arniecardigan

I would probably say around 25ish but couldn't be sure as I've always been of the mindset of lets work like nutters earn the money and go home!!! I've always been so competative being beaten wasn't an option so I worked harder and faster than everyone however I didn't work smarter and as I result I now have worn discs in my back (one has gone completely) doctor and surgeon both agree its just from over work! I now have to work smarter and accept that I'm 40 going on 60 and my climbing days are numbered!!! So to all the young-uns out there tearing around take my advice and work smarter!!!

Due to past experience I wouldn't buy or hire a chipper if it had round blades......to much down time in the past cost me a fortune!!

My company name is........ Copse and Loggers .....it makes people smile and the comments I get constantly about how clever it is makes me believe I may be intelligent!! It even got me a load of free advertising on 2 local radio stations as they liked it so much they called me and put me live on air "please don't swear" one even sent a reporter out to see me, they loved it and then repeated the interview constantly as local stations do!! So I'd go with the witty and slightly different thought provoking name rather than your intials followed by tree services every time!!

The Vipukirves seems ok when you get the knack......I've tried it briefly on some dead beech and some green ash and it held it's own...I still use the maul along with wedges and a grenade...i'll be testing it properly this week as I've had 3 orders come in this week!! Rains good for one thing!

Changing the subject slightly......nice to see I'm not the only person to use a Dolmar up a tree.....saws don't have to be orange to be good!!

I got myself a VIPUKIRVES......interesting but takes a bit of getting used to as you have to let it spin when it hits the log which goes against everything I've been doing for the past 30 years....effective once youve got the knack.....expensive though at £160.....! KIRVES: Heikki Vipukirves

So if I go buy a 7.5tonne lorry or bigger with a crane and log grab (making it a dual purpose vehicle)purely to go collect timber for myself which I then process into firewood do I need an operators licence? also I took my class 2 hgv years ago but havent driven hgv for some 8 years do I need to do a cpc course? It's just an idea at the moment as my truck isn't big enough for some of the loads I need to carry so i end up having to hire which obviously hammers any profit in the timber!! Answers on a postcard please!

I've always soaked mine in clean petrol then swished them about abit before going to the soap and boiling water, the petrol seems to get the deep grime out and the soap and water just cleans the rest and the petrol out!

Hi, I have some Laburnum and should have more coming in next month up to about 18" diameter and possibly got some Yew coming next month to. I'm in Stroud,Gloucestershire if your passing.

£100 a day is alright if your employed with benefits but self employed thats not enough! yes theres always someone that'll work for it but maybe thats where the industry is going wrong when you get to 40 and your backs ****** and your not capable of climbing any more you'll regret working for crap rates but if youve earnt enough to be able invest and then have your own kit and blokes working for you then things wont look so bad but on £100 a day you'll struggle to replace your saws let alone invest in anything else. Most local firms to me will pay £140-£200 a day to a self employed climber depending on his skill levels and kit!

Easyest way to make out of that is to seperate into smaller more managable piles and stick them on Ebay Buyer collects!! you do very little work and you'd be surprised what people will pay if they think there getting a bargain!!

You can't argue that stihl and husky are the best however for the occasional user the new price tag is just to big even after haggling with your local dealer!! I've bought 2nd hand of EBAY and been pissed off with what has arrived! I've used both stihl and husky full time for 25+years however now I only work part time in the Arb world and so this year when I wanted a new saw that would run a bigger bar I bought a 62cc MITOX with 24"bar!!! I made this decision after having my eyes opened with a Dolmar climbing saw that has never put a foot wrong and isnt scared of heights like some of the stihl and husky's i've used, I'm no longer a saw snob who won't consider anything but the 2 big names!!!(I used to be) The MITOX was £250 and so far has been really good, I would say check all the bolts are tightened before first use as the chinese forget to tighten things though! I've cut dead standing beech at 36" base and thuyaat 48"base with it without any problem no it's not as quick as a new husky or stihl but i reckon it compares with and older model easily. I can get parts cheap and quick from my dealer a new walbro carb is only £22 my local dealer charges £45 for a carb service on a similar sized stihl or husky! I am even considering a new 45cc MITOX saw as I have been pleasantly surprised. As for KIAM I dont no but don't be put off just because it isn't Stihl or Husky just don't expect it to be as good! If you can get a MITOX you might be surprised.....oh and before anyone else comments NO i dont work for MITOX!!!