David Dobedoe

I had a 550 playing up last week. Pulled the plug which was chocolate coloured as you described. Popped a used plug in that was in my tool box. And bingo all was well with the world! Might even treat it to a new plug. Two strokes are apparently hard on plugs.

I have a second hand garmin that I picked up for £20. Was hoping to use it to mark up compartment boundaries. I have found its not really accurate enough. Old fashioned map reading and compass bearings seems better. The sat navigation has however proved great for geo caching with my daughter! :-)

No reason why a fig 8 won't work assuming the weight you want to control is appropriate. (And you have a good anchor in an appropriate place. There will be other options. Italian hitch on an appropriate karabiner for example. Might be worth thinking about adding the ability to lock of / hold the lower. This could be done with a prussik loop.

Superfurryanimal, I'm 51, climb on average once or twice a week. Enjoy it. But I also do other tree work. When I need help i finds loads of young lads qualified to climb. I find far fewer qualified for big trees, wind blow etc. There is probably more climbing work out there than forestry felling work which may account for this. I would advise researcing work opportunities where you live before choosing. Hope that helps? D

When I first started I bought a husqvarna 550 xpg saw with 15 inch bar. Two years later I still think its a great first saw. Light, powerful and fast enough to gain a lot of skill using it. But not to powerful and to fast. Simple Oregon sharpening kit, you'll soon need spare files they wear out fast. A work bench or table of some sort for maintaining the saw and a good size vice helps for learning to sharpen the saw. Re PPE, good fit is really important. You could easily end up wearing it more than your normal clothes. Type C trousers are a good idea for your first pair. Good boots, you'll almost certainly need some waterproofs. If not high viz bright colours. There are many situations in tree work where the easier you are to be seen the safer you are. Don't forget a personal first aid kit with large dressing. Get in the habit of carrying it all the time at work. Many don't but when you need it for self or others, you need it instantly! Other things like felling levers, tongs etc will depend on the work you get involved with.

I keep a bright red permanent pen with my files. Mark the link where I start. Poor light and I can't see where I've been!

I have a partner which has three seats in the front. Bought good secondhand without Vat. So far so good. if I had the money I'd go for the version with traction control, slightly raised suspension and guarding for brake hoses etc.

Are you employing or using sub contractors? If sub contractors you might be able to offer a better rate for later payment. Give them the interest instead of the banks. I'd consider it as a sub contractor.

Are you employing or using sub contractors? If sub contractors you might be able to offer a better rate for later payment. Give them the interest instead of the banks. I'd consider it as a sub contractor.

I have a very good pair of over trousers. So good the lads at work ask what they are and where I got them. Wychwood fishing gear and a model no longer available as far as I can tell. Features. Waterproof breathable washable fabric. Simple design that fit over chainsaw pants. Double thickness/layer on backside and knees. Knee length zips Zip fly Green and black. Cost me £25 in a bargain sale bucket reduced from about £50! Only improvements I would make is some high viz panels or similar. David

I have several waterproof jackets and pairs of trouswers. Always looking for something better without spending a fortune. Currently using a Harkie jacket which is promising for really bad weather. No hood but I don't mind that because I have helmet on and use a 'cape' on the helmet anyway. High viz which is a bonus as far as I'm concerned. They do a trouser for about £35 I have a pair but have yet to use them. I do have a pair of wychwood trousers. Very basic design, fit over chainsaw pants well. So good me mates ask where I got them. (John Norris fishing shop bargain bucket a boy four years ago) not sure the ones I have are still made but worth keeping an eye open for.

UKC Articles - Washing Ropes Useful?

Oh no, Me mate dropped a big lump of tree on his 254! Back handle bent and trigger system broken. Is it dead or has anybody got a dead one we can cannibalise for parts? Alternatively he might part with it as a donor, but it would be like an unwanted divorce as he seems to be in love with that machine...

I used to use a SJ410, predecessor to the jimny. Great little 4x4 even if you needed to wear waterproofs in it when it was raining. Hardtop sunshine roof was poorly sealed.

One if the cutters I work with has one as his main go to saw. Even climbs with it instead of a top handle. (he has started borrowing my top handle as he moves into this century.) It seems reliable as my more modern saw, yes he has down times but doesn't everyone? But, my 550 xpg is a better saw in every respect except it seems more noisy.

This question comes up time and again. I have both and both are good. I tend towards using the 550 more because it's lighter and that counts when using it all day. It really does depend on what your using it for most of the time. Personally, i think XPG is the way to go. Winters coming.

Thanks for the replies. Sorry for the slow response. I fell over in a back garden and hurt myself enough to slow everything down. On the mend now. If I haven't responded yet I fully intend to do so. Regards David

I have the occasional need for help with a variety of arb and forest work. Whilst I have a few people I can call on I would like to develo a few more contacts. Some of this might suit people new to the work, perhaps a student at Penrith? Other work needs experienced and qualified people either with Climbing or Forestry backgrounds. If your interested please make yourself known to me. I would like: Name Contact details List of qualifications Details of any work insurance you carry Confirmation that you are self employed or otherwise. My email address is [email protected] Thanks David

Blimey

Blimey!

Looks good, and to think Allan has a proper treat for you tomorrow! Stay safe.

Working on diseased tree clearance, What disinfectants are people using? I have read the forestry commission guidelines and used whatever the commission gave us. Pretty sure it was bleach based. But, the sole fell off me boot! May or may not have been related. Did the disinfectant attack the glue or did the boot fall apart because it had a year and a halfs good use? I will never know for sure. Bleach based products are very harsh on fabrics and some plastics. Dreadful on soft winching kit etc. Don't need to destroy all my clothes boots, etc. How are you all getting on with this issue? I'm thinking that Propeller an Alcohol based and recommend disinfectant may be better for kit? Forestry commission here have stopped using it because its flammable. Given we all work with petrol anyway I don't see how that is an unmanageable issue? Thoughts please David

I have one of those little meters, over a year old, original batteries and works fine for a basic reading. Have had the chance to compare with better quality machines and its not to far out. Cheap and cheerful, has it's uses. David