any other ideas?! Any help / advice much appreciated. Cheers! Sean.

No worries Dave, look forward to hearing from you soon! Best of luck with getting some more responses. Cheers, Sean.

Hi Dave, very interested in this. I have recently put up a post on this forum searching for exactly what you're looking for, the link to it is: Link To My Post I will get back to you properly via email later this evening with a decent cv and covering letter, but I am away from my computer at the moment. Regards, Sean.

Hi, My name's Sean, I'm 21 and I'm based in near Dorchester, Dorset. I'm looking for any opportunities preferably in the Southwest area, but I am willing to travel/move anywhere in the UK as long as I can pay the bills and gain some experience. If I can get any local-ish work I'm willing to help out with jobs for free, for the experience whilst I find a more permanent position. Or, if a full time position is available then possibly start on trainee wage with a view to progressing as I go through my tickets and gain more experience? I currently hold my maint, x-cutting and small tree felling (LANTRA, I know, not ideal but it was paid for by my employers) as of April 2010. I have my own saw (15" 346xp) and PPE so can start with groundwork immidiately. Other relevant quals include: NVQ2 in Environmental Conservation NPTC Brushcutter, strimmmer, hedgecutter First aid at work training. I have a full UK driving license and drive a Mk3 Toyota Hilux single cab. At the moment I'm nearing the end of an apprenticeship (I can terminate the contract with a weeks notice I believe, as I have now technically qualified) with the Dorset Rangers Service, which has provided me with excellent experience in a vast array of areas such as: Tree/veg and animal identification Carpentry Scrub clearance and felling / de-limbing trees and large shrubs Pruning and shaping Stiles, gates and fencing Dry stone walling Step installation Bridge building Interpersonal skills from liaising with farmers and landowners Public speaking and leading guided tours Risk assessments and dealing with hazards, also things like fuel spills Etc, etc As well as those practical skills it has also greatly increased my strength and fitness levels. Working on the coast path I have worked through all sorts of extreme weather conditions, so that's not an issue at all. I have recently been looking at applying for my NPTC in felling medium trees, aerial rescue and operating a saw from rope and harness but cannot afford it all right away, but hopefully if I can get some work then any money I make will be invested in training and gear. I am extremely hard working, keen to learn and can work off my own initiative as well as working very well as part of a team. I enjoy nothing more than working practically outdoors. My timekeeping and attendance are excellent. I can get references to back up any information if required. Depending on your company, it may or may not be relevant but I also have a background in office work, web design and marketing so I can always help out with admin work if needs be. If anyone can help out in any way, or knows anybody that can, please pm me or call on zero791735688zero. [The zero's are there so crawler-bots can't find my number and sell it to advertising companies - bear that in mind when you're giving out numbers guys!] Many thanks, Sean.