JimM

Ok, now an Aspen 2 convert after running a load through my 346 today But the cost is eye watering for the 5 litre cartons and I currently can't store larger amounts. Guess I'll factor it in for better paid jobs only. :-(

Doing my 38/39 in a couple of weeks. Quite happy to test the 540T on that if Husky are listening.

Nice one Ed

No, taking the piss is when you cancel £3.5 billion worth of aircraft, that are already paid for, and cutting them up for the local metal dealers. You paid for them, I was within a month of flying on them, and your government scrapped them. Which is why I quit and headed treewards.

I'm on my final leave/terminal leave/resettlement now. About to go to TKF Training to do the climbing/chipper training. They're approved on the ELC list for 30/31/38/39 and have just got approval for the UA tickets too. Best advice is get an ELC in this financial year and if you're leaving post Apr 13 then you can get another ELC too, before you're technically out. Bear in mind that while you are still in the service all the accommodation and food is covered as well. You don't get it afterwards and I think you also get taxed on the ELC. I got great help from the Education Officer at Northwood and again at Lossiemouth. They're great help if you go in with the right questions and help sort the finances for travel etc. I'm also using an SLC for MEWP 3a/3b, and can use travel warrants and accommodation for that too. I went down the road of voluntary work to gain experience last year and it paid dividends in earning a reputation/getting recommendations. Best of luck mate, I'm loving it. And I still sing "I'm a lumberjack...." But quietly!

You could always add Studebaker to your list! This one seemed to be going strong when I saw it the other week down in St Neots.

Absolutely gutted for you guys. Hope they catch the scum.

Second that, 45 too. Changing my diet made a big difference to coping with the job.

PM him on here mate. I'm dithering over a 660 too. I've a 576 with 26" which is ace but I want something to run a 36" bar and maybe bigger. Looking at milling too and the 880 springs to mind but seems a bit too big to lug up the bigger trees. Not going to buy both. Anyone using a 660 with bigger than 36" on an Alaskan?

Love it! The kids were in hysterics over that.

I've used the Ryobi multi strimmer/brushcutter and hedgetrimmer kit. Use the thickest wire you can get in it for the grass and take your time on it. The brushcutter is good, but the cutting radius is poor and it'll take you longer. The vibes are awful in thicker brush though.. You can get Ryobi extension bars if you have the right model which will help with your hedge, but 15 feet will still need your ladders. Just be careful of your duty cycle (on to off time). Mine pretty much burnt out after a few weeks work, heavy brushcutting for long days, followed by a lot of hedge work. Get through this job and see if you can look to invest in more heavy-duty professional kit, as the guys say above.

Used one for a while now. Brilliant for chopping up crap wood that has metal in it. However! Not the most accurate unless you spend some time calibrating it.

Just get the bar and chain as said above. The NPTC CS requirements are a maximum of 15" bar, its not an individual assessor/trainer decision. PS Ron is a star, and goes all over. But you'll need to be quick.

Hope it went well today.

Just jumped from Trust to Arborisk and knocked 500 off the premium for more cover.

Water was what we were taught. Salts are replenished by normal diet. But in addition you need to be watching each others back. We've seen guys wandering around in circles on the pan with the onset of heatstroke. Don't want to imagine that with a running chainsaw thrown into the mix.

Use a 3 litre Camelback whenever its warm, but keep it filled in the cab other times. Just water. In an emergency it can be used to flood an injury too if you disconnect the mouthpiece. Used to freeze it overnight in the Gulf. It wouldn't take too long to defrost at 50C and kept your back cool for a while. Think it might take a bit longer in our summer heat. Will have to give it a go.

Ouch! Hope his surgery is successful and he gets well soon.

Sorry guys. Tried to buy a couple too, but no joy. I guess I was lucky enough to get one first time around.

That reminds me. Got more spending to do

I'm with you on this. 346xp on 15 and a 576xp with 18 and 26 is my current set up, but mainly doing woodland work. The 346 is a great, lightweight, all-day snedding whizz. Just 1 saw in the forest then I'm thinking a 560xpg with 15 and 18. Still considering saving up the funds for one.

Is that the standard size Oregon bar in the picture, TCD?

Seconded! Is there anyone else over your way that can lend a hand with these trees?

Oregon one from Jonesie. Has a decent slot for the hook to rest in when its being carried, rather than semi-bent around the bar. Does bend a bit, but hate to think how thick and heavy it would have to be for it not to. Haven't broken it yet.