bazoo132

Hi folks being new to this type of work I am looking to get a proper saw with a bit of grunt to it. I currently own a Husqvarna 455 rancher with a 15 inch bar but am looking at getting a bigger / faster saw for felling and x-cutting bigger logs. I was thinking a 372xp with a 18 inch bar but would welcome any other advice.

Perhaps I worded it wrongly. It's sad in this day and age and economic decline that there are still people willing to pray on people's innocence / naivety.

Guys thanks for all the advice & info I thought it was way over and couldn't get near their price. Gut instinct was right tho. It was a good insight into how corrupt / rip off this business can be and will set me well in the future.

Guys thanks for all the advice.

I knew that the herbicide wouldn't make any odds but didn't have the heart to tell him that it will make no difference.

I thought it was rather steep but was giving them the benefit of the doubt. He seemed to be ok with the price as the guysv were working in another garden a few doors up and they had got quotes from others. He has another 2 hedges that I think he wants removed so I'll have a chat with him and give him a good honest price and remove all the arisings off site and not fly tip them.

Hi folks I'm new to the forum so please excuse my lack of experience / knowledge. I was removing a Leylandii hedge for my in laws and got talking to their neighbours who had just had 6 Leylandii trees / hedge removed. The trees in question were around the 14-16 foot mark. He had 2 guys for 1 day removing them and was charged £2750.00 the work included cut down and leave the stumps which were groved with the bar of the saw and apparently herbicide was applied. The in laws hedge was around the 7ft mark and I had them all down in about 4 hrs (7 trees). I was wondering if this was the going rate for this type of work the guys were removing all the arisings off site in a transit (apart from all the larger limbs and trunks that were dumped in the tree plantation at the back of the properties). I used to be a contracts estimator (local authority) for grounds maintenance & soft and hard landscaping contracts and have tried pricing this up but can't seem to get anywhere near that price as it seems on the high side. As I said at the start I'm new to this type of work and I don't want to sell myself short on the other hand I don't want to be ripping a potential customer off and risk losing the work. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys. Any advice tips or recommendations for the course?

Hi guys I'm about to do my cs30/31 at the end of the month. I own a Husqvarna 455 rancher with a 15 inch bar. I have received the requirements for the course and the saw fits in with the requirements but I was just wondering if this saw is good enough for the course as I know it's not a pro saw. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Baz

I developed an intolerance to alcohol and after 1 bottle of beer was getting the bile for 24 hrs and the shakes for days after it. I gave up drink hogmany 13 years ago and haven't had a drink since. It was hard to start off with going out with friends etc but I have to say now I never miss it. No week long hangovers, waking up fresh every morning and when your out and the weather turns crap no waiting for taxis. I also gave up caffeine 8 years ago and feel better for that too. First few months are the hardest but stick in its worth it.

The local council up here uses mesh with a truck tarp. Apparently it keeps the weight down.

Thanks for posting this I'm just at the beginning of my aboriculture journey and that set of images will stay with me through the rest of my career to remind me how dangerous this business is. Hope you recover quickly mate.

Just a quick tip Re. soil quantities once dug up. Soil will bulk up by around 30% when it is dug up so take that into account when you are pricing for disposing of material. As mentioned before the Lawn Expert by Dr D.G Hessayon is a great little book I have the whole collection that I bought when I was undertaking my apprenticeship. The thing with grass cutting is just take your time and leave a nice tidy job (blow paths etc) just the way you do when your undertaking tree works. It will leave a good impression with the client. Good Luck Baz

Hi Folks, Can anyone provide good training providers in the area. I would rather get advice from experienced people than just turn up to a course that looks good on a website but turns out to be rubbish. Kind Regards Baz

Guys, Thanks for all the advice. Looks like I'll take the plunge and start getting my tickets and building up some work experience at weekends. I live the Dundee area does anybody know anywhere good for doing my tickets (CS30 & CS31) I'll get these first and start working as a labourer / groundsman to get experience and then do my climbing tickets. Cheers Baz

Hey Folks, I am thinking about a major career change and was wondering what peoples thoughts were on getting into the Arb. industry. I am 2 years short of the big 40. I served my time as a amenity horticulturist but am now stuck in front of a pc drawing all day. Just thought I would get peoples opinions and advice on the best way to move forward. Thanks in advance Baz

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