Spruce Pirate

I couldn't agree more. There now seems to be a lot of duplication and I'm unsure whether my old units cover some of the new ones. If anyone can help clear this up I'd be grateful.

Hazel? I remember collecting nuts for seed years ago from what was basically a scree slope. It wasn't solid rock, but there wasn't much soil around, more or less loose rock. I've seen Scots pine and aspen growing out of rock faces before now. Any indicators to tell you what woodland type it should be if its ecologically important?

I suppose somebody has to like it! It's made me a fair bit of dosh over the years, but I still hate it.

Surely its still more important to get the cuts and practical aspects like sharpening right. So long as you know that TPO's, felling licenses, Conservation Areas, etc exist and you need to ask about them you should be OK. You're being assessed on your competence to fell trees and work a chainsaw, not apply for all the relevant licenses and permissions. Be aware of the legal stuff, but make sure your cuts are right. Oh, and good luck, hope it goes well.

This may be a silly question, but what type of solic rock? Rowan, for example, seem to be able to grow quite well on a cliff face, but if you're talking about a severly compacted site, like an ex quarry, I wouldn't be sure what could get a root down. Willow perhaps? Pretty sure (if you really need to plant something, rhododendron will grow anywhere but please don't do it!

I get all my hi-vis stuff from HVW (Hi-Vis Workwear) on-line. I think they do a full range of railways compliant stuff. Google HVW and have a look on their site.

If your winch is powerful enough you shouldn't need to climb or mess around with throw lines. The trees don't look that big, tied at head height should do the job with a decent winch. It does look much more fun dropping them into the river though.

If the diff lock isn't working it could be as simple as the linkage having come apart. I had that happen on the last land-rover trying to pull beech timber out of a field in the snow. The clevis pin at the bottom of the transfer/diff lock lever came out, 30 second fix, about an hour to take the floor etc out to get at the, er, blighter. Sounds like 300 tdi, don't know why you'd retro-fit a 200 tdi to an S plate?

THis has always served me well: Dirty Deeds, Done Dirt Cheap.

I think if its part of a WGS you're covered as it would be integral to the grant application. I think they used to call it a WFL (WGS with Felling License). Others might know better.

If your a subby just now, where's the harm in your current company finding out? Are they going to stop using you as a subby because you're doing a bit for yourself as well? If they are then I'd be wanting to look for something else anyway. I agree, get tools and kit as and when you need it, that's the way I've always done it too. DRS is right, it is difficult to judge how you're going to do without jumping in two-footed, but it is a big step to take, especially if you don't have work rolling in to begin with. If you're right and you can get 2-3 days a week subbying (I forgot about that in my first reply) then at least that gives you some income. Start small would be my advice and get kit when you need it, no sense in laying out a lot of money only for it to sit in a shed not earning for you.

I'd keep working for the firm your with, but try to find work on your own when you're not at work. Saturdays, days off etc. That way you'll be able to judge how much work there is about, how much hastle it is to find it, how much it actually puts in your pocket for the hours you do etc, at least get a taste for self-employed life before you jump in with both feet. If you find there's plenty of work and you really enjoy it then you can give up the job and go for it, but if there's not much work and you find its too much for you then you haven't burnt any bridges. Only my 2 cents, but self-employed isn't for everyone. Not trying to put you off, I think you should go for it, but would ease into it rather than diving straight into the deep end.

Partner

Had a 2.2 for a couple of weeks last year courtesy of BT when one of their vans crashed into the back of the old 110. I was pretty impressed with it on the main roads, got up to speed pretty quick, but found it painful on the more windy roads, constantly changing between 5th and 6th. Used to the Td5, stick it in 5th and off you go. Found the 2.2 pulled a trailer OK as well, but never did all that much towing with it. For having road tyres it did pretty well in the muck as well, TC and anti-stall help I think.

Always prefer Oregon to Husky bars.

I've been told by contracts managers - a few, on various occassions - that they spoke to BT to get a line dropped and the response was that BT's position was that they wouldn't drop the line, but if it was broken they'd come and fix it (for free). I always found this very hard to believe, I always thought that as the guy holding the saw, somehow BT would manage to present me with a bill. Always taken great care around BT lines and never damaged one yet, but I'd be interested to hear if this is true - that if you contact them in advance and they refuse to drop the line that they will rectify any damage. On a side note, I've heard that the only way to get a line dropped is to tell them that THEIR line is in YOUR way and you need it dropped or they will be liable. Does anyone know if this is true?

Agreed.

Axe Men has got a bit silly with all the playing to the camera, apart from Shelby - he looks the full penny short of a shilling, well worth watching. Swamp Loggers, American Loggers, Heli Loggers all well worth a watch.

I've heard of it, but thought it was another closed doors committee type thing. I'll look into joining now that I know I can.

I'd be interested to know prices too. Thanks

Its a problem of perception. If someone phoned me up at 7.42 on a Sunday morning I'd be royally pi... um, annoyed. But I know that I work the other 6 days and probably spend a couple of hours a night doing maintenance / paperwork on top. The custormer gets my number from the local shop, paper or wherever, they just see a business selling logs and don't know my circumstances. It could be a someone just coming of a night shift, suddenly remembers to call, who knows. In this day and age people are used to calling call centres at any time for the most ridiculous of reasons, it wouldn't surprise me to find that people view the log business in the same way. Perhaps not so much inconsiderate as ignorant? I think I would go proper mental all the same though if it happened to me:laugh1:.

Enlighten us then.... what PPE do you need to change a lightbulb?

Knew a guy who ran one a couple of years back. From what I remember it was a 51 plate and he was having to get Peugeot parts for it, alternator anyway I think. Don't know if the rest of it was Peugeot or not.

Definitely looks like sitka to me (and I've seen a lot of it), and I'd agree 30-40 years old. Someone's already posted a link to the FC website, but, Felling License regs as I remember them: You need a license to fell more than 2m3 of timber if it is for sale. If not for sale then this increases to 5m3. This is per callander quarter, so you can fell 4.9m3 on March 31st and another 4.9m3 on the first of April, but nothing further until July etc. You do not need a license if the trees are in a garden, park, church yard, not sure about orchard trees or if the trees are less than 7cm dbh in a clearfell situation or less than 15cm in a thinning or if the trees are dead, dangerous or blown. On the basis of the pictures I would say you almost definitely need a license, however if you think that there is a possible exemption I would contact your local FC Conservancy Office and get advice from a Woodland Officer. They will be able to tell you for sure and advise you on the best way to apply for a license, there will almost definitely be a condition to re-stock if you are clearfelling. The grants system used to be fairly straight-forward, but its a long time since I had anything to do with it and I'm led to believe that these days its much more complicated, to the point where you will probably have to get proffessional help with it.

Smokey and the Bandit