TommyW

You wouldn't want to chog a big lump onto that

Thanks for the input guys We rarely use the winch of the GRCS now, to start with we used it exclusively and probably never put the bollard in for the first couple of years. Now everyone is good enough at judging the work that we only use the winch when it's actually required or as a get out of jail free card when a piece has got stuck. I like how we can leave the GRCS frame attached to the tree overnight on reasonably secure sites, whereas I wouldn't leave the whole thing ie the SmartWinch overnight. I like how if we are free falling some sections we can take the winch / bollard out and drop the fairleads down to minimize the profile exposed to strike from a stray bit of wood. The LD2 looks like it offers similar versatility to the points I like about the GRCS. I understand it might be a bit lighter? I like the idea of double straps on the LD2, as on bulgy or flared stems of trees being retained the GRCS strap can be a pig to get straight with good contact. We've also been running it with maybe 3 tiny little wraps left on the spool on the biggest stems (unbelievably the strap is not fixed at it's base, only held on friction essentially), so with ratchets on the LD2 we could just just extend it with an extra ratchet. The baseplate of the GRCS has become slightly deformed over the years, probably from over tensioning it against the stem. I was hoping this could be less likely with the LD2 sandwich type construction...

I'm taking my 10yr old GRCS out of service. Will need to replace it, considering the 2 alternatives mentioned above. I'd appreciate any input from anyone with experience of the pros/cons of them. Cost isn't the issue - more ease of use & robustness. Thanks in advance.

Reliable groundsman needed for a few months of temporary work - possibly leading to longer term full time position. Initially as a subby. Chipper ticket, saw ticket & 1st aid required. Anything else a bonus (climbing / aerial rescue, towing ticket, SLaG etc). Day rate depends on experience & ability. Contact Tom 07989394885. Thanks

Opportunity for full time self employed climber to join a busy professional company in SW Cornwall (can be employed if necessary for the right candidate). Lots of good equipment & steady team to work with on mainly high end residential & nice commercial contracts. Good rates paid for reliable, professional, experienced, safe & efficient operator. Preferably 2 years commercial experience - but aptitude & attitude are most important. Encouragement to take your skills to the next level & beyond, & to be paid more as your skills improve. Email me a CV / enquiry [email protected]

Can any trainers / assessors give a definitive answer on whether un-certificated staff are allowed to undertake aerial work under direct supervision of certified & experienced staff? I have not heard of this before, but I saw it mentioned on a training company's website - and it stated it was a "legal" and acceptable way for new staff to get experience & time off the ground. Any clarification / caution of grey areas much appreciated - thanks

Still looking - please see the original advert. Got loads of good & challenging work coming up!

Still looking - get in touch if you've any questions. Tom

Still looking - get in touch if you've any questions. Tom

Hi looking for a highly skilled, efficient & responsible climber to run the team a couple of days a week when I'm doing admin, and to work with me & the crew the rest of the time. Must have all basic tickets inc EFaW & chipper. Must have either rigging ticket or plenty of rigging experience on the ground & in the tree - and be willing to get a ticket in due course. Must have towing ticket or be willing to get one immediately. We are a small Arb Approved Contractor undertaking mostly high end domestic work in W Cornwall. Mostly take downs, crown lifts, & a few reductions. We are arguably the most competent & respected tree work contractor in W Cornwall. We have great kit - and I have no problem with getting new stuff or replacing old when necessary. We work safely & efficiently - and I expect this from you - no recklessness / carelessness / laziness are tolerated - just so you know now. I have more than 20yrs experience and am happy to pass on my skills & knowledge - so a great opportunity to bring your skills up to the next level! Position is FT S/E. Daily rate dependent on your skill level & efficiency - but essentially no upper end! Please contact me by email if you're interested - with a CV please. [email protected] Thanks for reading

bumps

To be a member of a progressive, productive & hardworking team. Approved contractor, small business. Must have chainsaw, climbing, chipper, 1st Aid tickets & driving licence - anything else an advantage. Experience preferred - but good attitude, safety conscious, team player & hard worker valued more. Good opportunity to learn & progress with modern tools & kit. Pay will be good & negotiable depending on qualifications, experience & efficiency. Mostly large private / domestic work. Email [email protected] with a brief CV. Cheers

The Lynher course has been deferred for a month or 2. so if anyone else is keen to get trained in an overlooked aspect of tree care - get in touch with them! Cheers

Thanks Jay / Paul / Lynher. Arrangements made with Lynher for a course - dates TBC. Cheers

Hi, been doing quite a bit of bracing, and would like to have a ticket for it to satisfy any insurance queries in the event of a claim. I've seen theres a training schedule & syllabus from both LANTRA & NPTC but as far as I know no-one is offering the training. Please let me know if you know of anyone / anywhere where i can do this. Many thanks Tom

Dear All Cornwall Branch of the Arboricultural Association are holding a one day training event in Truro on the 25th October 2016. The day will feature the following speakers & subjects: David Evans (ex QTRA trainer) presenting his new approach to tree risk assessment. Oliver Bennett(Cornwall Council Tree Officer) talking about current pest and disease issues in the South West. Paul Smith (Arb Association Technical Officer) talking about some of the finer points of the BS3998 Tree Work Recommendations. There will be tea & coffee & a pasty for lunch - as well as a good opportunity to catch up with or meet new people from our industry. The event can be booked via the AA Website on the following page: Arboricultural Association - Course Detail Cost is £24 for AA members / £30 non-members.

I have a small business located in W Cornwall, we are an Arb Approved Contractor, and carry out mostly higher end domestic work, with a little commercial work. Due to a member of staff going travelling I will shortly have a vacancy for, and I'm looking for a highly skilled & experienced climber. We have a tight team of efficient & experienced workers so you'll be working with a professional crew. We work to a high standard in terms of safety and quality of finished work. Rigging ticket is a must, as well as good experience of modern rigging techniques and equipment. We tend to take turns climbing - depending on the job that needs doing - so you may not be climbing every day. A clean driving licence is a must - preferably with permission to drive vehicles up to 7.5T and also towing ticket. Work will be provided on a self employed basis - with you providing your own personal saws & PPE. Decent day rate to be negotiated depending on experience / ability / efficiency. The work will be more or less full time - with some flexibility if you do some of your own work. Please contact me via email if you are interested - with a brief rundown of your training, experience & employment history. I should be able to give candidates a day or 2 paid try-out to see if it'll work out. [email protected] https://expertreesltd.co.uk/

I am in the market and am demoing one of these later this week - has anyone got anything useful to add to this - ie niggles with use, or had a good go with this and a good go with the TW230 - which i hope to demo in the coming weeks. Thanks

Was just browsing through this - I had a look at the tacho exemption guidelines referred to earlier - 17 seems pretty apt for transport of arisings: 17. Vehicle is used by agricultural, horticultural or forestry undertakings as part of their own entrepreneurial activity to carry goods within a 100 km radius of their base Plus in this case there is no limit to the GTW (ie combination of vehicles not over 7500kg combined). In this case you could have a 7.5t vehicle loaded with chip pulling a 3.5t trailer fuller of chip. You would still require an O licence. As far as O licence goes - I think you should be able to operate on a: Restricted licence This licence allows you to carry your own goods, but not other people’s goods. I would base this on the fact that once my customers branches have been processed through my chipper, into my vehicle and removed from their property they have become my property. I do not charge for tipping them so am not transporting for sale / reward. Wood goes back to the yard for processing and is delivered in legal loads on a transit. This is my interpretation and could be wrong but I am looking into getting the O licence and want to keep it simple

Due to a high workload I am looking for a 3rd man to join my small company for the next few months. Being based in Cornwall already would be preferable. 2 or more yrs experience please - no ifs or buts. Full compliment of tickets, good references. Will be on a self employed basis. Should be 4-6 days a week. Email a CV to [email protected] and let me know when you will be able to start.

Then be really clean with your chainoil can in future

I had a bunch of ranchers - all of them had oiler issues - there is no filter on the out pipe from the tank so the pipe get gunked up with small debris, flush the tank with petrol as this is more viscous than chain oil, then get a good blow into the tank, you will see / feel the gunk pop out then the dregs of the fuel will drain quickly through your unblocked tank - you have to remove the sprocket etc and the oil pump from the end of the oil line to do all this.

Cheers guys Got it pretty good - gave it a good dunking in some hot ish water with plenty of veg oil. Then a wash with hot water & wash up liquid, then a good blast with the hose on jet. Came out nicely apart from a small section which had been saturated when left in the tree overnight, better than it was but still hard in the core...

Any reason why butter rather than something veg based like sunflower oil or veg based lard / fat? Saw another thread suggesting mayonaisse which would imply its the fat doing the job. Sunflower oil would be less smelly than butter / mayo. Anyone have a LOLER issue with butter etc on rope? Cheers

Anyone got any good ways of getting sap / resin out of ropes? Seems with modern fancy hitches & pulleys etc it affects them much worse than I remember before - could barely move my HC with just a little residue on the hitch cord & rope....