Tom10

Agree - you can climb out of college with the right opportunity, as Alex did ^... and me... do what you want if your sensible, have your head screwed on the right way and are willing to learn. But 400 is very little. A decent harness is 250 ish - rope 100 - crabs 60 - silky 30 - - kit bag and rope bag - 50 - a kitted up lanyard - 30 - a kitted up flipline - 70 and several other anomalies will kiss goodbye to around the 600 mark - plus spikes and a top handle on top. Good luck

Agree with comments that a lower pollard may of been better but for them all to be the same height they couldnt of done - some would of just been stems and looked even worse (I appreciate they dont all have to be the same height but then every tom dick and harry would say that the row of trees looked odd ) Firstly - why do them now - they looked manageable to start with Secondly - a crown reduction would of made them look 20 times better. Thirdly - someones going to be up them every few years taking the epicormic off, making them look just as bad every time. Not terrible work on the tree's but a very bad spec.

This always happens with my dragonfly (usually when you twist on your side or something so your hardware is over to one side of the bridge). Live with it - keeps you sharp when you fall a couple of inches

The combo you have now should be ideal - play with your knot, opposed to spending another 15 / 20 quid on another eye 2 eye when the one you have should be perfect. Tie a simple distel with 5 wraps if you feel like the OP is too slippy. Once it beds in it should be fine. Iv also used Silverstreak which is cool - but OP is king for me. Good luck

Steve, Googled knot guide for climbing and found yours, from there clicked forum, from there joined Tom.

Very good point - I didnt mention or take into account the transferabilty of the theoretical courses over the CS units - CS units being obviously very specific. Good point well made.

Good comments Rob - I agree with the fact you wouldnt know as much theoretical knowledge as you do if you hadnt taken the route you did! In terms of who would be the better person - thats an impossible question, but i certainly think theres no direct answer just because one has done more theory and one has done more practical, it depends on the person. I know a few very 'theoretical' clever arbs who have done the college / uni thing, extremely clever but cant climb / cut with any efficiency and I know some 'my grandad tought me all i need to know' arbs who may not have immense knowledge but can keep up with the best of them on site. My original comment really was that people should have a background knowledge of trees before doing CS units and walking into the world expecting a job - as opposed to the original thread starter whos point was veering towards just practical experience required. I will state that I would rather work with a slightly naive arb in terms of knowledge but who has guts and is happy to work and learn. Than a guy who judges his skill on what he talked about in Uni. This is a practical industry and unfortunately theres far more people who forget the vital ingredient is the right attitude, a bit of luck and hard work. Lastly - the above is a general concensus on my opinion and dont claim everyone who goes to Uni is a nonse! your clearly a skilled arb both theoretically and practically and im sure others are too. Theres several paths to learning in this career and it depends on the person on which they choose.

Cherry? Are these recent photos or from a while ago? Our are all in blossom and im leaving the ones I have to prune until late summer / early autumn Good shape though and looks a nice reduction

Bag on... The assesement schedule is a bible - know it inside out - several times reading it through and a few 'tests' from family members and you'll be fine Also remember to take your time - rush and youll make a stupid mistake Good luck

Is it bogging out when smoking (is the chain slowing up / stopping) Sorry to ask a dumbass question but sometimes simple is the way forward - also even though it is smoking is it still cuttiong as quickly and efficeintly as it should? Tom

Exactly - have used a distel before on a main line and always on a lanyard and I like the knot, doesnt seem to grab too much but always grabs enough. I wont cry if I slip a bit but nice to have trust in the gear your on. Good idea for groundie tending slack - never had a system that allows for this before so will try this on a long ascent. If I get enough time I will try and get out sunday for a reccy (if not Ill take a spare prussic for the Euc Will let you all know how I get on with it

Cheers for the replies guys - looking forward to having a go next week Mark - I was thinking a distel on the pretext that in general I hear it locks better and requires less setting. I have read on here that you can get a VT to self tend by tying it 'scarily' but i think I would buy a LJ or SJ if I wanted that option. Im happy to tail it through for now... Old snake - I also bought the shorter eye from yale (copious silverstreak) which was destined for my side lanyard but if the OP plays up I can swap for this and tye fishermans on my lanyard:thumbup1: Will post when I have had a go. Got a Euc dismantle next week so that will be its first test. Tom.

Look at 'Roscoe's' thread which is currently (before i typed this) 2 threads beneath yours.............

Just bought some new climbing gear... Not yet had a chance to give it a test run and wont for a few days... What can I expect from Imori on a hitchclimber set up with 8mm ocean polyester eye2eye? Bit late now if not - already bought it all I have heard its a good combo, but any opinions welcome

..............who needs to - just go for the one that says husqvarna on it

Good move - 13" bars on ground saws are underated

I wonder if he went on his own to save the cost of a groundy, and he's still up there now... if he is he could at least have the decency to access arbtalk via his mobile

Though the weight of a small prussic loop shouldnt make a noticeable difference - more concerned about extra ropey guff hanging about - i prefer to keep it as simple as possible (still not going to do it though, I AM A MAN )

Slightly concerning we still havent heard from this chap - Did it really go that bad mate?

How would you (or do you) attach greedy boards to a ford ranger I want to re-design mine to something better and keen to take inspiration from experience... Ideally one single unit that can be pulled out and replaced as and when - if not something more permanent Pictures welcome. Cheers Tom

As WorcsWuss says - must be illegal for them to make it a condition - its out of their authority. Ive know AA approved firms that as a company are worse in general than the next tree contractor. Its a great thing to be a part of and its good for contractors to aspire to (if they so wish) but it shouldn't cost other contractors work on the basis that the LA said so.

Good advice but probably not for his first dismantle Take it at your own pace - but at the same time have some guts, your there to do the job and the more you do the more confidence you will get Good luck

Look what I have done for you Justin - started a thread where arbs from all walks of life have paid tribute to their favorite retailers birthday! Anyway on a completely seperate matter - that £430 odd quid i spent with you today - your welcome to include various items to ensure the box is completely full (you know, to ensure the stuff inside doesnt rock around too much in transit........)