Starscream

I went round there today.. Neighbour was nice as pie, knew nothing about it, had no qualms with me in their garden and happy for me to take the arisings. I specifically said I have no interest in their dispute and that I'm just following a protocol and staying professional. She was sweet as a nut. Basically kept telling me that my client is nothing short of a 'she-devil' and can't talk to her without shaking!!! Unbeleivable! I'm gonna keep my mouth shut and crack on.. Also got to see the beech tree again and it's much smaller than I thought/remembered; gonna be a sweet day with any luck! Thanks for the advice though lads

My boss uses 14's but I only use 12's. I feel you get a small amount of extra grunt with a 12 and I just feel cumbersome with a 14. But my boss swears by them. Horses for courses and all that

is it a honda engine disconnect the kill switch wiring for a kick off take the bottom off the filter bowl and make sure petrol runs thru up inside the carb where the screw that holds the filter bowl on goes into take out the main jet and emulsion tube make sure they are spotless try that lot for a kick off and see what happens is it cutting out under load or no load?

Yes it's a Honda engine. I'll try those things you mentioned. Thanks

Hi, the camon stump grinder at work cuts out after about 30 -60 secs of full revs.. I cleaned the carb, which was a bit dirty, but the problem still persists. The spark plug is fine and petrol tank cleaned. Tubes seem to be clear. I've ordered a new throttle return spring and governor spring to try that as the throttle return looks a bit bent. Also should mention the lads had been using 2 stroke mix in it instead of neat petrol. God knows how long for, probably ages, but could this have any long term effects? Also, when I went to check the oil, it just poured out.. Is there too much oil in it? Surely it shouldn't just pour out when you unscrew the dipstick. Any help much appreciated, Matt

I choose my zigzag over my lockjack all the time.. I use it with a teufelbeuger pulley saver and find it brilliant. Although it has seen some punishment and my last couple of climbs (albeit nearer the end of the day when I'm tired and on the defensive) I've sat back and checked it out for cracks!!

Whatever the neighbour's decision is with regard to the arisings etc, make sure you get confirmation in writing. Last thing you want is to be 'collateral damage'.

Good idea, I'll draw something up. Cheers

I questioned the email yesterday, this is the response!

Good morning,

We are not on speaking terms with the neighbours and over the last few weeks things have gone from bad to worst and they have threatened legal action if we try to speak to them regarding a fence they have replaced and in the process encroached onto our property. You can speak to them if you wish but i would not advise it. They are angry unreasonable and have a lot of time and energy for foolishness.

If their cuttings are not returned to them i strongly suspect that they will seize the opportunity to sue us. We are in the process to talking to our solicitor confirming our legal position regarding trees/shrubs/fences

I'm going to talk to the neighbours. I have no interest in their dispute but before people start saying "move on", "life's too short" "walk away", it's a challenge that I will rise to, and I'll be damned if I walk away from a wage. We've all had the easy jobs where the trees in the front garden, drop zones a gift and you quoted 2 days and smash it in one.. Well nows my turn for a pig!! If there's any more sound advice out there I'd gladly listen. I think I need to basically make the neighbour aware that they are welcome to the arisings and that access from there side would be beneficial/quicker/safer.. By the sounds of it though looks like I've got some hard graft on my plate!!

You must offer back any arisings to the grower. If they refuse, fine, but you must offer them back. Else, they may suddenly decide they liked those arisings and seek compensation as a result.

In this circumstance

Only polite to inform the neighbour of the work anyway.

I would have done but the client said she'd take care of it.. This was obviously the outcome! Obviously I would have introduced myself on the day if I hadn't heard anything to make me think she hadn't dealt with it. I'm always as polite and courteous as possible as it can always lead to more work.

I have only been in this sort of situation a couple of times, but I would definitely recommend talking to the neighbour. maybe explain that if foliage etc is encroaching on their property and they don't accept the opportunity to have it removed now free of charge, the owner fulfilled their legal obligation which was refused, and if they decide they want it removed at a later date, they will have to do so at their own expense. Its sh*t talk but might work. Failing that if they have any shrubs, hedges etc that need a trim, offer to do it in return for access. Just make sure the work you offer to do for free doesn't take as long as the time you will save by getting access! Just appeal to their good nature, explain you're just a worker here to do a job, which will take a lot longer and be more dangerous without access. if they're any sort of decent human being, they'll not put an innocent stranger out over something you had nothing to do with.

Many thanks for your considered response, it's the advice I was hoping for. I will appeal to their better nature and see what happens as it will add time to the job if I can't do certain things from their side. Thanks again

Are you sure the neighbour wants the arisings back, or is this what your client is telling you?

90% sure.. I quoted this a while back and we have been in comms for a while regarding the job as it's currently a building site (which is prob why the neighbours are pee'd off). I only emailed her to change the date by a week and that's the response.

Okay, maybe I didn't explain myself very well.. The neighbour WANTS the arisings. The only thing they own is the overhanging holly. Everything else is in the customers garden. I will be doing the job regardless.. She wanted the quote itemised and has gone for the lot so will turn out to be a nice little earner, and as I have said time and again on here, I do not have the luxury of turning away work, no matter how difficult or inconvenient it may be I have an obligation to put food on my child's table and pay the mortgage. Should I knock?

I received an email response from a customer today and it's not something I've had to deal with before.. Here's some background to the job/quote - it's to

Prune a birch by around 20%, a beech by around 30% and to cut back some overhang and to reduce a small spindly beech tree that's grown bent and basically arcs into the neighbours garden.

When I did the quote I got the feeling they didn't get on with the neighbours and it now rings true.

Here's part of the email:

The 16 th of January2016 will be suitable for us. However you will not be able to gain access onto the neighbouring property to carry out your work. All material removed from the neighbours tree on our side in the back garden will have to be given back in accordance with the law. The over grown branch growing into the neighbours garden will have to be cut back from our land, and if this is not possible please let me know.

the birch is fine, no issues; the beech overhangs their drive, but not by much and with any luck I should just be able to cut and chuck; the spindly beech I could prob climb and yank back into her garden albeit not easily (should have been a simple ladder and pole saw jobby) the bit I don't know how to proceed on is the overhang and giving it back. They're clearly being difficult as it's just some bloody holly!! Tiny stuff, pole saw and hedgecutter work. Obviously it sounds simple, but, I don't want to just throw it over the fence. Should I knock for the neighbour prior to the job and arrange what they want me to do with the arisings? Any input gratefully received,

Matt

This is an arb forum... Train to be a tree surgeon? Then you have more to offer people.

They use it to make matchsticks don't they? I would surmise from that, that it burns ok... Dry

Good thread... Does anyone grease/oil/lube the joints/moving parts?

Did he leave himself anchored in to the price he was knocking off?? I can't read French

Looks safe enough to me.. Rated climbing line, fishermans, seems legit. Don't know if I'd climb on anything that I'd constructed, but I'm paranoid like that. Anyway, ditch the vega harness, I didn't realise how much I hated it until I got a petzl sequoia

Haha didn't realise this was a tree ID thread!! They were definitely Tilia Europaea.

When you use timber in construction a strength grade is usually specified. For hardwood, and large softwood beams, this is based on visual inspection, looking for things like knots, waney corners and insect damage etc.

 

For smaller softwood sections, things like joists and rafters, grading is done by mechanically testing each piece of wood, after which it is stamped as passing. That's what this machine does.

 

Alec

Ah ok, interesting. Thanks!

Keep us informed, I wanna clean up this year (that's not a raffle prize for me to do the dishes either!!)

Excuse my lack of knowledge, just being nosey....... What does it do?

Wwwweeeeelllllll... I don't think it's really worth that much at all pal, but I'll do you a favour and give you 500 sheets for it. I know, I know it's prob not worth even that much but I'm feeling generous. Give me a shout when you want me to collect it and I'll have the cheque ready for ya

Oasis - live forever

I'd be intersted to see if you'll get any feedback here...

 

I am in a similar position. I'd love to own woodland and I'd really like to know more about managing this environment. I am excessively practical and hard working. Working in the fresh air in all weathers appeals to me - it's how I spend my spare time anyway!

 

I took my Chainsaw Cross Cutting, Maintenance and Tree Felling (up to 380mm) course back in 2013. I've been involved in some voluntary work clearing trees to re-instate an old railway site near Bristol. I am comfortable and confident with a chainsaw, but I know and respect my limitations.

 

I'd love more opportunities to practice dealing with mature woodland and have involvement with all aspects of woodland management. Ive offered my services as a volunteer in all capacities and to many organisations, but as soon as I mention anything to do with chainsaw work I hear the same thing - "Sorry, we have preferred contractors that we use".

 

I get it. Safe, insured professionals would be who I'd choose, too, but I'd love to find someone who could use an extra pair of hands while at the same time trade some knowledge and experience.

 

People like us are happy to work hard, get involved, listen, do what we are asked to do and work in a safe, measured way. There must be some opportunites out there without taking on full time employment?

Bit of a thread hijack wasn't it?