Andrew Gale

I tended to use one sling as a bandolier and place the spares on that, the ground crew knew that when that sling was on the ground the group were sent back up.

In my opinion magnetic can look a bit iffy, now that's purely my opinion, I'm sure there a number of guys'n'girls on here who use them and get on wonderfully with them, so my preference would be sign writing; all of my trucks are sign written, even my wife's car has a business logo and company name of the spare wheel housing. Another option we've used, but tended to fall by the way side is to get some 'We're working close by and would like to apologise for any noise and inconvenience' cards made up and drop them into the neighbours of where you're working; looks kind and conscientious. We've also used signs placed outside of where we're working with a similar theme apologising for the noise blah, blah, blah. Another option, and this depends on how much cash you've got knocking about, is to have some pens or such like made up with your company name on them, pop them in with the quote or invoice, again its getting your name out there; you need to make yourself a better option than your rivals. I've also been accused of having too much sign written, T shirts, sweat shirts, base ball caps, fleeces; you name, it if I could put my company name on it I did. I could go on for ages and I would like to apologise for any of you who dozed off during this reply...............

Not sure where my posting has gone but from an advertising stand point truck sign writing is always a good place to start, once done it's free advertising. Get a good web page made up (if that's the right phrase); if you're techno minded do it yourself and save a few quid. Look into Parish magazines, mail drops, there's loads of options; spend the down time as a positive and blitz your local area with flyers. A good tip told to me a few years ago was, with your smart sign written truck drive to a NT site (or such like) and leave it there for a few hours; gives the impression you're working at the place. I've never tried this so cannot comment on whether it works, but at this stage of your business it will be hard work, you will be undercut, you will lose jobs; as Stephen says 'Welcome to self employment'.

I tend to have a number of differing lengths making the set up more adaptable. I think the smallest is 0.6m and the biggest 1.2m.

You've got to admire his ingenuity........

I'm going to show my ignorance about such matters now so please go steady with me. But could you not buy a 5.5t truck and down rate it to a 3.5t? Don't even know if this is possible. Obviously no idea about the issues of an O licence or other related stuff but I do know of a guy who bought a 7.5t truck, down rated to 6.5t to get over the issue of HGV; that's what he said anyway...

It states Renault further down the listing

Take it easy Stubby, had me a case of sun stroke a few years back and I would definitely not recommend that:thumbdown: On a plus side there's the pub along the quayside that may require your attention.........

So I've got 38.8 degrees in the garden and 28.6 degrees in the office; the office computer has been turned off due to it reaching an absurdly hot temperature. Thankfully the office is now out of the direct sun light but it's still ruddy warm. Keep cool guys'n'girls..............

What do you guys eat/use instead of wheat? I love a good loaf of granary and a nice bowl of pasta, how do you get around it?

It would appear that my experiences with BT have been contrary to the normal practice, don't I feel special.....

I doubt it; the line will snap and they'll charge the recipient to re-install. I'm speaking from my own experience of course, BT and I are not happy bed fellows, so I am extremely biased in my opinions. I hope they prove me wrong......

A tree ID book would be a good place to start, make sure it's got good photos or very good drawings. There's also an ID book for winter just to add another dimension to your ID training. Peter Thomas Trees: Their Natural History is very good, 2nd edition is available and the 1st edition is very good so I'd expect the 2nd to be just as good. Anything by Mattheck would be a good addition too. Try Treesource as a start for buying on line.

One of my first ever domestic customers mucked me about for months on a late payment; cheques being sent then cancelled, went round his house to collect and he wasn't in, claimed his car had been broken into and didn't have a cheque book. Finally got payment from his wife out of her own account, apparently this was his usual practice and he tried to blag not paying for anything I should've walked away when he first told me his name, Mr Mean....... I kid you not:lol:

Hazel or its scientific name of Corylus avellana. Not sure how long you'll need to keep them for before eating but you'd better get in quick or else the squirrels will have the lot; or dormice if you're lucky to live in an area where still around.

That's great guys, thanks for that; made me peckish now......

They're the ones........

Although we predominately work for the domestic market we do undertake commercial stuff which I really don't like doing due to the time taken for payment. Our worst experience was for a very large construction/civil engineering company who took 90+ days to pay a £5k invoice; they constantly put problems up reference our paperwork, we hadn't completed this form, we hadn't submitted that form etc. In the end it took the threat of the small claims court to finally get our money; suffice to say we haven't been asked to quote since, and even if they did I'd tell them to poke it

I know there's plenty of stuff on line but if you've got a minute what is your typical breakfast, lunch, dinner arrangement?

As with all of these types of schemes the quality issue will always be the sticking point. I've been a member since January 2008 and use it as a tool for potential clients to check us on. However, the issue of quality is my real bug bear; an example was a few years ago when a client asked for a really light reduction on a Silver birch which we duly did. It looked great, you'd hardly have known we had been there and the client (the wife) was over the moon. However the husband completed the return postcard and marked us down on his perception of quality; this was a fine example of tree work but because we hadn't knocked ten bales of **** out if it, he thought it was poor. I used the comment section to inform him of his error but what the client perceives to be bad quality will be different to yours. It's a good tool and I would recommend it.

Should've used the file instead:lol:

Underground services definitely need to be located before hand. We've been fortunate that all services have been visible when we've used the ground anchor.

We've use ground anchors for speed lining before when there hasn't been any trees or where the trees were insufficient as anchors but I've never used a ground anchor purely for lowering. In the past I've used a lowering device on the back of the trucks tow bar when I've needed to keep lines clear. In theory I can't see why it wouldn't work so long as the ground anchor is secure at all times - the ground anchor we use is ex-military and consists of an angle iron section which is 'stapled' to the ground via 8 x 1m long spikes; either end are eyelets where the shackle or such like are located. Not sure if this helps

Peter Thomas gets a second vote from me; easy to read and very good

The level of suckering along the bankside I'd go along with Tree of Heaven to