TIMON

That about sums it up. Bob. Trouble is most of our work is back yard domestic so mechanical handling isn't much use. If we did site clearances then if would be worth the investment. More hands on deck it is then. Time for a crew cab then! Oh crap... We're overweight again! And on it goes 🙂

Vehicles and kit... Both a necessity. 🙂

I've looked into that Mick, I think the mog is cheaper. Certainly more compact.

We're not that kind of charity We don't hire staff, managers etc.. Everyone here (apart from a handful) has come through the programme. We're definitely not burdened with too many "managers". For example... I run a business during the day, do PR work, fundraising and oversee a house with up to 20 guys in it. (I'm not asking for a pat on the back by saying this) I'm just trying to put some context to it.

We have spent a lot on kit and hopefully this year we can reign it in. But ropes wear out and chains etc... Running a mog on white is pricey but it gives us an edge on the competition as we can process more quickly.

I run an Arb firm that is part of a drug and alcohol recovery charity. We all work as volunteers, and so do the guys on the programme. It's provides work skills and life skills for people recovering for addiction. All the guys live in our residential centres The income from the business pays the bills not just for the business running costs but also for the residential side of things. (We also have furniture and landscaping) Once we have paid our business running costs all the profit goes to the residential costs (astronomical !!) Our business running costs include vehicles..., Mog, transit and doblo van x2 chippers. Kit.... Usual cutting climbing rigging stuff (don't want to list it on here for obvious reasons) Insurance Training, (once our guys have been with us a while we put them through their tickets ) We hire an extra climber (an ex-resident) to help us push work through. We also occasionally hire a subby climber for anything tricky or potentially dangerous. We spend a lot on flyers but that's what brings the work in. I recognise were not a typical Arb firm but at the end of the day we have a family to house and feed. Ours is just a very big family. Big houses big bills. The more efficient our business's are, the more places we can provide for people who need help.

Funnily enough,,,, the Stihl training guy was round today and he was talking about the advances in battery technology. He said that the new battery saws give about 30 mins cutting time on 4" inch timber.. Food for thought. Certainly

Hi all. Just been looking over our expenses for the last year. Our percentage compared to our income is quite high and I want to bring it down this year. Have any of you been on this journey and made any significant gains by making cuts or changes in any particular area? I'd love to hear of anyone's experiences, successes, failures, things that have made a difference to your income/expenses percentages Any tips on how you have been able save in this area would be very welcome. Thanks in advance Timon

My local NFU told me that they wouldn't touch a tree surgeons Unimog.

We're with Arborisk. £1000 fully comp any driver over 30 ( They use Aviva ) after we agreed and paid for the policy the insurers started asking for loads of extra info. Our previous insurer charged us £3500 (also through Aviva) they must have twigged on! I wonder how much they will charge us this year.....

Drove a telehandler on construction sites. Commercial window cleaning and landscaping to name a few.

Been climbing two years at 50 years young.

Been on quotes today. (9 altogether) Not many immediate takers, couple of big ones I'm waiting on. Bit quieter than I'd hoped. Off to by a valentine card, flowers and prezzy for the Mrs. Feet up with a nice meal and a DVD tonight. Knackered so I'll probably fall asleep half way through.

Have you ever considered the reciprocating bread knife ?? A revelation! It would be the perfect transition for you.

Greetings VI, And forestry work has to be the perfect industry to practice that philosophy 😀

I was taught the three knot system (not all that long ago) when I did my cs38. I think I used it once on a job when the rest of my kit got forgotten.., I do feel spoiled with all the kit available now.

Lovely condition. I've got one of these but nowhere near as good nick. Cracking saws.

Hehe thethickplottens

Nomoremendiplogsgutted

Good thread Riggerbear (Rob) has been a good help for us. We're a newish outfit and every now and then we need a bit of help with tricky or potentially dangerous trees. Rob has always been excellent value for money and always willing to share his knowledge with us so we can learn and increase our skill level without getting out of our depth. Also he's willing to muck in and drag/rake and clean up as well. Many others on here have shared their knowledge and friendship too. Aspen Bob has put me onto some good tunes and drumming as well 😎

Just thought I'd ask the question... Those of you who do your own quotations for potential work... What percentage do you hope to secure? Me and my colleague reckon we secure about 70%-80% of everything we quote. If we get all of them straight away we know we are quoting too cheap. If our percentage goes down then we are probably too expensive. I just wondered what others are experiencing out of interest. Also it might help to gauge the market at the moment. Any thoughts or comments would be much appreciated Thanks

Uruguay

Very wet and windy in Birmingham. Wasn't too bad as we were pruning fruit trees. Didn't really have the option of rolling over and going back to sleep. Quite envious of you lot that did. Quotes tomorrow so it can do what it likes.

I found the same thing happened. That coupled with it being wet and new as well made it a pain to ascend on.