normandylumberjack

Both are fantastic saws, I prefer the 660 myself, but it would be an idea to visit a dealer and handle them both, see which feels better and more intuative to use. Heated handles are a must imo, what with the vibe levels. Lets not make this another Husky Vs. Stihl thread lads, if you know your kit, you will know that at this level there is'nt a lot to choose between the 2, its down to which is best for you. The husky 390xpg is also a great saw, but may be a bit small for your needs, very smooth and pointable.

Have a look at your local dealer options, the top 2 brands Husky and stihl will be a good place to start looking, there are other brands such as echo or makita, but I would go for a brand used by the pro's. A saw of about 45-50cc should see you well for most of the jobs you will encounter, and handle a 18" bar just fine, also allowing for smaller guidebar fitting. A pro level saw will last you longer than a home or semi pro saw, but you will be fine with a semi pro/farm saw. A stihl ms 271 or Husky 353 would be a good place to start. Husky 346xp would last you a life time and would be my saw of the centuary! Visit your dealer, have a feel of what works for you and feels right. Also, if you havent done so, get yourself on a chainsaw course and learn not only how to use your new saw but also to maintain it, money well spent imo. Also remember PPE. Trousers and Lid- with eye and ear protection, should be classed as the minimum you need.

Valmets offer reverseable seats which helps 100% when using it for forwarding, and with good all round visibility, it makes crane operation much more user friendly. I remeber the change when i was working on an estate in cornwall, they had a big Ford with a highland bear conversion, and forwarding trailer. the seat had no swivel function and you had to twist around in your seat. I pulled my back so often it wasnt funny. Then moved to a valmet 6400 with reverse drive and botex 560? it was in a different world. you could also opperate all the functions while in the reverse position. Its a shame that when county took over the uk sales in the 80's they didnt do an equal wheel conversion, as it would have floated over the ground!

Somebody help, there's a unimog getting raped by a digger in a field!

Husky 44, got it from a guy selling it out of the local paper when I was 14. I had just done a weeks work experience on a local estate in the woods dept., and had been helping by fueling, oiling and sharpening. I even got to use a saw cutting laurel, so had to get one for myself! Turned up at the guys house, got a lift from my mummy, tried to tell him i knew what i was doing and realised that i had never started a saw before, looked a right arse trying to pull it without my foot in the rear handle! a steep learning curve then followed!

If i could get that registered in france i would buy that today! no chance of that tho:cry:

I doubt they would be able to afford an autotune saw, or need one as all the rainforest around them has already been cut down. It's like all the eco friendly cars that run a big batteries, a.) what are the eco costs of the lecky to charge them (nucular)? and b.) where do we dispose of the lovely metals inside them? and then the carbon in shipping all this crap around the world in giant ships, that do ? miles to the gallon! Rant over, Im off to raise the rainbow warrior from her watery grave, and find swampy!

Sounds like my bag, have been doing this kind of thing since I got here 7 years ago for ex-pats and french forestry companies too. If you want to PM me with some more details, and a google map link I would be happy to offer advice and possibly bring the woodland into some form of profitability for your Friends parents.

I want one too, I think more trucks should be 6x6, and cars too. If only you could run it on willow biomass!

What sort of work is involved? Im based in Normandy and I think Ty is brittany, If its a few days work then it would be worth the trip. If its a climber your after Ty may be your man, as I'm still learning the ropes! If your looking for Forestry then I may be able to help. Hope I'm not over stepping the mark recomending you Ty?

I have to admit, my blood is boiling after reading that diatribe. I had a similar problem with a customer that decided I hadn't delivered him enough firewood and wanted double or else, went to measure the load and took a few bags of sticks as a good will measure. Next day he had posted a thread on a ex pat website used by a lot of my customers, saying much like your friend paul, and that i had tried to buy his scilence with a meager offering of a bag of twigs. long story short- website withdrew his posting, customers started phoneing to ask if their orders were short too, no legal action could be taken, so had no choice but deck him, lost a lot because of one tosser, but felt better for watching him wake up with a crowd around him. I do not recomend you do this, England has a much better legal system, for better and worse, good will out!

I wondered whos number i had seen on all my favourite websites! he was always engaged when trying to call in the middle of the night, know why now, he was prank calling you! Seriously, serves the little sod right, it makes you wonder how little these wierdos have in their lives to warrant doing it? Looks like their may be a low houred Fendt in next weeks farmers weekly!

I found using a self locking footloop a free solution, ther is a video on youtube on the footlock tech' Hope this helps

I love the stihl sweets, they last longer than the husky ones, my wife says they should make gobstoppers as they would stop me going on about them!

I hate to say it but the berlingo is the car of choice for all the local farmers here in normandy, and they seem to go on forever! they can take them across a field, unload a cow from the back, load up a m3 of logs, drive out across a plowed field, cut you up as they pull onto the road, tailgate you all the way home and then overtake a line of other cars on a blind corner without a problem, doesn't matter if the heater works cos' the driver will have a tank of "anti freeze" in them from breakfast! Oh, and i think they are reliable too!

Then got a defender 110 HT, spent loads making it look nice and it died after a week, chopped it in for a low milage ex fire brigade 110 staition wagon utility, 2.5 PETROL- I loved that truck, had 2 cars run into me and i was able to drive home, both drink drivers ( a big problem here!), thirsty and noisey and felt like an oven in summer and a collinder in winter, but it looked the part. when it got too pricey for me I got a 200tdi disco with 200k on it. not a bad truck but the electrics went on everything, one at a time. transit connect t220, transit swb 52plate 100hp- best truck I have owned, ex hurse renault traffic, 1.3 petrol- what a heap! Now volvo v70 2.4 petrol 170bhp- holds all my tools, gets me to the job fast and home even faster, no more hauling logs, im just a gun for hire! hire a pick up if needed.

I had one for a couple of years, the lwb higher roof version, T220? Was a good van, nothing went wrong except side loading door locks- same as my big transit did. It fell between two bar stools for me not as big as a proper tranny, bit big as a small van. Also the pasanger seat was really uncomfortable, it was designed to fold flat 1st cushioning 2nd!

I started with a metalic green Subaru pick up when i was 17, 1.8 petrol went like stink, loved it! with a husky 44, mcchullock hedgetrimmer from argos (also doubled as a long grass cutter!) a few hand tools and my dear old mum got me a honda mower for my 18th. it had an ifor canopy to keep the tools safe, but liked it better with the lid off. Wish you could still get them.

The councils may start looking to the private sector to get the job done on time? oh look a flying pig! Here in France the councils have no such rules, little or no ppe, no hse, no cosh, loler............. but a 2 hour lunch as standard, 35 hour max. working week, job security for life! And to start the day a couple of expressos and a calvados ( apple brandy) is the norm in my local bar. chalk and cheese.

then there is lime-crete. a bloke out here gets sawmill waste, mixes it with lime and a little sand, and makes shuttered walls from it.

it makes good soil improver in our heavy clay soil, mulching around trees and shrubs, fuel for a friends food smoker (once dried) insulation could be an idea if you have loads? keep your shed toasty! you can also get sawdust burners for workshops for a double pronged attack.

There was a picture of one on a swb fourtrak or jeep on here a while back, looked like a good set up. Perhaps some clever person can put a link up? seem to remember it was sign writen " firewood man"? Good luck, and post a photo to inspire us all once you have it installed.

then theres a good chance it will rob some nitro, being that its used as compost

I like the magazine, my wife purchased my subscription for my christmas present, and enjoy recieving it every month. I do feel that the FJ and EA could benefit from some more reviews of a wide ranging line-up of kit. I would like to offer my services of reviewing any kit you can put my way, for example the new breed of chainsaws could do with a fair test for the benefit of your readers.

White finger would as the name sujests, show as white tips and blotches on the fingers, tingleing sensation like pins and needles, worse in the cold. I'm 29, been doing forestry/ estate work since I was 14. My hands tingle most days and worse in the cold. Using old strimmers, and chainsaws a lot of that time has taken its effect. I love what I do so will live with it, but if your starting out in the bussiness and feeling it allready then you should think about your choice of career. Speak to your doctor and get some advice, keep your hands warm- it seems to help, check the AV on your saw.... just because it has av, doesn't make it vibe proof. Newer saws are getting better and the models with heated handles are a help. keep the chain sharp, and top up the fuel and oil as often as you can- it soaks up a little vibe IMO. People will tell you its part of the job and to man up, but imagine what your mitts will feel like when your 60?