polish pete

Hi everyone, it seems to be a difficult season this time. Normally I rely on a couple of large conservation woodland contracts for Natural England or Wildlife Trusts plus domestic tree surgery jobs. But this season one of contracts fell through last minute and I'm struggling to source other work to patch up gaps in my diary. My main activities are tree surgery and conservation woodland work. I'm qualified and experienced with most of aspects of tree pruning and removal (apart from crane work) and usual felling work. Cs30,31,32,34,38,39,41. I've done some commercial forestry but I wouldn't call myself a forester. Apart from medium/large, windblown chainsaw tickets I have skidder and forwarder FMOG tickets, most of my experience is on Logbullet mini forwarder. I'm used to running my own coppicing, conservation contracts and general running of a small scale arb set up. My arb journey took me to RFS Arb Cert, ISA Cert Arb (expired by now) and Lantra Professional Tree Inspection award. I also passed Qtra course but I don't have my cert as it was paid and held by a company I worked for at the time. It was just a short time surveying trees for councils, mainly tapping a tablet. Another line of work is milling. I own 47" Alaskan mill with Stihl 880 powerhead and Timbery mobile bandsaw. I provide mobile milling services and occasionally work on larger Trakmet mill based in Witherslack. I also had a couple of years of experience doing some telecom work. We were travelling around UK doing line of sight work for emergency network. Bat surveying work- no bat licence but I did both ground and aerial work, one of them being HS2. I had Irata l1 and CSCS but I never got much work out of it not being the greatest fun of night shifts for large companies. I run L200 tipper truck with old Schlesing 220 chipper and Riko fast tow trailer. At this point I'm looking at getting my HGV licence. I'm looking at some work or networking opportunities. Happy to provide a self contained team or do some subby work in any aspect of tree related work. Also quite interested in people's suggestions on new paths. As being newly married I'd prefer to stay local to Cumbria but I'm open to any suggestions. Thanks in advance for any input!

That's a good point about winches- I'm not lifting or lowering anything! Let's see what the health and safety man says...

Does anyone know where in Cumbria/North Lancs I can get my hand and petrol winches Loler tested? New contract requirement...

Hi Josh, It's 180 degrees. I decided to keep it and figure out some sort of flat bed arrangement. Handy to pick up lengths and looks like I have some bits of larch to collect and mill this autumn.

I do a mixture of arb and woodland management work. I'm looking for new contacts with few self employed chainsaw operators of various levels of experience: from basic coppicing through medium trees felling to rigging and climbing. Rates depending on experience. Work is mainly based in South Cumbria, North Lancashire. Cheers Peter

I thought about it but it would be pretty high and I want something to transport a compact tractor or tracked chipper.

Good point, I'll get in touch with them!

Hi, I have this Riko timber trailer but I don't have enough work for it and am interested in swapping it for something that will be more in line with my work. I was hoping to pick up lots of logs for my mill but reality is that more often I'm collecting bits from arb jobs. Plus I can't use it for transporting machines on it. I'm interested in p/x for a flatbed trailer with hiab or Avant loader etc. I'm open to other options/ suggestions. Cheers Peter

Tree officer has sent me a map with tpo'd tree to make sure we were talking about the same one (the only one in the area). I described the situation: severe Ash dieback, concerned neighbour with large limbs over their property. I think I just need to get the paperwork in to get TO out to look at it. And Planning portal isn't very easy to navigate. Re replanting- I suspect this will be a part of removal agreement. Thanks for all the info!

My client asked me to remove diseased Ash tree that has a TPO. Westmorland and Furness council directed me to Planning Portal to put my application in. I'm struggling to find the right page to apply. Can anyone point me in the right direction? There is also an option to apply on W and F council page but they require maps to be included. Where can I find maps that will be recognised by the council? Thanks for any input Peter

I normally use my out of date climbing and rigging ropes but they don't last very well... Any suggestions on good double braid winching ropes? Torn between going budget or paying lots for a recognised brand. Cheers Peter

Hi Ben, happy new year! I hope you're keeping well? At the moment I'm mainly looking for someone with aerial rescue/ rigging experience. But I will be in touch if another coppicing job crops up!

I'm looking now for a couple of cs31 operators for a coppicing contract near Ulverston, Cumbria. Job starts beginning of November till end of February. Cheers Peter

Thanks Hodge!

Hi, I'm looking for a self employed person to help with various tree work projects. Domestic arb work, woodland management, coppicing. Grounding, feeding chipper one day, felling or deer fencing next day. I tend to mix different things and need someone flexible. Having cs31, aerial rescue, chipper would cover majority of tasks. My usual guy injured his shoulder and is out of action. I'm based in South Cumbria near Kendal and majority of my work is within 1 hour travelling time. Cheers Peter

My first proper chipper! I'm pretty happy with its performance knowing it's over 20 years old. Last week I had first big issue- when parked on a slope and used, it gave lots of smoke and stopped. I found lots of crap in fuel filter, friendly mechanic helped to sort it out saying it will be years of crap in fuel tank being shifted to the fuel line in this unusual position. Solution- clean the tank. Second problem- it doesn't always start when key is turned. Sometimes it starts first time, other times it takes forever. First turn, oil control turns every time, second- glow plugs, very often it won't light and last turn- nothing happens. I tried to clean the ignition barrel but no luck. It will start when I fiddled with 2 copper bits inside the barrel but not when barrel put back together and turned with a key. Any ideas? Is there any place where I could get a replacement ignition barrel? Thanks in advance!

My first proper chipper! I'm pretty happy with its performance knowing it's over 20 years old. Last week I had first big issue- when parked on a slope and used, it gave lots of smoke and stopped. I found lots of crap in fuel filter, friendly mechanic helped to sort it out saying it will be years of crap in fuel tank being shifted to the fuel line in this unusual position. Solution- clean the tank. Second problem- it doesn't always start when key is turned. Sometimes it starts first time, other times it takes forever. First turn, oil control turns every time, second- glow plugs, very often it won't light and last turn- nothing happens. I tried to clean the ignition barrel but no luck. It will start when I fiddled with 2 copper bits inside the barrel but not when barrel put back together and turned with a key. Any ideas? Is there any place where I could get a replacement ignition barrel? Thanks in advance!

Can anyone recommend a local to Lancaster traffic management company? Cheers Peter

Thanks for your offer billpierce but I prefer to buy a new one. I used couple of Echos but they weren't anything special, I think i want to try Makita.

Makita 4300 sounds like what I need! I remember few years back at Apf there was a Makita rep for north of England who was keen to do demos and sell gear at introductory rates, anyone has any contact details? Also is anyone using 43cc Makita brush cutter? Any good with mulching blade and clearing saw? And battery top handle saw- how good are they? Cheers for all advice so far ?

I have 170 for coppicing, nice and light but not enough for felling small stuff. I'll look at 230!

Hi everyone, I'm looking to buy a general groundie, small felling saw that my subbies can use. I'm fed up with one of the guys coming with another ebay saw that takes him half an hour to start just to blow up after a couple of hours. Something hard to break and easy to fix. It would be nice if it was Stihl or Husky so I can maybe use bars, chains from my usual saws but I'm open to any suggestions- Echo, Makita. Something around 40,50cc good enough to fell 15" trees and cross cut. cheers Peter

Also check Lowe Maintenance Training, they are in Settle, a bit of a distance from Carlisle but Phil is ex-army and offers discounts to fellow ex army guys. They also know lots of people in the area and can potentially give you some contacts.

Hi, from my own experience: talk to local tree surgeons, forestry companies. Most of people will want you to have at least your cs30,31 (chainsaw maintenance, cross cutting, felling small trees). Without this ticket you can drag branches to a chipper (although there is a ticket for chippers as well) and lift logs after someone else cuts them. I think if you're willing to spend days grafting you'll be ok. Stay positive and keep asking! I'm based near Kendal and sometimes need extra help but as stated above I expect you to have your basic chainsaw tickets as a minimum. Good luck!

I'm looking for occasional help with mainly arb jobs. Some rigging experience and aerial rescue. Work is in South Lakes, North Lancs. cheers Peter