Goaty

1st question No 2nd Yes because more contact area on log equals higher pressure required to push for the same yield. Think if you stood on 3 spades at once with one foot. However if you could design it so 1 knife hits then another and so on it is more efficient use of power as as it spreads the requirement. This is how some kindling machines work.

Mileage/hours these days I find irrelevant personally. Careful lady owner etc. Can mean its a lethargic troublesome motor. Diesel engines tend to go to the scrapyard in good working order with plenty of life in them. I'd buy on its real condition. i.e not blacked up tyres etc. UJs etc should be getting cheaper now that its 5 years old model. Thats my thoughts. I'd buy high high mileage, as like you. I rarely do 12k per year. It will bring the average down for when you resell.

Lots of stuff is in this industry, we still do according to ancient specifications. It aggravates me sometimes. I did a job "Under a consultant" He was victorian era! Just my experience, despite many on the tools wanting to embrace new ideas, techniques etc. Those that 'Manage read from old manuals and books' Councils are special at this.

Not challenging this, its all cool. But for me when we used the parmiter knocker after 45minutes on a post in a hard dry spot near a tree or hedge or compacted area the ram used to weep and shake its gland nut loose and other fixings as well including the slide pole bracket which cracked at the bottom on 2 occasions. I was personally wearing out as well using levers and various means to steer the post. Now I can bang 12inch diameter posts and adjust hydraulically in any direction. Only to reflect on what is avery old design. I wouldn't be fencing now with my old kit. It was probably a 100kg weight. It was the worst part of the job. As for 120 degree swing that no Bryce could dream of, have you looked at the go anyway beast I posted a link to earlier in the thread. I know its a bit biased us having a bryce, But if it wasn't for Jock Bryces original design features, many of the current uk manufacturers wouldn't be producing the good kit they are, many design features are plagiarized, just check the earliest dates of a feature and see who follows. I also know of another fencing contractor who built his own machine, a manufacturer visited him about something else, then next thing was marketing knockers with 2 of his features!!! I know how I would feel. Patents are a futile waste of money as Bryce have come to know. Not having a nasty moment, just sharing what Im aware of.

You got a book already then Dave:thumbup:

No but deceased tree mens relatives would probably skip them as boring old books!

http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/landscaping/68822-where-hayes-fence-tensioner-all-started.html

Yes cage is a bit like a corset, keeps it in shape. If you do use them out of a cage. A firm flat surface underneath and only use them static. Also keep them out the sun for long life.

Forge area and overhead powerdrive pulley system.

And on a steep incline as well! No but I probably could in my dexterous 20s. Now I struggle to do my own laces.

These units stored various patterns for castings etc. You cannot help but be impressed with the auxillary skills real craftsmen used to have mentioned in the 2nd picture.

An older tool like Mull mentions. Probably still has more use left in it yet. A storage unit inside the works stocked with components for the smooth grip mechanism.

Back the thread with a slight derail. The Bryce one man machine mentioned early on in this thread, coupled with this would make the ultimate setup I think. I have been to see Alan who designed this and can say he is a very down to earth chap. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwYuQf3U6jA]ProFencer II in Action - YouTube[/ame]

You lads have one track minds! Old mill treecare surfed dangerously close to being expelled on the fave girls thread along with other members on here, Heres the link for the disappointed.http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/lounge/3578-favorite-tv-girls-boys.html Steve is asking for suggestions for new things on the forum here. http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/general-chat/68804-what-additions-would-you-like-see-arbtalk.html

Recently I visited the home of the Hayes Fence strainer/wire tensioner. Hayes Engineering Open Days: New Zealand Historic Places Trust It was a good 1/2 day of interest for anyone interested in engineering history or the Hayes fence tensioner. It was originally designed over a 100 years ago and still is marketed worldwide and in regular use in the fencing industry. There are 2 models the strainer with hooks for use with clamps and the original shown below that grips smooth or barbed wire then holds it whilst you secure it under tension. Hayes Wire Stretcher - Rappa Electric Fencing I will keep adding photos as I go. Here are the early types.

My experience on the pretty good going arable plains of east yorkshire. Yes with the Bryce suma sometimes we only lift the weight up 1 or 2 foot and the posts are in in a couple of knocks. I have never needed a rockspike except maybe in concrete yards, ( How much do you spend on your knocker?) As for posts per hour, I work with my wife she drives tractor I operate the Bryce. I haven't counted posts per hour, but if they are set out in approx required location and its not too dry. Probably 1 a minute is reasonable. Many claim machine gun rates, but, how many blokes do they have? How tidy is it? How long can they go at it at that rate? My philosophy is work well at a comfortable rate you can maintain. Get as decent a gear as your can cost effectively run. Do a good job. Im not in to the ondercut, brag, willy measuring contests either. Just another point on hammer weights, long drops of smaller weights can splinter shatter posts, whereas a short solid dull thud, I've found less dangerous as the weight is being stopped after contact. When I used a smaller weight I found you send it and dont hold back. Informative thread this and I like the frank assesment of machines. Btw I recently went to the Hayes engineering works in NZ I intend to start a thread with pictures at somepoint. Maybe tonight:001_smile: I really find my Hayes tensioners usuful especially when working alone. Is there a show us what you use fencing tools thread yet?

I think its the max supreme. 400kg weight with quadshift and adaptercap for 6x3 post n rail posts. Yes most places for strainers except narrow angled corners. Have one to knock in a pond this year with a tree on the bank in the way. Could use a left side mast in this instance. Sometimes you have to think about the posts around the strainers, because its easier to get the tractor backed up from the other approach if that makes sense. If I had a 5mile fence to do I'd invite you on a paid holiday for a play. But we probably only use the knocker 10% of or working time when fencing. Philip Jones Hope you are learning from our derail:001_rolleyes: Answer to original question. Never used a wrag but had a parmiter previously. A bryce is a true contracting machine designed for all day use, whereas a machine that is a 5th of the price, would make you ache with daily use.

Mines only a 13 incher, but I will not be intimidated into leaving, what was this thread about again?

Outta my league in this life I reckon. Quite enjoy working on my own as well.

Bryce do a swing type one now Tracked Fencing Machine | Bryce Suma We have a bryce suma. Very happy with it. It is a big open space machine. High rate rates, easy on the human body. Bryce and vector are sour. Bryce has the pointless patents.

I don't get it either on the original webpage it was a 1/3 of the size, I guess its something else thats got blown out of all proportion:001_rolleyes:

Only just found this thread.If its a gripe about being a senior after only a 100 posts imagine what Stephen Blair feels and looks like now!

I dump my woodstove ash, parents lawn clippings composted with wood dust/shavings from firewood cutting on mine. Try to vary where it gets put. I have only got 5x8mtr plot.

He's probably on a naff wage with those skills, meanwhile his "manager" has his feet on the desk yakking away in a warm office on 4 times the wage. Its one of those jobs were other people should spend a day with them, and appreciate each other more. Instead we have petulant young man kicking a ball around on excessive pay. Real skills learnt in the real world, not classrooms we need more of it .

A deluxe deer shelter, In a previous picture those of you paying attention would see domestic rabbits on an island.