pos1981

I too am a bit of a lurker on this forum. I agree that his practice was dangerous and unprofessional, but this is how some people choose to be? Like people that ride motorbikes wearing just jeans etc. Or the professional arb worker who wears his ppe when doing tree work then fails to put it back on when just "trimming" a small limb or whatever. Another thought but not related to safety would be that maybe this guy has tried to find work through a reputable company to learn things correctly, but with no luck and is now going it alone and learning as he goes?? I think people are very quick to judge on here, rather than to guide them into the correct ways. Just an observation

Evening all, Im looking at get a extendable hedge trimmer, There's on on ebay the saying its a stihl ht75, now i thought the ht75 was a pole pruner?? Also what is a good second hand value on these in good condition. Thanks in advance Ed

I would love to be earning that in a day! so far it takes me around a week to get that and them im out doing gardenig jobs either before or ater work.

I understand what you say pedroski but this is where the undercutting starts

I know what your saying mark and I haven't got a clue what the answer is. I didn't have any interest at going self employed I would be more than happy working for someone. I still won't go self employed but I can see why people do and this is why work is under cut and like felixthelogchopper says weather through inexperience or chasing work it's going to happen. I see that there is talk from lantra I believe about having some sort of apprentice scheme?? Not sure whether that would work.

Evening all, After having read all the comments on this thread i felt i had to have a small input to it. I am new to this industry and as like everyone else that is new, Im finding it hard to get a foot in the door. I have emailed and phoned various companies to try and get some experience, ive even offered to gain experience by doing work voluntarily. This has all drawn a blank. So Let me voice my opinion and please don't shoot me down in flames but it is what ive experienced. 1) like i say i contacted lots of companies looking for some work to gain experience i don't expect much if any money for this. 2) I decide to go out and get my cs30 +cs31. At the start of the course we were all asked what tree stuff people had done, there were varying answers. During my course i have a look at on arbtalk and read about a guy who had failed his cs31 but passed his cs30. There were lots of comments about going getting some practice in and doing lots of practise cuts on trees until confident. 3) I read a lot about about people undercutting people and so called Gypsies doing rubbish work etc. So these are my findings and i just want to quickly summerise. Only one of the many companies ever gave me any work for which i am gratful but this not that often. Companies and i can understand want people with qualifications. Fine i go out and pass my cs30+31. During the course i felt quite useless at times as i didn't have the confidence as some of the others as i didn't have the experience! I have no where that i can practise cuts etc as no body in the industry is going to let me loose on trees that i have no experience in. So to go back to the original thread, I passed my cs30 and 31 i can fell small trees upto a diameter of 15", if i was offered a small tree to take down cut up and take away then i would. What would i charge??? Ive no idea because im having to learn as i go on, Probably less than £100!!! The feeling i get is that experinced established companies don't want all these as some people put it "young college leavers" to come straight out of college with no experience and start working as their competition. What else can they do???? People also say I wouldn't do this job for less than this or im not breaking my back for that, and then are constantly saying to newbies that this is a tough industry and back breaking work. All im saying here is if a lot more established compaines maybe gave some of the newbies a bit more of a chance and an opportunity to gain some valuble work experience then maybe there would be less of this so called under cutting??? Im sorry to go on and i hope that makes sense. Ed

Hi all, Thanks for all of your replies, ive now managed to source most of the equipment needed. The list that i put was the list which was sent to me by the college running the course, therefore they obviously don't supply the equipment. Thanks all for the help as usual. ed

Hello all, Ive got my CS30 and 31 one course starting on Tuesday, ive been given a list of equipment that i need but can't seem to find anything in the shops i realise its laste as we have the bank holiday on Monday. I would be greatful if anyone could give me an idea oof where i can get the items. Im based on the nottinghamshire/Derbyshire border. The items are as follows: Guide bar cleaner Round file File guide flat file depth guage setting tool chain oil measuring device for cutter length? Fellling bar small wedge. I have tried a shop in Nottingham that i thought would have it all but they don't. Thanks in advance. Ed

Thanks for the replies guys. Tom10 some very vaLid points thanks for that. I appreciate your input tom d thanks for that, I have in fact bought all new ppe now, I don't have the hi viz though! Robert.s your comments are very positive and I appreciate them, I would love nothing more than to leave my current job and go it alone, but I'm not sure I can make that plunge just yet. I do believe what you say though about it's only me that's stopping me! I am determined to make this change of career work for me and I will succeed! On another note and also another reason for asking about the chipper what would be an ideal multi purpose/use vehicle to potentially get? Thanks again for all of the input it all means a lot. Ed

Thanks for that. Good advice very much appreciated, I will take this on board. Ed

Hi all, thanks again for the input here. I just wanted to say im not in anyway trying to undercut anyone, I just looking for someone to give me a chance to prove myself. Im offering to work voluntarily because i understand without experience to someone im next to useless. Everybody is looking for workers that have experience, how do you get that experience???? Im willing to work hard, ive spend any extra money i have on equipment i now have all my own PPE and will be doing what people have recommended. The chipper idea was just something that i thought might be able to me out there working. Im not going to do that now thanks to the advice given here. Thanks again Ed:001_smile:

Thanks a lot guys for the info a great help and in reality confirms what i thought, really but just wanted someone elses thughts. i just seem to have hit a brick wall really trying to find experience. I have my own ppe and will keep getting in touch with companies. It may seem like buying into the industry but i just thought it may be a way to see others work and get some experience but like others have said id only get the experiene chipping which is something that i did think. Im not looking to start up on my own, anytime soon if ever really. If somebody took me on once i was experienced then i would be more than happy to work for them. Ive heard a lot of poeple say that the industry is saturated with both genuine and very good aborists and there are also some not so good ones. I think this may be down to not being able to get a foot in the door to start with, I think some people get a few tickets and then start on their own with little knowledge or exprience. I think that all the comments are very valid and i thank you for them. Hopefully ill get there:thumbup:

Hi all, ill keep it short. Im new to the industry and have my cs 30 31 booking for a months time. Ive enquired with quite a few people about voluntary work to get me some experience within the industry. Things have been quite for me, so i was wondering do i buy myself a van and a chipper, get my chipper ticket and then offer my chipping services in return for work experience. I would appreciate all thoughts. Cheers Ed:confused1:

Hope everything goes well for you, here's for a speedy recovery:001_smile:

Thanks for the advice born2trot its good to know that this is the case. That post gives me great confidence to keep my head done and stay determined to stick at it. Thanks again

Ive bought my ppe for obvious reasonand i need it for the cs30+31. I also need a saw for the course so rather than borrowing one for the course i thought i would buy one to use get used to and take apart etc. I realise i need my 30+31 before i can progress to 38 etc but the courses fill up fast and the 38 is only a month or so after the 30, so it would have been nice to provisionally book on the 38 etc under the condition that i pass the lower qualifications. As it is ill have to wait longer to do more. Thanks for the input born2trot really appreciate it, i understand exactly where your coming from the frustration is im in a dead end job with no promotion prospects and just wish i had been given better advice when i was younger. Granted i might not have taken things as seriously at that age but i wouldn't have had as many slowing me down. For example: I work shifts full time so getting out is difficult. i have bills to pay etc unlike someone of a young age. Courses are generally cheaper etc. I just think it is very hard and not just in this industry but all over for someone a bit older to leave a job and re train on a different career path. I will however stick at it and i will in a few years time be on here talking about how much i am enjoying what i am doing!!

Thanks guys, Ive just had a quick ten mins on the knot guide and i think ill do just that geoff!!! I a bit of knot experince as im a caver but climbing techniques and some of the knots are a little different. Thanks for the advice arborholic im not sure whether i can book my 38 until ive passed the 30 and 31 shame really as the waitng takes so long. born2trot im now 30 i just wish i had gone to college and don't a relevant course and done this sooner! Heinsight eh:confused1: Ed

Great start thanks for that guys. Ive actually got three saw's now and i think only one of them will be any good in the real arb world! Geoff you must have read my mind i was just about to look on the knot guide. Thanks guys:thumbup1:

Hi all, I have posted a few times on here but read more than post. What i want to know what should i buy next. I am keen to start in this industry im getting on a bit in terms of starting in the arb sector but im determined to get there. I work full-time and at the moment this is proving a bit difficult to get the experince i want and need. Ive been out a couple of times and hope there will be more with tom2020(thanks tom) Ive bought my essential ppe equipment, but wondered what i should buy next?? Its doesn't neccesarily have to be equipment but it could be books knots guides etc. Im looking for info that will help me get a kick start into the industry. Ive also got my cs30+31 booked.# Thanks for reading and thanks for the help, Ed:thumbup1:

Love the vid keep them coming. I can't wait till im doing this type of thing!!!

A great piece, i cannot wait until i'm up in the trees doing what you guys do!

Well what a varying mix of ways that people got into arb, amazing! I originally started this topic as i have been in a dead end job for the last 8 years working in sport at a university. I got into this as i was very sporty. I go caviing and rock climbing and enjoy anything a little different, ive always climbed trees as a kid and have still been known to climb a few now and again! Im 30 now and realise that time is ticking away for me but i really want to get into this industry. Ive been lucky enough that a guy on here has let me come with him on a couple of jobs and for that im really greatful. There is a guy that also works with him that is a young gun and is at college and he has some good knowledge. My question is how would people recommend that i try and gain valuable experience baring in mind i work full time, i want to get experince but i also want to get the correct info to hopefully one day become a qualified and hard working climber. Thanks for reading Ed:001_smile:

I love watching these videos, fantastic stuff!! Forgive me as i have limited knowledge but im trying to learn, what were those cuts that you did into the branch, why not just cut them straight off? Is this to aid the re-growth? Thanks and sorry for the basic question. Ed:

Hi all, Ive been browsing the many posts on the forum for a while now and joined a week or so ago. I have always wanted to get involved in the arb sector but have never actually taken the move to getting some experience and qualifications behind me, ive got my cs310 and 31 booked for may ive been in touch with a couple of people on here to get some voluntary work. I am now 30 and realise that im getting on a bit to be starting in the industry, but was wondering how others originally got involved and what route they took to getting fully qualified but also gaining the experience. I am currently juggling full time shift work, paying for courses, equipment and trying to get involved. If anyone has any helpful advice on how to get more inolvled so that i can eventually give my job, i would be very greatful. Ed:001_smile:

Thanks for sharing eddie. Very inspirational:thumbup1: