aswales

Lots can be done with hand tools, saws, brushcutters, chainsaws etc, if budget allows contractors with flail machines can be quicker if access is possible and terrain suitable

Sounds like a good project, lots to do....Before you do anything try and develop a basic woodland management plan, establish short, medium and longer objectives for the woodland, garden etc. If necessary get help with this before you start any tasks. Can't beat a good plan...make a few notes... Decide what you can tackle and what requires a contractor. Allocate tasks and a budget for each year for first few years... Plenty of resources out their to help, forestry commission, small woods association etc https://smallwoods.org.uk/. Become aware of any likely legal requirements such as felling licences, specific requirements for larch , are you in a conservation area etc..plenty of info out their to help... https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tree-felling-licence-when-you-need-to-apply

ITs a good starting point, I did the course with Treelife (Tutor was excellent...) - went to their classroom based course for 12 Mondays spread over 9 months, really enjoyed the experience, met some interesting people and its given me a good grounding.

That's interesting to hear Another point if we do try and get hooked/like a Chinese chain brand we would want to run with it, not suddenly find that you've decided to trial yet another whilst you firm up on which you're going to stock. I'm in the market for some stuff next year, just been doing a review of what I have...even had some talks on some shiny new orange-red-white things... Yet another use for the kitchen.... Arbtalk.co.uk | Discussion Forum for Arborists

This idea quote "This is a starting point. We'll see what people think of which chains and narrow the list down to one of the manufacturers." is flawed... If a customer gets his/her fingers burnt with your Chinese chain and it is rubbish he won't come back again for another round with you at his/her expense, you'd be lucky to get any other business out of them... You are asking us to do your trial work at our expense...there's no commercial sense for a customer to keep buying unknown Chinese chain from you whilst you narrow it down to the right one It also means your trial data and commercial judgements on which Chinese chain to import is not likely to be meaningfull because you've no set of users that's trialed each one...

OK, so you are trying the chain yourself. So for someone commercial to switch and benefit financially from switching the first trigger is the risk (I'm not taking just safety here) include the economics. So capital cost, frequency of sharpenings, chain life/replacement frequency, how many times can you sharpen, cutting performance..etc If any of these is radically poorer take up by pro tree people will be low. A tree crew under time constraints to get the days work done ringing up wouldn't be happy if there days cutting took more time or they overrun due to the chain etc... Different for occasional users...not so important... What could be worthwhile is a number of organisations working together in a benchmarking exercise on chains include the well knowns and some of these you're trying to get to a reasonable position in the market. Are forestry journal, forestry research (Roslin,) doing anything ? Is it worth talking to them ? You are making a serious and passionate case about this, got to respect that... Even odd VAG group parts are made by suppliers in China... If you can get some people working with you and a proper case study together where the economics and other aspects stack up..., not just a few random guys feeding back on this forum on a cheap Chinese chain purchase....that could be worthwhile

OK, get your points, my comments on my opinion on risk...Chinese chain has been around for years...I've experienced Chinese stuff that fails when it shouldn't, simple things, so tend to steer clear..Competitive Price always attracts interest... What is your own experience of running it on a saw and how it compares to other chain offerings by the chain vendors we all know and trust, some of which you sell ? There is a report in the forestry journal (online) on the new Husqvarna chain...interesting read...

Rob....its not prejudice its about safety and not just to me.... You have been in this industry for long enough, hopefully done your homework and as far as I am aware have a good reputation particularly on this forum...don't spoil it by trying to push cheaper Far Eastern products...particularly with something as important as chainsaw chain As we all know, the chain is a critical part on a saw it suffers all the stresses of being flung around the bar at high speed with and without lubrication....embedded in the wood A long time ago I left school and studied Metallurgy and Engineering..., life has later taken me in other directions... This Chinese chain - what European/UK testing, verification and comparisons have you/others actually done before you are asking people on here to try ? Has it gone in a lab somewhere and a report compiled along with a couple of known manufacturers chains ? Husqvarna have just built a new chain line, gone to great lengths on analysis and testing... Have you used it in a working environment for 6/12 months without issues ? Putting it out there and asking for feedback from the guys, your tone infers that its our risk.... If there is an accident which comes down to this stuff where does everyone stand ? HSE gets involved, insurance companies, law suits...reputations destroyed Sorry the risk is too great...

I'd want to know that the rivets holding all together are made to the right standard and quality...snapping chains...never mind the price...then the wear rate...wouldn't like an insurance claim for an accident that's down to inferior cheap and nasty Chinese chain...

Do the fakes have the metal tag husqvarna data plate ?

Had also considered a structural wood frame by a company such as Carpenter Oak at Kirriemuir

I've been thinking about building a part log/wooden house for while there are a couple of firms that I've been looking at Fleming homes of DUNs and Hebridean homes.

If you can the models of hydraulic motor/s off the unit try talking to the guys at flowfit, they should be able to help you size a hydraulic powerpack

How much do you want to spend ?

There is a husqvarna stump grinder (based on the 272 disc cutter power unit) on ebay at the moment can just see the remote throttle in the pics...

Had an idea on this - Stihl, Husqvarna, Partner supply a cart/trolley that holds a petrol disc cutter these have a remote throttle arrangement that clamps over the throttle on the disc cutter...local friendly dealer might be able to help...

There is a nice chart against a particular drill from cutwel that tells you what its best at drilling

I buy from Engineering Cutting Tool Supplier | Cutwel Ltd, they have a great range including ones that will drill hard materials...

Just been looking at battery pole saws, has anyone any experience of these ? Oregon PS250 is quite affordable if you can't justify the cost of a Husqvarna or stihl, any one got one ?

Threaded studs can often be replaced, most competent mechanics/fitters should be able to do that for you if you unable to manage yourself. Picture as breezeblock says would be good... Whereabouts are you ?

A quick couple of picks out of the box, perspex and bar to fit yet

Out of curiosity just bought the 48 inch version, looks like a good clone/copy. At first glance quality seems OK.

There are a few books worth a read that cover some of this - The Conversion and Seasoning of Wood - William H Brown There is a collection of Fine woodworking articles gathered together in a book - Fine Woodworking on Wood and How to Dry it Harvesting Urban Timber a complete guide - Sam Sherrill If you want to really get into wood science/engineering - Wood Handbook Wood as an engineering material