Hobbsurf

All of the pre mentioned trauma clotting / tourniquet field dressings, but realise x 1 is just the start. For a big bleed you'll need to keep applying layers without removing the previous. Tourniquet application is frowned on & goes in and out of official procedure but hey, it's your blood and at least know what you can achieve by applying one. My climbing bag has a Israeli Dressing / proper sharp Leatherman Blade / and a very much over looked steel whistle. Also have back up dressing in leg pocket. Most important, a groundy with a phone that has network coverage and more dressings for layers. No lantern swinging or sandbag pulling up to the campfire - but in my early HMF days I was part of two realtime scenarios with high velocity round traumas and the amount of blood loss in such a short space of time is a memory that will always be with me. Layers, layers, layers. Russ

Thanks for the posts on the local services chaps. RE the Derby one - I'm assuming geography wasn't your best topic at school? Russ

Lots of people out there wanting someone to do it for them - also a lot of people doing it for them - with no idea! And that includes the big "lawn care professionals" (LCP) Market is pretty flooded now IMO, if it's a route you want to go down stay local & keep it small & look after your customer base. The LCP crowd advocates customer growth, not customer care and there will always be unhappy LCP customers you can poach. Trouble starts when you've got a couple of hundred customers all wanting spraying and it rains for two weeks solid, weather can really mess your schedule up if lawn treatment is all you do......... Russ

PM me for lawn seed prices - sounds like it will be required! Russ

Yeah - forgot to mention the bag! Bin it!!!!! Have a bungee lift the rear flap up a tad and rake / blow behind. Russ

CAMON LS42 Lawn Scarifier: Remove Moss & Thatch from your Lawn Russ

Can't really comment other than the Camon I'm afraid. Bit like saws - lots of brands & models available but the line in the sand is when you go to Pro usage. 5 hours a day / 6 days a week for 8 weeks..... Russ

The business model that the bigger franchised companies work to mean that scarifying is the most profitable service they offer - hence the scenario that is this thread. They also start doing the scheduled "feed & weed" treatments in March which mean they will be doing as much scarifying and hollow tine aeration as possible before hand. If you are looking to scarify a lawn which a customer has "treated" by one of these companies - a guide to what they will charge is: A 200 Sq Mtr lawn is worth £20 as a "treatment value" - this is what they charge for a treatment on a lawn this size typically 4 times a year. The square meterage to cost is roughly based on £10 for every 100 Sq mtrs after the £20 example. The scarification cost is a multiple of 3.75 x the treatment value. A 200 mtr Sq lawn will be £75.00 which would take you less than an hour. A good day on a couple of really big lawns will see you do £800 with two guys, one on the machine the other raking. Cost = 3 litres of fuel and labour and a roll of bin bags. They don't even take the waste away. Good scarifying machine will cost around £800 + VAT. It does have to be up to constant use for 5 hours a day. Cammon with a Honda engine is such. Put those margins on a day of easy labour (compared to climbing) and you start thinking maybe? BUT - there is only really 2 months in late Summer to Autumn, beyond that you are at risk of falling into the risk of being shamed on here! :-) Russ

The winter is where the Lawn Treatment companies don't really make a lot of money - that's true. Scarifying on a frosty day is a total no no however, doesn't matter how hard up you are. TBH - the best times are when the ground is warm enough for the grass still to be growing & the grass seed (which a properly sacrificed lawn will require here & there) to germinate. Ideally Sept - Oct. As said before - Franchised Businesses............

Franchised Businesses......... Russ

Rob - I've no idea on the paperwork / visa issues. All I know is that if you can get that side of things sorted and be ready to work "crack on" etc - plenty of work going for the right fella. I'm ex mil - did some detachments in Ford Bragg & North & South Carolina and spent a lot of time in New Mexico - your beer is like cats piss & you don't take kindly to good looking well spoken Brits stealing your women / but we needed to get back at you for the 40's. :-) On that basis - Welcome. And seriously - PM me if you do get over here, would like to think I can help. Russ

An understanding of Brit humour. :-) Your own gear, PPE & climbing rig over here can be a costly exercise - not sure what you have now on a US v UK basic requirement? Russ

Meant bugger all when I specified a Shipping Container and a ground anchor. As said before, the more layers of security the better - for you. The insurers won't discount policy because of a hungry darg on a frayed line nor a twitchy trigger finger with IR lights in the yard but you & I can sleep better knowing that additional layer is there. Russ

They had issues, but I've been on mine for 18 months & all good. Russ

261 on a 15 inch bar. Proper Forestry Pro Saw - BTW I lost tinterweb TWICE whilst trying to post that, and I have a very short fuse, so it must be worth it! Russ

Yeah - one permanent trip hazard & toe stubber but worth it. Russ

Just to say "well done for doing it properly". Russ

Ground Anchor (motorbike style) into a concrete base and hammer ball bearings into the allen key type screws & cover with superglue. Then the most expensive Oxford style chain (£120 - but what's that compared to a chipper). Russ

Fantastic - chocs & blacks. Good luck with them all.......& the mess! Big litter = big poop pile. :-) Russ

My perspective on this - NOV 14 - had a non mechanical issue (towing bar locking onto tow ball) on my GM 130 purchased SEPT 14, Stressful morning as had 2 subbies on site & couldn't chip. Got the impression when ringing OrangeP that personalities had moved around a bit and no-one was sure who was meant to help, however had a engineer from Peterborough up to my N Lincolnshire job within 2 hours for a full replacement - under warranty. Not as full on as the OP has issues with, but I wanted to put forward my very positive dealing with Orange Plant. Service IS important and personally to date, I have no issues at all. Russ

Bit of a tumbleweed post tbh fella....................... Time & place etc. Russ

Good test of manhood - dig deep. Russ

IOCF - sorry, had to write it down in case I could abuse the acronym....... ticking......... Russ

Ah - the sheeplike mentality that grips most dimwits when confronted with yet another annual "celebration". Here's an idea - be yourself and do what you want, when you want - and ignore the crass massives. Russ

QUOTE - I am a Charted Fellow of IOSH (the most recognised professional body) Apologies in advance, I read the first few pages but then the eyes glazed over as always when self appointed H&S "professionals" come on the radar. In a previous life there was NEBOSH. I saw the light and got out of the industry - don't get me wrong, on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being serious need for such proffered services & 1 no need whatsoever) there is a requirement in high risk / multi staffed workforces, however I'm very sceptical of bottom feeders who dwell on the need to have such a service in a small businesses. Why is IOSH suddenly the mutts nuts? Russ