norfolk_tom

Cheers Dan, appreciate your thoughts and I understand what you mean. I had the roller out before and the spline drive looked in decent order, I might try swapping it out and see if it helps. The spline drive sits recessed from the esge of the blades where as I would have expected it to sit slightly proud to help centralise the roller or a there be a spacer through the slot in the side of the roller box to touch the motor and stop it drifting too far that way. I'll check with Timberwolf. Thanks.

Hi all. I've got a 2007 a Timberwolf 150DHB on nearly 2000hours, its a decent machine for its age but has a problem with the roller box. The top roller drifts towards the motor side ahnd as been gradually chewing into the side of the roller box. I hadn't noticed it before but now its worn so thin that its starting to deform and stop the slider section moving up and down freely. As I understand it there's no bush/spacer etc on that side so surely this is bound to happen? Before I get the box repaired I want to know if there's any reason this is happening and is there a way to stop the problem reoccurring in the future? Cheers

Thanks for all the comments, I'm pleased my question has started an interesting discussion; I used to work in construction management so I've seen it from both ends of the spectrum and agree there's little point in rules without enforcement With regards my OP, there were no landscaping plans submitted as it was just a domestic extension so no 5year planting/maintenance/replacement requirement and the tree condition only stipulates protection during construction phase so from that and what's been discussed here I don't think there's any barriers to removal. The immediate neighbour wants it removed too anyway. As I understand it the 5837 report is about identifying conflicts with the development? The tree didn't affect the build and vice versa so the desire to remove it has nothing to do with the planning application, customer just doesn't like it. Anyway, I'll see how they want to proceed as I think you're right and the risk would be on them. Thanks again

Hi all. So a customer has extended their house; had a 5837 report that highlighted a few trees to remove which we did but had a medium macrocarpa at the end of the garden that was retained and apart from moving a soakaway to clear the RPA there weren't any other conflicts with the build so no need to remove the tree. Customer now wants it removed. My question is as the extension has only just been finished can we remove the tree or is it somehow protected by the planning condition. The condition obviously stipulated adherence to the AMS etc to protect trees to be retained but it doesn't specifically mention the tree or place any protection measures on it. Thoughts? Cheers

Morning all. Need some help please to ID a bracket fungus at the base of a Robinia stem, I've got an idea from searching on here what it might be but don’t want to lead your thoughts. It's about 10 inches across and right at the base of the stem. Tree is mature and in good health, we removed some small deadwood last year but no recurrence and it's got a full crown of leaf. Need to try and identify what it is and its decay mechanism as both client and I are reluctant to jump straight to removing tree unnecessarily, though it is very close to their house. Thanks in advance, Tom

I see your point, it must be compulsary in law for a reason, presumably to cover these freak accidents where no one is at "fault", despite all the required checks and regulations it just happened. Obviously if the kit wasn't LOLER'd then noones insurance would be valid? (similar to if you crash a car that isn't MOT'd then your car insurance wouldn't pay out) Thats my understanding but it's only a presumption, can anyone clarify further?

I think Travis Perkins stock a brand called "4trade", similar to the hammerlin ones but not as fancy, think they might be made by the same folk just different name so a bit cheaper possibly. I picked one up surplus from a builder mate of mine and its a tough old thing Still quicker to chuck logs down the embankment though!

Well said Dan, I've had the same problem trying to explain this to some employers. It seems such a simple situation but in many cases they've actually been confused by what their insurance company has told them, some (obviously not all) companies seem to throw around the term subbie without providing enough distinction between labour only and "bona fied" appointments. I don't understand why the term "freelancer" isn't better defined and adopted to avoid this confusion I've been asked too before to present proof of my Public Liability cover for a labour only appointment, only to have to go to great pains to explain it's irrelevance in that type of arrangement

I took the Otley 10 week course in Spring/Summer 2011 as a career change (having worked in construction management for 5 years after my degree). I’d never even picked a chainsaw up, but I went for it anyway. I enjoyed the course a lot, good environment, good tutors, but the learning curve is near vertical when you get out in to the real world, tough but great fun, I love my job and I’ve not looked back once. I've been working as a freelance groundie/climber for a year now, not always as busy as I'd like to be but I was expecting that as a newbie and its a competitive market after all. So far I'm doing OK, a combination of lucky breaks in terms of opportunities opening up and then hard work to try and keep these opportunities open for myself. I've also worked for a guy I studied with and for a guy from the batch of 10 weekers that that preceded mine so people are making it work. I funded my own training and bought all my own kit, a big financial investment, but what better to spend your money on than trying to secure a living for yourself? Just be realistic with yourself, it's hard to get going in an industry that’s so experience based; be honest to people about your abilities, be keen to learn and don't underestimate the importance of people skills - you'll work in a small team so you need to know how to fit in. Best of luck

Any progress with your build Tom? I need to do the same for my ranger, just got a plastic liner in the tub at the moment. Was going to strip it out and build a ply tub then for the greedy boards I was thinking of some brackets that would reach over the tub edge/lip and bolt to the existing fixings for the tie down rails running down the sides. Cheers, Tom

All that codwood will be no use without some chip

Paul, What do you know of this Rolo H&S Awareness Course. Apparently it's a prerequisite to applying for the card and I've seen costs of circa £175+VAT advertised!? Time you've added the cost of the test and the card itself it adds up to about £250 for a CSCS card, surely this is madness?

Just an update on my CSCS card application; Phoned CSCS who said that Arb/Tree Surgery applications are now all handled by an external organisation/company called BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries) and all the card categories and titles have changed: Quality Assurance: LISS/CSCS No mention of costs etc; waiting for a call back on Monday so will let you know how it goes

Thanks for all the feedback, will get on to them tomorrow

Cheers for the feedback guys, can I do that then, multiple occupations on one card? Couldn't find anything about it, plus figured they'd try and charge you for each one individually!?

Need to get a CSCS card sorted, going for the white/grey "Construction Related Occupation" Card but wasn't sure which occupation code to use from the following: 5018 Arboriculture & Forestry Operative 5055 Chainsaw, Tree Climbing 5378 Chainsaw Operative 5310 Tree & Vegetation Clearance Operative I'm a freelance climber/groundy, so in theory I could be doing any of those on a site! Just wondered what everyone else has(??) before I ring them up (as I doubt they have a clue what the difference is themselves!) Cheers, Tom

Sounds good, be nice to meet some locals and pick up some new ideas. May have to play rugby in the afternoon but will come for the morning at least.