green heart

Exactly this ! Hardly an expensive manufacturing consideration, for the road safety benefit. If this regularly happened to a make of car or truck -we'd all know about it and the manufacturers would soon sort it out ! I guess maybe I'm just too used to wearing seat belts and that 'safety' mindset.. 🤔

Try a pair of Oregon Chainsaw chaps, with the rucksack type clip fasteners, on the back of your legs. Great ventilation obviously, CE marked, and can be worn over shorts or trousers . Only cost £60-00 ish, online or from any Machine Mart shop. Winner!

Thanks all of you, for some thoughtful responses I will consider. I confess I was surprised how bad the corrosion was, on the failed nearside stub housing. There was also a very thin mud-crust, nicely concealing the same. A prior hammering and inspection would probably have picked it up... But on the previous stub axle failures, the steel shaft had catastrophically wriggled out of the rubbers and box hosing.. um, as er, some male drivers are possibly familiar with?? 🥴 Sorry, thinking of a friend.. On a serious note tho, the design does seem to lack a safety consideration, to avoid such wholesale failure .

Is it just me, or have others struggled with this? I have a little old Ifor Williams P6e trailer (6'x4' size, 2 wheels only, unbraked, 500kg payload), which seems to snap a rubber-torsion stub axle, every 5 years or so -3 times now ! This is the smallest of my 5 trailers, used monthly, and I therefore never overload it, honestly! It's previously happened on the M6, and once again last Friday, going round a local cross roads with a small chipper tied down, and an oncoming car was good enough to catch my errant trailer wheel..... 🥴 I was sufficiently 'disappointed' that I had Indespension units fitted after the last failure, but they seem just as bad/rubbish (and confirmed by the trailer fitter, IIRC!). This morning Ifor's customer service boss says she's never heard of this, in her 20 years tenure -but Indespension suggested a 5-10 years lifespan today. So, with thousands of such trailers in occasional use on UK roads, by my reckoning, that must add up to quite a lot of catastrophic trailer failures ? It seems both daft -and frankly dangerous- that there is no safety restraint, to prevent the seemingly inevitable release of the internal stub/shaft, causing catastrophic failures? Is it just me?? I'll try and get a photo attached, tomorrow.

Is it just me, or have others struggled with this? I have a little old Ifor Williams P6e trailer (6'x4' size, 2 wheels only, unbraked, 500kg payload), which seems to snap a rubber-torsion stub axle, every 5 years or so -3 times now ! This is the smallest of my 5 trailers, used monthly, and I therefore never overload it, honestly! It's previously happened on the M6, and once again last Friday, going round a local cross roads with a small chipper tied down, and an oncoming car was good enough to catch my errant trailer wheel..... 🥴 I was sufficiently 'disappointed' that I had Indespension units fitted after the last failure, but they seem just as bad/rubbish (and confirmed by the trailer fitter, IIRC!). This morning Ifor's customer service boss says she's never heard of this, in her 20 years tenure -but Indespension suggested a 5-10 years lifespan today. So, with thousands of such trailers in occasional use on UK roads, by my reckoning, that must add up to quite a lot of catastrophic trailer failures ? It seems both daft -and frankly dangerous- that there is no safety restraint, to prevent the seemingly inevitable release of the internal stub/shaft, causing catastrophic failures? Is it just me?? I'll try and get a photo attached, tomorrow.

This surely has to be a prime contender for Arbtalk's most rewarding read (and wildly free-reigning thread, ever)? Um, and on the slightest of (topical) derails: When working on an autumn roadside tree removal job, two decades ago, I knocked up a hand painted 'Cheap logs -today only' sign, and placed it on the verge. It duly produced a steady trickle of Goblins, in cars, happy to PAY BEER MONEY (!) for the timber or logs, that we didn't really want to clear away.. Some even became log customers, for a while! An absolute winner ! Has anyone else successfully tried a similar idea?

Whilst the 18v makita mini pruning saw is lovely and compact for tree pruning -it's also slow and gutless, compared with a Sthil GTA40 or the superior Milwaukee M18 fuel . Tho I gather Makita do have a 40v version, but it's currently only for sale in Japan, for now... I do also have both versions of the 2511 saw -and now very rarely use either of them (for pruning works), since buying the M18 Fuel and Makita.

How about something like this, from the Forest Master stand at the last APF show ? Seemed like they were made from a more durable nylon-type weave, but perhaps check with the agents ? At £2/100 No. bags, up to £5- per net bag, not as cheap a solution as the old carrot bags.. Also, have you experimented to see if there's some easy and simple way to bag/collect just the 'woody' part of the output, leaving most of the twigs for er, 'habitat piles ' ?

Hmm... Our local veg market has loads of recycled black plastic 18''-24'' size crates which would be good for drying and stacking up (fairly convenient but lightweight, tho ). They get chucked in the bin wagon, unless I need some.. In the wholesale plant nursery, they used a much more robust version to shift potted stock in -must be able to order a stack cheaply, off the Internet, surely? What about fixing some 1'' square 3' high netting around the edges of a pallet?? We've also had very 'mixed' experiences with the lifespan of net sacks -I think speaking with other bag suppliers, and users on here, will yield some insights ? Do you plan to burn the wood chunks in your burning stove -I'm very interested to hear how it goes ? I try not to think how much branch wood gets wasted/thrown in our chippers, just for 'convenience' each year..

I wouldn't use checkatrade for anything, even if you paid me to, based on what I've heard about them over the last year or so -and as for paying them to advertise my work... er, no thanks!

I wish that was my NFU experience! After a decade or so of no claims (ever!), they suddenly bumped up our business insurance by 70%, so I moved to another insurer.. A couple of years later, almost the same with my household insurance, so I moved that too.. Then three years ago, declined to insure the remaining tractors, and Mog -all with no claims, again ! Couldn't get any sense out of their head office or anything... 🤬

I think it's been a 'thing' in the UK for 2 decades now, honestly ? I distinctly remember my groundsman promptly rugby-tackling a middle aged canal runner, in Sale, a split second before a felled Sycamore tree hit the towpath. Maybe he thought the warning signs and tape was his finishing line ?!? -it nearly was his finish, tho! Several similar experiences, with car drivers ignoring road operators/signs, as plenty others on here will doubtless testify! In fairness, I'd also have to confess to a couple of er, 'blank/blonde moments ' on my own sites, whilst walking round, talking on the phone... 🥴

Hi, We do a seasonal mixture of habitat management works: hedgelaying, woodland management, felling and tree safety, access work, fencing, planting up, big wildflower schemes, wetlands, grazing projects, invasive weed control, weed wiping, etc. The variety of work keeps it interesting -even after all this time!

Nah, just get yourself a Maasden rope puller -way lighter to carry !

With due deference to Peasgood and others, here : It all looks very interesting, but I don't understand why not use a light throw line and weight (small, portable, safe and very cheap), thrown over an appropriate branch in the tree to be felled, to pull through a heavier pull-rope/cable ? Cost say, £30- ? Obviously, a bit less convenient if it's needed several times a day, but I've found this works pretty well, for the last few decades. -This also avoids the very slight possibility of a set of timber tongs falling 20' onto an unfortunate operator -which might just save hundreds or thousands of pounds... 🧐 I'll get my coat... Sorry 5thelement, you beat me to it!

Alex Arb, see the recent November '24 thread: ''small battery pruning saw'' started by Alycidon ?

I think the GTA26 maybe falls into the 'gardening' category, not really for serious professional use? Did you mean the GTA40 possibly? The GTA40 is rather bigger and better, maybe coming out this month, using twin batteries from the GTA26. However Milwaukee have a much better, personally tested M500 offering. And Makita's 18v offering (way better than GTA26 in my own experience), is soon to be available in an improved 40v unit. So.. I wouldn't bother with the GTA26, even if you gave me one ? NB Heaven help any 'enthusiastic' or complacent users, without strongly cut-resistant gloves AND arm protection sleeves... I think HSE will have banned these units, within the next 18 months or so -but really great to use, if carefully ! There's a similar more detailed thread, last month, called 'Small battery pruning saws'.

I didn't ever really think I'd get to make it beyond 50, quite honestly ? So, to still be happily working/functioning and 'complete' at 60, seems like almost too good to be true... I'm almost scared of typing this, in case I somehow jinx myself !? I just remind myself how lucky I am.. I was once hugely inspired, watching a 70 year old ex-para, giving the audience and younger competitors a lesson, in the APF pole climbing competition, a few years back. It was astounding. While I'll never do that -I do intend to try and climb for another ten years, if I can have the chance to.. By the way, I think some of you guys on here are pretty amazing teachers, too... I'm not mentioning names -you know who you are.💫

Er, given the rather worrying content of the last few pages of this thread , I have a question ( I'm just asking for a friend, obviously): What are membership requirements for the 60's section ? Declaration: they've never had anything knowingly inserted into any orifices, thankfully.. all original bodywork, intact -and still regularly climbing. Not raced or rallied.. ECU needs updating, ideally. Also: I'm still trying to expunge the thought of taking 73''.. 😵‍💫

I really need to get some of the Sthil mesh pro-com sets, for our safety/efficiency, and so that we can talk with other contractors using the same. But I -really- don't want to have to open a 'Google account' (with still more of our 'shared' data -thanks all the same!), just so that I can install the Pro-com App. Stihl tells me there's no alternative, so I'm reluctantly struggling on, with hand signals... 😬 Do any Pro-com users have a hack or suggestion here ? -beyond get over myself!

No worthwhile experience of more modern B+S chipper engines, but I do still sometimes grab to our little 1999 vintage 18hp Kohler engined Cramer 4'' chipper, for those awkward/narrow back garden type of jobs. Reckon it must have 4000 hours now.. plugs, filters, silencer, one ignition unit and nothing else, in all that time . Still runs like a good un !

So, in my sad pipe dreams... I'd love have an alternative 'wet-day' or retirement type business, using our fab workshop to make amazing contemporary furniture, from some of our timber which has been planked, years ago. ''Adding value'' I can hear, ringing in my ears.. I even know the perfect shop I could sell it through, a couple of miles away . And obviously, I'd sell it for thousands... 😶‍🌫️ My reality is: The timber stack is now so seasoned, it's shot through with wood-worm. There are loads better furniture makers than I'll ever be. Two of my mates tried to do just this, for years...before they gave up. And who needs to spend hundreds on a fancy chair, when there's a spanking recession and World War 3 hasn't quite kicked off yet ? 🤔 But: for three decades now, we've quietly found plenty of interesting Conservation work and Invasive species control work. These seem to dovetail well with our treework.. and they are certainly less...liability-rich...a bit more weather resistant...with interesting variety...and okay, possibly more profitable too. 🥴 -But I still love our treework/climbing more ! -And I wouldn't still be enjoying climbing for 38 years, but for the yoga, box-fit, tennis, dance and gym that all keep my body going well..

Hi, I'm in a similar situation as Waterbuoy too. I have been vacillating for a couple of years now... I only need 2 or 3 sets. From a well-known APF show stand, I gather the new Husqvarna comms are technically the best, for larger groups. The contractor/show demonstator of the above system agreed that the Sthil offering was actually the better value for money, for users of smaller numbers of sets. Also, my inclination to go Sthil comms, is further boosted by the fact that several of our 'partner' tree businesses also use Sthil comm systems. I've got no experience of the (usually cheaper) Cardo/Senna motorcycle offerings to share, sadly. Tho I'm a bit hesitant of the perceived 'diy' installation time costs ? Also, one of our above mentioned 'partners' (with 10+ sets) migrated from Senna to Sthil , in the last 2/3 years, to get a better reliability/connection . Speaks volumes, if you'll pardon the pun. Think I better get my wallet out, then..

I had a dabble with some of the new small cordless 'pruning' saws this year. They don't seem to have attracted much attention on here, so far... I got a Milwaukee M18 fuel and 2x 5Ah Red batteries, almost a year ago. It's great as a value for money small climbing/chipper saw. I really rate it Although it weighs about the same as our Echo 2511 saws, which are way faster, it's so much nicer to use on sub 6'' cuts. Think it was £480- with charger and 2x batteries Mark say 8.5/10 ? The equivalent new and improved Sthil (2-battery) GTA(?) one-hander which will come out in Jan'25, I understand, was noticeably much less torqy, when I tested it at the APF show the other month. Not sure of weight/cost etc Say 7/10 The equivalent Makita Duc 150, which we've also had for almost a year, is a kilo lighter, much smaller and so much more comfortable to use than either of the above. A good value 'garden/occasional ' saw at £350- with 2x 5Ah batteries However it's 18v battery gives way less torque than the above. Say 6/10 I think I heard that Husqvarna are also bringing out an uprated version of their 18v Aspire saw, but might be my imagination. Pleny of other brands are available...but non of them really looked worth buying to try out except the much-loved (pricey) Echo DCS 2500 and possibly the 18v Dewalt DCMPS . A couple of Important points to mention with these tiny saws : I think Cut resistant gloves with the highest 'cut' rating are essential. Ditto the ballistic fore-arm/cuff protectors. 2×5Ah batteries and a fast charger seem to manage well enough for all but continual cutting. Edit: don't forget to keep your cordless batteries inside/away from heavy frost !

My favourite splitting axe was a 10lb Earthworks head, on a 36" shaft, purchased way back in the 80's. Whilst it was a bit on the heavy side, for a then 16 year old(!), there wasn't a lot of logs it wouldn't split. Unfortunately it got stolen, with my landrover, and I've been unable to get a direct replacement, as the Shropshire foundry has long closed. Anyone seen an old one for sale ? Looking on an American 'Outdoor power forum -best splitting maul no axe' , I see there's even a 17 lb Sotz monster maul -tho most seemed to prefer the X27, or lighter axes. Suppose that'll make me another X27 customer, then !