Andrew McEwan

Agreed re mechanising, but the photos and description don't indicate a mulcher is needed. Perhaps after brushcutting/flailing access through what sounds like soft growth, and a brief survey mulching might be needed, but unless 360 operators can now respace regen and assess woodland condition on the fly, I'd have thought one man for 1/2 day and getting access might be better than unloading the excavator straight away.

Straight in with a track based mulcher TCD? Overkill for 3 acres of woodland that needs some access/assessment through dense elder bramble and nettle. It isn't 3 hectares of 7ft gorse.

Big difference between what a 555 on a mulching head and a strimmer will do Ben, and if too tight for the alpine tractor and flail I use a walk behind two wheel tractor with a flail. But my first step would be to clear some access and see what's in there in terms of hazardous trees and sort them.

Beal abseil rope I've used isn't the most supple in the world, but hard wearing and works fine.

Happy with mine, doesn't get used loads, but has been reliable when needed

Big brushcutter and a mulching head I'd have thought to start with. Then a walk over survey, mark up/fell any horrors before they start having picnics under them, and float idea of thinning and planting up gaps if needed.

Thanks to Kevin Moore, AA SE branch and the RHS for running an excellent workshop yesterday.

Lots of great content including these clever cable terminations that I think most of us hadn't seen before.

Rigguy, Inc >> Solving Your Challenges Through Innovative Solutions

Has anyone working in the US tried the other version of this system?

WEDGE-GRIP? Dead-end

I had a look at the echo's in a local dealer yesterday, they look a bit plasticy, are they robust enough to handle pro work? Not saying they aren't they just look a bit soft.

Echo seem to have specialised in making plastic casings that look as cheap and shiney as possible, no idea why! Mine have stood up ok, and they dull off eventually and look less chi-bay ish. Have found on the little echos the oiler worm gear is weak (plastic) so can be easy to strip if the saw has been left for a while then started if the chain is at all sticky. Also the air filters seem to need more regular cleaning than german offerings, other wise no problems being bounced about a tree. Got the 280tes on an 8inch 043 bar and oregon 90 chain, brilliant performance and ultra light.

No electrickery on a 2172 is there? Nice saw I'd imagine.

No ecarb on the 2171, 99.9% sure the 2172 is old school too. As long as you don't mind a straight front handle, the jonsered feels just like a 371/72

Great watch, thanks for posting stihlmad

I've got a 620sx and a Jred2171 and although the echo is great it isn't a 70cc saw, I think you'll like the 2172, especially if you've got something about 50cc to use also.

I suspect the book is well worth missing too Paul. Other than the daftness of what the floppy haired one is selling, I don't think the BBC should be running what is a just a promo vid for another iffy tree book.

Author Jack Cooke gives ten tips for climbing trees - BBC News

Might result in a new income stream, rescuing barefoot public school boys from the top of trees. Or sweeping up bits of them.

Only had a couple of hours on mine now, but as above it's not quick enough as a main climbing saw, and also not that light for the power. I'm happy with it for it's intended use, cutting out forks (I know tut tut) and carpentry. Has been a lot better on an 8 inch 043 bar, and as Wolter has said it has a lot of torque, seems to work better when pushed, it's only on an 6 tooth sprocket and I think will happily manage 7 or 8 ona short bar. For the money (~£180) and if you have the lxt batteries already it's a handy buy.

Mines been great over nearly two years, not weekly use but for the right jobs has been spot on. Lives on a 13" bar. Noticeably smoother and faster than older 50cc husky saws.

Not forgetting some great bouldering if you get the urge

Interesting, certainly is a slow chainspeed, maybe shorter bar and larger sprocket if available might help.

Thanks Wolter, good review. Sounds like it was a good if not fast runner, was the vibration on your Dolmar noticeably bad? Only considering it as a part time saw (if it's useable) as it takes batteries in common with their drills etc. Expected the husky and stihl to be a fair way ahead.

Makita UK

link to spec and photo

Anybody got one or had a go with one?

Looks quite handy and low-ish cost especially as it'll take lxt18v batteries, but on paper has slow chainspeed and high vibes compared to the big two cordless saws. Also the rear mounted batteries look easy to whack, and likely to channel water straight into connector area?

Be good to know if anyone's taken a punt on one?

thanks

Andrew

The chain is stihl although I'm not sure which one and the bar is a 12" sigihara pro light with multi mount, I believe it also comes in 14" and 16". Just have a word with Rob D at chainsawbars and he will point you in the right direction

Thanks, I'll see what Rob says.

Interested to try a rope grap on a saw strop, sounds like a good idea. Wild country ropeman or something like that? I think kong even do one that works on tape.

I completely agree. After doing the mod on my little echo years ago to take the ms150 i have been looking for a way to run the 360tes on .43. Thanks to Rob D my 360tes is now on 3/8 .43 and the differance between that and standard .50 is surprising to say the least. It completely changes the saw

Which bar and chain is that Coletti? I've seen oregon 90 chain is 3/8 043, and a 10" oregon bar that may fit the echos, but be good to know what your 360tes setup is. cheers

I think one million would be a minimum, had that for a number of years, but two large clients required 2 million as of 2014 so upped it to that since then.

Scum, hope you get it found, can local authority/highways or maybe local shops etc help with cctv/motorway cam footage? Can't have been a subtle move to get that away.

That carry out looked annoying, well earned beer!