Starscream

So this pic shows the "50%" reduction carried out by the guy who got the job. He also told the lady that they can't remove the other side because it might kill the tree.. These are the kind of parasites that are plaguing this industry, conning people and getting paid good money for it, and taking jobs from honest professionals. She now has to pay me to do the job properly. Which I couldn't really take much off the original price as all the hard work remains (there is no drop zone and everything needs rigging to some extent). They spent a day removing twigs, took their £300 and left. The husband wasn't home at the time and the woman took their "professional" advice as gospel. The job wasn't done to the agreed spec and they have to fork out another load of money. I feel gutted for them and wish I could do it cheaper. So in response to some previous comments like "These are the type of customers you want"... What? Donuts who are prepared to have their pants pulled down? No, quite frankly, although they're very nice people, it's these type of customers who are allowing these scumbags to continue trading because they aren't prepared to get more than one quote or use recommendations (I was a recommendation) or do a little research into reputable companies/arborists. So because of "customers like these" we will continue to miss out on jobs, and we will continue to see **** work with no regard for the health of a tree and a total lack of moral standing to the people they rip off.

Some good replies, thanks guys

Hospital have told me I have an inguinal hernia.. Anyone else had one? It hurts but it doesn't bother me too much, neither does the thought of the operation.. What does bother me is the recovery time and not lifting heavy things etc.. Well, funny old thing, my job is just that!! Can anyone whose had one tell me what recovery time is like? Docs are saying a month off work?? Not feasible. Then another guy said he had one done on the Friday and was back to work on the tues, which I'm not sure I believe. Is it a case of how you feel or is it a case of waiting for recovery? I don't want to exacerbate the problem, of course, but would be nice to hear from others who have had this and how they got on. Thanks

Mate don't apologise... need more funny comments on some of these threads.. Some people on here are a bit too serious.. "Wiping her knob on the curtain" oh my god, you done me. I laughed so hard!

You absolute joker!! That had me pissing myself... I'm sat in A&E with a hernia and couldn't control my laughter. Am hurting a bit more now though.

As a climber, if I can't see the drop zone or even if I can I'll usually be heard yelling 'clear?' So ground staff are aware something is making its way to earth. Wait for a response, then chuck away!

Ask questions, the best way to learn is from first hand experience. Although, there may be a fine line between being an annoyance and being interested!!! Find the right balance. Start with basics as well.. There's little point in asking about complex rigging scenarios that you will not understand. If you haven't done any courses yet perhaps you could ask how to sharpen a chain so you can then be useful.

What a load of old 'chip'!!!

Another pic

Anyone know what this is? It was on a mostly dead pyracantha. Must have been a fairly rapid decline as we maintain the garden and don't remember seeing the plant like this last month. Any help much appreciated!

Even at full stretch the one I use wouldn't have enough momentum or weight to reach my face. Never had any problems but not to say it couldn't ping up and do some damage having thought about it!!!

Isn't 11mm more for srt? I'd spend a bit extra and go with blue tongue or hedera 11.7 (same rope different colours) in my experience I've never liked HC on thinner ropes, but that's just me

My friend is a marine and he gave me a pistol lanyard and it's brilliant... Found one on eBay for you.. GENUINE NEW BLACKHAWK PISTOL/KEYS/CS GAS LANYARD | eBay

After starting on Prussik/pulley I recently got a lock jack and I'm quite liking it.

My friend has one in a br420 and seems fine. Prob won't last as long as the construction won't be as good, but so far ok. Only time will tell. On the flip side you may want to "buy nice or buy twice".. If you end up replacing it a year down the line you would have spent as much if not more than buying a proper one

What's NBD?

At worst maybe 5 hours, just because of all the rigging involved and we were to leave all wood on site. Defo understand what you mean about going too cheap but it wasn't cheap, just an honest price. Fair point about not letting the other guy down, but when someone gives you the go ahead it felt like it was my job. I fully understand it was just crossed wires just felt like sharing it with you guys!!

Lost out on a job today to reduce a lime tree. The customer was a 70 year old guy who had started reducing the tree himself!! He had borrowed some rock climbing gear and had got up about 20-25ft! A brave attempt with what he had and the fact he is 70!! Anyway, he done a terrible job and ended up destroying his neighbours shed. That's when the wife had enough and asked me to quote for it. There was next to no drop zone so everything would need to be rigged. Didn't have to take any of the wood so gave him a fair price of £250 for me and a groundie to deal with it... Sooo they gave me the go ahead and I said I'd do it next weekend.... But, unbeknownst to the guy, his daughter had arranged for another tree surgeon to deal with it who had quoted £320. He's booked in for tomorrow and they didn't want to let him down.. But I was cheaper!!! I've obviously lost out on quotes before as I'm sure we all have, but this one just seemed to pee me off!!

Cornus mas

I have a br420 but it struggles to start when it's warm.. It starts fine at first but when it's turned off its a nightmare to restart. I've stripped it down and everything seemed fine. Pot and piston is smooth as, new carb, new piston rings, new spark plug. Inlet manifold is fine, no cracks. Once everything was stripped I noticed scoring all around the flywheel and magnets. The ignition coil was touching the flywheel so I moved it away and thought the problem was solved but yesterday problems started again. Any ideas? Does the flywheel need replacing? Cheers in advance for any input

Was cruising the web yesterday and came across this stihl shotgun!! This guys got the market covered!! At first I couldn't imagine why he would make a shotgun but I suppose it's for protection from animals for loggers in the forests etc. I remember being in fr jones once and seeing a BBQ tong set made by stihl!! Anyone else seen anything random by stihl?

Fair point, but I meant someone who is proficient in all aspects of the industry.. I work with a lot of them, so they do exist. Perhaps my comment wasn't very clear, but I didn't necessarily mean ditch him, just employ a team leader style person if the company is growing in the right direction.

Employ someone who is proficient if your company is growing.. They might cost you more, but they will undoubtedly earn you more. Also, peace of mind is worth a lot more than a few quid. Undue stress is not a good thing.

Jeeeez, lighten up, it's the weekend. Was only messing around. Sorry for the comment guys.

Thanks for all the info on the cans... Will pop along to FR Jones and grab one!