SteveA

I've used Shiply before and didn't have any problems with them at all. The only problem I did have was with our privatised UK rail network.... my advanced ticket couldn't be collected because the machine wasn't working so I caught my already 30 minute late train without a ticket which meant missing another train connection. So I caught another late arriving train without a ticket and somehow managed to get kicked off the train by the ticket inspector.... fortunately that was at my destination. Overall conclusion: Shiply 1 - Network rail nil cheers, steve

I love how I hate that. It's great. Really crap in a good way. cheers, steve

I'm sure they've had plenty of knowledgeable people looking at the best solutions for many years. I think they should preserve it in the worlds most massive Guinness World Record beating Apple Cider Vinegar jar and pop it on display in the Tate Modern. cheers, steve

We recently bought a used Etesia PBTS (Briggs n Stratton engine) self propelled walk behind, width of cut is about 17" or 18" I do believe. On its first outing on our farm it had to cut exactly what you are describing (and worse).... very long unmanaged wet grass mixed in with clumpy weeds. 'Twas raining whilst I cut it. I set it to the highest cut setting and it chomped through it way, way better than I was expecting it to do. The only thing to watch is that when the collection box is full it needs emptying exactly when the 'full' indicator on the grass box says STOP. If you carry on, even for a bit.... it will clog the blades. Simple enough to clear though, just means bending down and scooping out the grass. We don't have a blower so blowing the water off the grass wasn't an option. Obviously any mower is going to cut & pick-up better in the dry so if you can choose a dry day, or at least a non-raining day then that'd be much less effort. Worth noting the grass box isn't huge so expect lots of emptiying when cutting long grass. Seems very good on fuel economy too. Hope this helps. cheers, Steve p.s.... the mower is a touch under £1k brand new and we got ours in perfect condition/ 2 years old for £300.

BREAKING NEWS: the codwood has gone missing! He needs to catch the thief and get a good soleicitor. cheers, steve

Thanks. Think I'm gonna get one of these: JSP Force 8 Half-Mask with Press-to-Check Filters P3 | Filters | Screwfix.com cheers, steve

That's the same ones I've been using (FFP3's). The other one looks nice and should be posted in the 'Gimp Thread' on Arbtalk. cheers, Steve

That's good to know thanks. I'll ask Doc for a blood test. Sometimes breathing very wheezy so I've been having the occasional puff on my sons asthma device and that seems to be help. When it's bad I could hear a cackle when inhaling/exhaling, not nice. Not sure the last doctor I saw took it that seriously, despite me mentioning handling dusty hay/ compost materials. Feel much better this morning - but I'm more worried about long term implications as it's easy to carry on, ignoring the warnings. cheers, Steve Thanks Kevin. Yes I've read through it all & commented last year. I've been wearing lightweight disposable masks but didn't have one on inside the digger yesterday... thought I'd be okay what with being inside a closed cab! cheers, steve Think I should invest in a better mask. Which one do you use? cheers, steve

I went to the docs a few weeks ago due to a persistent cough, I explained it could be due to farm work & handling dusty hay. He put me on a dose of antibiotics and it helped stop the cough but I've still been occasionally coughing up little bits of flem, feels like it's coming up from my lungs. I've been composting hay and turned it with the mini digger yesterday. Door shut, window shut.... result is that been coughing my ass off to the point where it makes my stomach urge. Think a trip back to the docs is on the cards & maybe an x-Ray? It's quite depressing not feeling able to work on total form. Anyone else coughing at the mo? cheers, steve

I've got an aldi Workzone mobile telephone and overall; it is crap. cheers, steve

That's the only trouble with using the mulching blades.... they work extremely well at mulching but if you hit a large stone, drain cover, or other heavy weight object the momentum of the blade causes a serious shock to the bearings and shaft. I know this because I bent the shaft on a Kawasaki strimmer using the same Oregon mulch head.... that was after hitting a hidden raised metal manhole cover. Twas totally buried in grass and one glancing blow bent the strimmer shaft.... it still rotated but the vibration was something else!! brrrrrrzzzzzz!!!! The other thing to look out for is stones..... the mulch head will send them flying at a far greater velocity, far further than a standard strimming head. So beware of any cars, Windows, etc in the nearby or not so nearby area! I've been greasing the Florabest head before each time I've used it so maybe that helps?.... I'm sure it'll die at some point though considering what we're putting it through! Whatever, it's been an absolute bargain at £90 and has definitely paid for itself. cheers, steve

I guess it would be. The winch kit that RobD supplies fits the chilaskan too. cheers, steve

Omegad. Knot again! cheers, steve

Haha! Nice one. cheers, steve

Does the winch kit do much to help back pain or are you getting that from lifting heavy timbers? Cheers, steve

Awful news & my thoughts are to his family & friends. cheers, steve

He can't. They stopped bending years ago! cheers, steve

That's a standard XP model.... not the XPG model as mentioned earlier in the thread. cheers, steve

You spelt pleasant wrong, you wacked the camera over with your wooden lever. Nice sunny day! cheers, Steve

Lots of sense by what goaty has said here. I was looking at buying either a 346 or 357 as my first saw.... unfortunately I couldn't find any decent ones for sale at the time so bought a new 550xpg instead. If it were me (or if my 550xpg blows up) I'd buy a used 346xpg and send it straight to spud for a jolly good service and port tuning. cheers, steve

I'm going on the 18th, 19th, 20th and 32th. cheers, steve

Good thread this cuz it kicked my butt into getting my stuff listed on Arbsafe: 1) An Austrian scythe fitted with a ditch blade 2) Scythe sharpening stones 3) Lidl Florabest strimmer :thumbup: cheers, steve

Chilaskan mills should come with a free grinch kit. cheers, steve

Oakay. cheers, steve

My psychiatreeist says they do. cheers, steve