Treerover

It’s more that you can quote cheaper but still get the tree down without having to price in the crane. Let’s face it, how many jobs would be easier with a crane but how many customers want to pay for the luxury. That said, there will also always be those jobs a crane won’t get to, Churchyards being a common crane no reach zone !!!

That is a cracking in depth review. I think it’s to be applauded that you have persevered and tried to get the best out of the harness before giving it your thoughts. I think that’s very commendable . I guess at the end of the day we have to remember to be objective and that what suits one person might not suit another........but all that said, you do highlight some pretty fundamental design flaws that should have evolved at the test stages and been sorted before its ‘fanfare unleashing’ on the greater money spending populous . I can’t help but feel that the purchasers are doing the R & D here to some level and not the designer/manufacturer . Sorry Craig. I also can’t help but be slightly suspicious of a product that came onto market at what can only be described as a pretty sensational price, only to be discounted heavily within a few months of release. All this said, it must be pretty bloody difficult to design a harness for our profession !!!!

Scaley downward sloping Sequoia branches. Been waiting since throwbags were invented for one to not Zag down every limb it ever lands on [emoji83]

This absolutely works, but sometimes takes more strums than Jimi Hendrix’s back catalogue.....but by the time that branch is isolated and that bags inching her way back down strum on strum.......somehow the rest of the world stands still ....[emoji1317]

Mark Bolam, I continually like very much and enjoy, nay look forward to, the cut of your erudite wisened jib on a routine basis on these posts. The industry seems somehow that bit more lovely with you in it. Great advice to Danners and as usual wonderfully humorous Much respect TR /Stephen

Dan mate. I think any of us who have been doing this a while have mulled over exactly what you’ve described in your post. It’s stressful as hell when the ‘phone doesn’t ring. How long have you been trading ? Like Silky says, I also try to get some sub contract work for people I like/respect when I’m up against it (sometimes it’s almost a relief to just go in and climb/ground without the organisational headaches) Look also to contact mortgage company/any credit providers and ask for a ‘payment holiday’ if things are really tight. You’d be amazed how many will stall payments temporarily. Most importantly, if you love this industry, and you’ve still got at least something left in your tank, you’re not out the game yet amigo. Surf the highs and doggie paddle your way out of the lows if you have to. It’s all cyclical . Survive this one and the next one you’ll be stronger still. Good luck [emoji6]

I love my GRCS. With the 2 speed winch ability it has without doubt enabled me to remove trees that those other competitors quoting, who do not own such a device, would have been pricing in a crane. The added option of the rigid larger aluminium bollard for non winch jobs really does allow for sensitive lowering . Biggest criticisms :- 1) taking the wrap out of the pig tale and out of the cinch plate is not an infallible procedure !!!!! 2) can be rigging rope fussy and wraps can occasionally slip whilst lifting heavy shiz. 3) Rather worryingly some years ago I pulled the capstan out to assemble it into the back plate and thought it sounded a bit ‘rattly’ , upon investigation I discovered that the internal bolts that held the capstan to its attached back plate had all come loose inside and required locktighting and re torquing . Could have been pretty catastrophic!! How does the Hobbs winch? I thought from my grey memory matter you have to put a crude pole into the drum ?? And it doesn’t seem to have the 2 speed ratios that the GRCS has. Where do you live ? If you’re near Warwickshire you could borrow mine and try it?

Looks like it’s 24 strand 13mm according to Gustharts. Pretty thick by today’s standards and will run through your Zig Zag like a boa constrictor trying to swallow a hog !!

Lyon Equipment used to sell the replacement cradles for Petzl helmets as the main importer/distributes for Petzl Work type shiz. I’m not sure whether they also do “Petal Cradles”, you may need to ask the fairies at the bottom of your garden about those [emoji23]??[emoji23]

The aluminium ones suit my budget, velcro top straps and leather bottom straps. Prob get an extra set of long gaffs. Why the hankering for extra long gaffs ??? They’re pretty loooooong.......like good for Sequoias type long . ? I like the Distel Carbons very much and have used and tip toed across concrete on them for quite a while now, but if the aluminium ones are the same pattern , they might mean less tip toeing !!!! (You need to preserve the carbon bottom ......ooer) I’ve just replaced the lower Velcro’s with leather straps, and if I’m being honest, i preferred the comfort and fine tuning of the Velcro over the leather but not the fact it sometimes migrated around the shank .

I’d be wary of the longevity of the expanded foam insert. The foam can also act like an insulator and block air flow over the top of the head . Remember our helmets that have a webbing cradle at least allow an air gap over the top of the head . It does look nice and light though doesn’t it.

Let us not forget that Kretz affects the roots as much, if not more, than the main stem, so a drill test is far from infallible and could be argued MAY give you false confidence . One thing I would say which hasn’t been mentioned, especially with a broad canopied species such as beech with very heavy timber, is if you’re worried about stability of the stem or root plate , take the tree down in a balanced symmetrical manner. I always will try to even up the load balance of the limbs around the canopy as I dismantle it if the tree is really dodgy. Sometimes such trees are virtually balancing themselves with their canopies without much help from the root plate . Bias this load too much and you could potentially be heading for problems . Yes I, like others have dismantled and rigged a great many trees affected by Kretz or Ustulina as it used to be called and live to tell the tale, but those that may have got it wrong probably aren’t here to write about it !!!!

Ha......I’m literally sat at my kitchen table configuring my new TM, so I’ve got an old one on my lap right now . The d’s have seen some use though as they’re 11 years old I reckon !! I’ll send you one FOC if you want ??

You may need to find another avenue perhaps my friend ? Just sayin’ like

I have an actual piece of the cross upon which Jesus was sacrificed.....admittedly it does, to the casual amateur observer , look like a branch union of a Leyland Cypress, but I can assure you this is the genuine shiz . Yours for offers in excess of the price of a bottle of Absinthe (the large one , not the breakfast sized hip flask version) .....

Yes after revisiting the photos , I think you maybe pin on with that one. That natural canopy step in the first ‘before’ photo would seem a nice line to follow for the specified reduction wouldn’t it? And what a paltry fine. That said, I see A LOT worse almost daily . When will our industry be better policed ?? ??‍♂️[emoji1391]‍♂️

Oh contrare. I see where you’re going with that. Inspired guess I’d say......and more on the money than most, but I’d say the field setting is possibly a distractor do you think? I’ve only ever seen them in Arboretums . Your thoughts ......? [emoji1303]

Evergreen oak ??? Have you been drinking ? [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

Some up close leaf shots would be a boon, as would higher res photos .

They are beautiful

Yes that position is a bit like the bolt upright position you find yourself in in bed when you realise you haven’t deleted your search history and your Missus is on your lap top down stairs. As for the window arm cramp issue, my window dropped off the x rail quite some time ago and smashed on the tarmac courtesy of the Defender doors legendary inability to resist rust on the steel inner strengthening ribs !!!! Never had a problem with elbow room since.......[emoji23] Hypothermia though .....yes [emoji32]. Rear window rattle ..... wedge a stick in it ....works just lovely and you can talk to it in traffic jams

Mine was a second hand McCulloch top handle circa 1996. It had the option of pressing some top sharpening stone down onto the cutters whilst it ran!!??!! How the living Jesus could that ever have worked ?? It did however earn me some money whilst at college until I could afford my next saw...... The Stihl 020AV...... What a heavy beast . I miss the plug chain petrol cap linkage and the filthy power......but not the arm crippling weight !!!

How gorgeous is this Bill. Nice one [emoji1317]

The thing is we’re not altering traffic flow. We can cone and sign around crane and barrier tape/rigid barrier work zone with 2 Groundsman . We’re taking up 2 - 3 occasionally used parking spots with the crane. I’ve done it loads , but now this licence thing seems to have thrown a curve ball [emoji31]

Anyone tried these yet? They look a bit sexy. My Arbortec Breathflexs are a poorly designed baggy pile of w@#k so desperate to replace them stat.