Big Ben

They did a good job of fixing me up, hats off to the French health care system. Have been reliably informed that had I been in the UK, then it would be very likely I wouldn't have made it. Still life in me yet, can pull myself up onto the tractor and digger, so there's always plenty to do.

Looks like I haven't posted on here since 2014! Keep getting emails from topics that I had followed and thought I would just pop in and say Hi. Quite a bit has happened in the last seven years. Had my Aorta replaced during emergency surgery, eight months in Hospital and left in a wheelchair. Still in it now! But on the plus side they kept me alive for a bit longer, so I can still annoy the Mrs. For some strange and bizarre reason we sold our old Charentaise long house, with a stair lift and downstairs bathroom (ideal for the disabled) and moved out into the countryside a bit more with about five acres and some woodland. Closed the business down after coming out of Hospital and sold off most of the gear we had. Truck, trailer, john deere tractor, chipper and some other tools all gone. Now concentrating on becoming more self sufficient, using our land to the best. Kept my chainsaws and still use them from time to time. It is a bit tricky when your sat down.

This should be them.

I'll put them on again when I can get back on the computer, having a big old storm at the moment and power is on and off.

Not been on for a while, usual excuse of too busy. Getting home eight or nine at night. Just thought I'd pop these photos on, taken in May just up the road from me. Looks like there were three rows at one point but the third row has been cut down. You see trees like this all over France, this lot go past the cemetry and lead up to the old Abbey.

Just to throw another make in, I bought one of these BC 430 T (Euro 2) - Oleo-Mac - catalogue de produits Fantastic bit of kit and I get great service from my local dealer. Never really heard of Oleo mac before but out here they are quite popular. Think it cost about €560 so about €300 cheaper than the stihl or Husky equivalent.

The guy I use for climbing is on €300 a day. He brings his own gear and his own lunch.

Love the way that a lot of ex pats want something for nothing. I always get the "we are on a tight budget". Prefer working for the French.

I now drive to work in a bit of comfort and can for once get the chipper to the job. Maybe not the best arb truck but it'll do for me. Always heard of horror stories with the P38's but now I have one they are pretty simple to sort out. Its now off the road as I have pulled off the front hub and now waiting for a new bearing.

I'm expecting some flack from what I am about to write. I have just bought a P38 Range Rover and I'm going to use it for work! Got it cheap with two years CT(french mot which lasts for two years) all known P38 faults have been factory fixed and I think its the only one I have been in where everything works. All my tools fit in the back and it doesn't get stuck on grass like the transit did. Its a little bit juicy even though its diesel but think I got spoilt with the transit which seemed to run on fresh air.

will look at a clean first then. thanks.

Good thread, can see me coming here often. I picked up a husqvarna M53s pro for £80. Gave it a little clean up, sharpened the blade and it does a good job. Front wheel drive felt weird for a start. Its got the Honda GCV engine and also suffers from hunting. If I push the throttle lever all the way forward to the choke position it runs fine but pull it back to where it should be fast and it is all up and down. Is it likely to be the carb?

Nothing don't have a telly.

That might be a vertical shaft motor if its off a mower. I'm guessing but he might need a horizontal shaft.

Supposed to take 4inches, I have tried it and to be fair it did chip it. But I wouldn't want to feed 4inch stuff in it all day. Its perfect for me, and to be honest most of my customers want to keep any burning sized wood for their log burners. There are a couple of engine options for my chipper going by the website, mine being the smallest.