KingoftheRing

Littletree: Very interesting to hear your feedback. My understanding was that the IRATA is a means to access a site and then you actually do the work using the skills that you have. Do you have other skills or just chainsaw tickets? I'm curious as to what kind of tree work would be available with just the IRATA level 1? I can certainly see how the PTS would be a another great ticket to have.

You didn't mention your work situation. It is possible that a young lad, working with a mate etc and just doing a small job for a neighbour can do it for a bit of cash. I think that is fair enough. This wasn't explained, so I can see how established professional businesses are commenting about your price. I think common sense would say that £70 (cash??) for 1 man (not paying 2nd man??) and a single tree, half a days work after travelling, fuel, setting up, working, time travelling home, and putting kit away etc is pretty reasonable. I'm not insulting you or meaning any disrespect, just curious about your situation. Hell, I've ended up doing jobs that looked small but ended up big for less money. Pricing was a skill I never mastered.

Adam Bourne: Absolutely brilliant thread. Really a lot of credit to you for creating this. For someone like me who was taught the old school methods (3 strand-natural crotch-wrap around trunk) and has been out of the game for a few years, this thread acts as a nice refresher and a great learning tool. The essence of the job will never change; trees being maintained or dismantled safely and efficiently. However, as I have said before, there is so much "kit" available now that it really can be quite confusing. I am unfamiliar as to what is taught now in colleges/arb courses, but I am glad I learned the old school "basics" as I believe this helps create a very solid foundation on which to build upon with the new techniques and kit. So a genuine thank you to Adam Bourne for starting this thread. Excellent stuff.

I've been looking at that course. If you get some work, please post some feedback. Well done.

sussexlad: That Hilux sounds like a steal. I've been searching ebay and autotrader to get an idea of price/condition. I've been abroad for a few years, so out of the circle when it comes to pricing. I'm just figuring out the lay of the land at the moment. jnoon: I'll keep an eye out for any 110's and post a link up if I see any good condition hi-caps.

Totally agree mate, the right vehicle will come along, they always do. I learnt a while ago never to go into debt for a vehicle as they just a piece of metal. Learnt the hard way after my Ninja ZX6R decided to drive itself into a ditch!!! It's just a case of searching around

I'm a metal detecting geek. Spend the summers scouring exotic beaches for gold!

Unfortunately, I only have £3000 to spend. Took me a long time to save that, but doesn't seem to buy a lot of 4x4. The L/R will have to wait for another day! If I see something whilst searching, I can post a link up. What's your budget?

Mate, that is funny you mentioned a L/R 110 pick up. I've spent all day looking at the 110 hi cap Would love one but just don't have the cash at the moment. Such an icon and a dream vehicle but they cost a fortune!!!

As I said, the Misti L200 or Ford Ranger. The only concern with the Ford Ranger is that they seem to be victims of catalytic converter theft due to the height. The 2 door pick ups seem to be pretty rare. How's your search going?

Great information. Thank you

Shocking read! It has always been in my mind, but for some reason, was never discussed much when I worked. Glad I read the thread.

This one? http://arbtalk.co.uk/forum/climbers-talk/36372-circle-death-advisory.html I'll have a read.

Interesting, have never heard of that tip before. Thanks.

will.morris: no worries mate, cheers for the explanation of the soft link. I never used saw one or used one while I was working. I guess the prussik acts in a similar way, though is obviously thicker/slower to cut than a webbing loop. Stumpgrinder: if the strop is attached to the central ring on the harness, doesn't that affect balance? "squeeze circle"....classic!

Are right, you didn't mention that, I was imagining a broadleaf where you were sectioning it. On my strop, there is a 3 strand prussik, so in an emergency, that can be cut. Don't mean to sound dumb, but what's a soft link?

2 strops (Swedish or wire core) seems odd to me. Like you said, I always prefer to be able to get out of the tree asap if anything goes wrong. Plus, I've already got my main line in the tree, so I don't even need to tie anything; unclip eye from crab, slip round trunk, put back in crab. Whenever I use my Swedish, I always have this insane fear that if the tree ever split, I would be pinned/crushed. At least, if using my main line, I could cut the prussik and get out of the danger zone (well, that's the idea anyway)

I always tied in twice when chogging down. Used my Swedich strop and then main line put loose around the trunk. Thought it was standard to do that. It was when I was working.

It's been a while since I worked full time in the trade. As such, I'll be doing small stuff and the usual hedge trimming if I can get the work. I haven't got much money (3 grand max. van+kit) and no guarantee of any work. So that all affects my choices. I had the same ideas as you in your OP concerning trucks and prices. Land Rover is great but too expensive. Hilux, again extremely high prices. I'm looking for a 2 door (no crew cap) pick up. Either a Mistubishi L200 or a Ford Ranger. It has been pointed out by others that the single caps seem to be really scarce. No tipper back, just a plain flatbed. I'll make some small greedy boards that I can lift in and out when needed. Should be good enough for a reasonable amount of brash. If I had the option of another vehicle to use outside of work, then I'd get a Transit tipper or similar. I haven't got that option, so a 4x4 will serve well for brash and conifer trimmings and then be OK for use outside of work.

jnoon: I'm in a similar situation to yourself. I'm looking at the options available. For me, I believe there are two sensible options: 1) Tansit/LDV/Iveco (3.5 ton) tipper. 2) 4x4 pick up (Hilux, L200, etc). It really depends on your quantity of work. The tipper is a basic works vehicle. Combined with a chipper, the tipper form (whatever model) serves hundreds of tree surgeons around the country. I've used one without a chipper, just brashing the arisings down. If you are getting a lot of work/brash then a tipper is perfect (with or without a chipper). You can fit a lot on a tipper; you can't go wrong with one. However, I doubt I'll be doing anything big for a while and the vehicle will be my only mode of transport. In my opinion, a 4x4 pick up gives you more options outside of work. I believe it looks a bit more presentable to go to the shops in, nip to the pub, go away at the weekends etc. You can always tow a chipper with the 4x4 if needed for bigger jobs and just empty it throughout the day. Not ideal, but doable. For these reasons, I'm leaning slightly towards a 4x4 pick up (at the moment).

I don't want to drive a 7.5 tonner. Way to big for me. I'll probably only be trimming hedges and mowing lawns for a while!!! The biggest vehicle I will get will be a 3.5ton + towing 750kg (max) If that is fine on a post '97 license, then I am good to go (once I buy a vehicle). Just wanted to check my legalities. Cheers for the replies.

Have spent the last few days reading threads about kit, looking for trucks, and threads regarding the law on towing. I really don't want top come across as being thick, but would like some advice. I have a '98 full UK license. As it is after the '97 cut-off, I am restricted to Cat B and B1. The question I have is this: Main Vehicle (3.5 Ton) + Trailer (750kg) = 4250kg (approx) Is this allowed? "Category B vehicles may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM (allowing a combined weight up to 4.25 tonnes MAM) or a trailer over 750kgs MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes MAM." Towing trailers or caravans with vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes : Directgov - Motoring I have emailed the DVLA, but don't expect a reply for a while!! Just to add, when I was working in the late 90's and early 2000's I only drove the works LDV and Transit. The chipper was towed behind the 7.5 tonner. Now I've going alone, I will need to tow both. Thank you:001_smile:

I learnt to climb on 3 strand, and even when I moved to XTC, I still did all my lowering on 3 strand : piece of 3 strand, natural crotch or false crotch when needed, wrap around trunk for big stuff, was so simple. Seems prehistoric now as I've been looking at all the latest gear. I also think that the newer gear should cause less wear on the tree, which is always a good thing when you are just doing maintenance work. This forum really is a great source of information. Very much appreciated

No, not what I meant. I just meant that the rope is very versatile and can be used for anything (not the same piece of rope!!) 3 strand does feel good in the hand, I don't know why, but it does.