IronMike

I’m a Dewalt man too, got Impact driver, cordless drill and grease gun. Can swap batteries between the three and all relatively cheap and cheerful.

Greetings! When I started out, I had no qualifications/tickets at all. I dragged brash and fed the chipper etc and learned on the job. It’s a good way to get experience as you get to see everything that’s happening. With regards to getting your chainsaw ticket, it’s a bit like getting your driving license. Once you get it, you then learn how to do things properly! Getting you cross cutting and maintenance ticket and felling trees below 380mm would be more than adequate for the majority of groundie work. It’s all I had for years, and I got by fine. Trailer ticket is also very appealing to prospective employers. Having someone who can tow is very useful indeed, as sometimes you have to take several vehicles towing a variety of things (chipper, digger, grinder, Avant etc) so having it would be a big plus. the name of the game I found was to become invaluable to your work colleagues. Being able to think ahead as to what might need doing (fueling saws, warming chipper up, getting rigging gear sorted etc) and also making sure everything gets done, so not shirking responsibility like raking up etc. Turn up on time, with your bait bag packed, your mobile in the van or your pocket until break times, along with your smokes if you’re that way inclined, all your gear and a smile and you’ll go far!

I can second the vote for the Krapan or whoever it’s spelt. Remote control is awesome, and it is very well made and looks and feels solid. Done a few days with Mr Git and his one and was suitably impressed.

Sounds to me like the little things have generally adder nuff. I’ll fetch my coat...... ?

That's commitment! I would probably have ripped the Buffalo off my back if I had to wear it for work! ? I think it ultimately boils down (no pun intended) to the individual user. I know that like you, the moment I put a waterproof layer on, the heat rises. I really struggle to cope with that, and have worked in the rain with no coat on plenty of times as it means I can complete the job. If I'd kept my coat on I'd have lost my marbles. Yet I know some lads who will wear one all day and be fine. They do the same work as me, but I guess I just run hot?

Absolutely agree mate. If the moisture level outside the jacket is higher than inside, it can't simply dissappear. When I was prattling on about the others being less breathable I maybe should have said they were just a lot hotter. I know the moment I put the Harkie smock on I felt like a roast in the bag chicken. I was so hot, and nearly straight away. The moment I started to graft it was too much, I'd rather be wet from the rain than boiled alive. I found the Goretex the least warm is mayne a better statement.

They're on offer on Jonesies this weekend I think. I just splashed some cash on a set of waterproofs from the Magic Mountain sample sale. Got a full set of Mountain Equipment Makalu ones for £275, which is half price. 3 ply Goretex, bomb proof outer fabric. They are proper mountaineering ones, and I'm keeping them exclusively for when I'm sat on the Logbullet. In terms of work ones, I've been thrashing a few Berghaus Goretex coats I got off a mate who used to work for them. I have tried various others over the years (Harkie being one) and just find them absolutely boiling. I'm not saying Goretex isn't hot, but it's the best of a bad bunch in terms of breathability, and hasn't failed me at keeping rain out. The issue with the others is they keep rain out but keep the sweat in!

Thanks for the replies folks. I’ve messaged Shavey, so hopefully get a resolution soon! Im off for a wee jolly to the Cotswolds next week anyway so no cutting for me for a while!

Morning all, Currently rather frustrated with my tape situation. Bought a 15m Stihl one a few months ago as it was all the local dealers had in stock and I needed one. Never really liked it, felt flimsy and forever coming unstuck. Anyhow, that got leant to my subbies and firstly the metal that held the pin to the tape broke, then the pin disappeared. So I decided to treat myself to a nice Husqvarna one. Like a fool I just bought one from my local place again and paid far too much. Got a 20m one and it was £49 Inc vat, just checked on Jones and its £28.89 less the vat! ? Annoyingly, that one snapped yesterday and its only about 2 weeks old. Can't find pin end anywhere as was going to bodge the shitty Stihl one back to life. So I'm looking for recommendations for a good decent quality tape. I predominantly do first thinnings so 15m is probably fine, I only got the 20m Husky one as it was a few quid more and I thought why not. I know my choices are limited in reality, but is the fancy Bahco one worth the cash? Or is the Spencer one just as good for half the price? Apologies if this has been covered a thousand times, but using the Arbtalk search function is like quantum science to me! ?

I just ordered myself a set of waterproofs from the sample sale at Magic Mountain. I got a Mountain Equipment Maluku jacket and matching over trousers, both for what I deem to be a bargain of £275, which is half price! Mega tough Goretex fabric, plus the jacket is in a nice orange colour. They only really have stuff in size large or small bu there are some bargains to be had for sure.

Busy morning here, got the harvester out and wagons getting filled quickly. New foreman keen to get paid right away, card reader in hand! (The boy picked these toys himself, I'm a proud dad. We have misplaced his Fendt tractor unfortunately, but so far so good with his selection!)

Some interesting info here. I’m on the hunt for a full set of decent waterproofs to use whilst I have a day on the machine. I’m used to getting really bloody hot whilst at work, but I’m discovering that sitting down mostly static doesn’t create that much heat!

@Gray git

Hello, I am looking to get in touch with any self employed cutters in the North Yorkshire area. I’m after some help on an ad hoc basis doing first thinnings work, so lots of brashing and felling and processing small/easy stuff. Work would be located just outside Richmond, and would probably be a day or two a week for a wee while at least. No massive long days as I balance work and family life well. Might suit a recent college leaver or someone newly qualified looking to get some experience cutting. I can supply saws and fuel if needed. I’m equally happy to hear from any fully qualified and experienced folk too though! Basically its it’s an easy going situation doing straightforward work, that could well lead onto more work in the future. Send me a PM through here or click on the link below to get contact details from my website. Many thanks, Mike Low Impact Forestry Ltd

There is a small zipped section/pocket where the symbol is. Isn’t big enough for much. I have my first aid kit on my belt so I’m sorted.

I like the red too! And yes, mine are looking decidedly less red now. But honestly, I’m very impressed. Pockets are well thought out, everything seems great quality and the price is excellent. What more can you ask for!

Ps I had a pair of the Innovations, and these Solidur ones wipe the floor with them.

I recently got myself a pair of these after a recommendation from a mate. So far they are excellent. Comfy, lightweight, massive vents on the back and seem to stand up to Forestry work fine. All this for a reasonable price. Only downside is is the colour choice. You can have any colour you like, as long as it’s red! Solidur Infinity Type A Trousers WWW.TREEKIT.COM Solidur Infinity Type A Trousers have 5 layer front protection and 4 pockets including ruler pocket and back pocket with...

Evening all. I’ve had a mate from back in the motherland get in touch, needs some work doing at his recently inherited house. Not spoke to him for a wee while so he didn’t know I’d moved away. Anyone in the local area keen for a bit of work? Sounds like some pruning and possibly a removal, maybe some hedge cutting and general garden maintenance. Unfortunately I know nothing about access. If anyone was keen, PM me and I’ll pass details on. Westfield in Workington I think. Cheers.

This is very interesting mate. I'm constantly battling signal issues in the woods, so this might be the answer.

Got my local dealer to price one up. It’s next on the purchase list I reckon!

I’m sure I saw an advert for the new L200 and in the small print at the bottom of the screen it’s said the 3.5t towing capacity was only when towing a triple axle trailer with brakes. Single or double and it was less (3.2t perhaps?)

I’ll try and loosen up a bit, see if that works. My unstable and weak shoulders ain’t helping. Off to see a private quack to have them looked at, and find out whether the operation I had was actually the wrong one for me (out of a choice of two). The aim is to be on the Logbullet pretty much full time eventually mate, but for the immediate future I’m having to muck in and do plenty of cutting myself unfortunately.

Hmm. Interesting point J. I have been wondering if I’ve been clinging on a bit much recently, possibly due to my shoulder issues? As of yesterday I’m using a brand spanking 550 Mk2. I was looking at these gloves: Anti Vibration Gloves Hi-vis Reflective Safety Work Gloves, Touch Screen, Flexible Spandex Back Anti Vibrant Gloves Hi-vis Yellow & Orange Large: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools WWW.AMAZON.CO.UK Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop Anti Vibration Gloves Hi-vis Reflective Safety Work Gloves...

Cheers man. I like to think I’m fairly tech savvy (a phrase I hate!) but the arbtalk search function is a mystery to me too ?