martwizz

Yeah i've contacted somebody about a l200 single cab, its got almost 160k on the clock but the price reflects that, and it seems in pretty good condition. Seems more than enough just to get me going on my quest for success

i have enjoyed using an iphone, so would reccomend it. It does get very wet in the pocket of my chainsaw trousers though, and they will overheat if you use leave them in the sun. However its the only smartphone ive really used to be fair. I just like the option of browsing the net/apps/email etc on the go.... which is something they all offer nowadays. Blackberry have a tough model out i think, might be worth a look?

would a lockbox fit snugly against the cab or does there need to be a space to allow you to open the lid? Those that you suggested are still pretty far away from me. I dont particularly want to spend the time and money to go all the way to wales to look at trucks. I'll just keep an eye on ebay and autotrader i guess. Something will turn up eventually.

I would just say that if you are successful in getting work, remember to do things the safe way before the fast way. More experienced guys will do things faster, but in many cases cut corners (top handled saw on the ground with one hand, or freeclimbing for example). This comes with experience and confidence, but is also how accidents happen. Learn to do it the correct and safe way first, and then work on getting quicker. Don't try to learn the quick way first. And remember that if somebody asks you to do something that you are not comfortable doing, be honest, at least ask for help if you dont want to decline. Being a man is one thing, being foolish is another. Never forget what you learn during your assessments, and try to apply them to any new techniques that you see or learn. And have fun

timber, i looked into L200s a little bit. What would you say about this? eBay - The UK's Online Marketplace Its not supercab but i could get a lockable hardtop until i found something better in the future. The guy is willing to deliver which is handy!

......thankyou?

Thats one of the reasons i'm aiming for a ranger versus a hilux, other than the cost

After some of the things i've heard about L200s, i wouldnt be confident buying one with 120k on the clock. Plus its quite far from me, im looking for anything close to london/the south. Thats a 2 hour drive, which is god knows how long on a train. Baby blue isnt really my colour anyway. Thanks though! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140727099891&fromMakeTrack=true found this in the meantime. Seems like a potentially good truck. Winch looks a bit rusty.

Alternatively this Skoda Felicia Fun Pick-up in Newport, Isle Of Wight Check out the folding back seats!

So i have read extensively about different pickup trucks, and i have thought alot about what i require, and i have decided that i need a truck with a 'cab and a half'. I think that a double cab is a huge waste of precious loadspace, but a single cab is too restrictive, i would like the option of the occasional passenger or space for gear in the cab. So a ford ranger supercab or hilux extracab for me ....in anything that isnt white And i dont want a truckman back on the damn thing! What is the obsession with those things. If necessary i will buy a truck with one and remove it, but its not really something i want to have to try and sell/waste/put somewhere. I have been scouring the internet for a couple of weeks now, autotrader, ebay, google, yahoo.... every time i find something i like, its either 400 miles away, overpriced as hell or theres a catch, like its 2WD or something. These vehicles are so damn hard to find! They obviously arn't as popular as the double cabs. Do you guys have any tips where to look other than autotrader or ebay? I dont want to start running up and down the country looking at vehicles i decide are not for me. On a side note... the Mazda B2500. Is it a trap? Is it literally just a ranger with a mazda stamp? I found this 1998 S Mazda B2500 Extended Cab 4x4 Pickup Red 181k | eBay the mileage is incredible but it looks well kept and is very affordable. as far as my budget, i am looking to spend 2-4k for a pickup that will last me until i find exactly what i want, but i am happy to spend 5-6k.... for a black ford ranger supercab with <80k miles and no truckman top

Woah there is some pretty good stuff in there, thanks guys! I certainly hadn't considered the repercussions of not declaring income, i guess i'll do it by the book. Its easier to keep track of how its working out that way anyway I think my only real question is, what do i sell myself as? I'm a confident climber as far as climbing and pruning goes, but i'm not very experienced with large dismantles, i would be capable but fairly slow. Should i go ahead and advertise myself as a freelance climber? Or just a capable groundsman? I guess people don't tend to hire an extra climber unless there are multiple trees? I know some of the big-shot superdudes get hired especially for the biggest dismantles (is mentioning reg coates taboo? ) I totally agree that i shouldn't overstate my abilities, i'm just not sure what i SHOULD advertise about myself I feel like i'm at a bit of a halfway point! Thanks for all the feedback so far though, its been super great

John! Yeah its me I'm going away for asia few months before i start off, but that'd be sweet! Cant guarantee £80 if im coming over from the isle though I'll let you know when i get started out

Ok ok, so i know there have been a load of threads about this, and i have read as many of them as i could find. But i dont feel like its quite answered everything i would like to know! Im going to start with a bit of an intro to try and give a good wodge of background info, it might allow for more specific advice I have been to college for 2 years, and so i have an ND and cs30,31,38,39 mewp chipper grinder. I have worked for 2 years for a large company with a LA contract. 18 months of that was grounding, for the last 6 months i have been a team leader and lead climber. For a variety of reasons i have decided to resign from my position within this company. Pricing and bonus schemes meant that work was so fast, and many corners were cut on a regular basis. i felt that my job was not nearly as safe as it should be. The system also meant that the largest and most difficult trees would result in being paid barely over minimum wage. I know that this is not a get rich industry, but the risk versus the reward generally seemed a bit wrong to me. I have probably given up a great many benefits that you all wish you had, such as paid holiday, sick leave and a corporate ladder. However the decision has been made and I am looking to move on. LET ME GET to the point So i have decided to move away from expensive london, back to my home on the isle of wight. Having done some research, there are roughly 8-10 dedicated tree firms, up to 15 firms who will do tree work as part of their overall services. As these are small firms, i cant bargain on any of them providing me with a job. The best idea to me seems to start out freelancing as a groundsman/climber (despite my little experience, i feel that i am a confident and competant climber). I figure ontop of a few other gardening jobs i can help out with, i have a good shot at building up a relationship with these businesses providing help with larger jobs, build up trust and start making my way into the local industry. The ultimate aim of this would be to start my own company in the future, something i think i am fairly capable of. But rather than go ahead and just do it, i think a little more experience would be best SO the plan is - i have a climbing kit - get a pickup/climbing saw/fuel can - get insured - start putting my name out there, get work for a fair but reasonably low price (£80 a day? I figure that would cover me for 60 and 20 for running costs) - Once i start getting work, start building up additional gear that i can use to bring to the table, maybe as an incentive for my services (build up to something like GRCS?) - Get to a stage where all i need is a truck/chipper/groundsman to start my own business The questions i put to you: -What kind of insurances do i NEED and what would you reccomend? -What do i have to be careful of when being a freelance climber? -Are there any general tips for going freelance? -What do i do about declaring income... is it a bit of a grey area? (especially if im paid in cash!) - I have all the contact details i could ever want, should i just ring people up and let them know im about? Maybe drop them all a flyer/business card as well? -Am I insane? If you've got this far, you've probably read everything! Good job! Anything you have to suggest would be Ace