IronMike

I have one of these, it’s great. Got the shoulder strap options too, very handy. I got mine from a website called Tools Today I think, was cheapest at the time.

It's hardly like all those big firms are short of a bit of brass is it? Where as all the self employed cutters I know would've benefited massively from 100% funded grants. This had the opportunity to be an amazing resource, but the brown envelope brigade have no doubt had their way again.

I flipping knew it. Utter bag of nonsense, the whole dam thing! My urine is actually boiling, although I knew something was fishy from the beginning.

I only tried my hand at a standing sale once, and it didn’t end well for me. Bit far for me to travel anyway, but if it was closer to home I’d be interested in a conversation.

So, did anyone on here manage to secure any of the £700k of funding available? Something seems very fishy to me, as all the money appeared to be gone in about 4 days. I know of one fella personally who got some, and someone I follow on Instagram said they got some too. But not a single professional in the industry I know got any at all. If the average price for a course was £500, could it be plausible for 1400 successful applications to be made in 4 days? Most of the training providers I contacted knew nothing about it, including one who was listed as an approved provider by the FC on their own list. Call me cynical, but it all seems a little odd 🧐

I am very keen to pick your brain about this fella!

And finally, I can waffle crap about Logbullets, low impact forestry and other stuff for hours! I’m very passionate about it. Apologies in advance!

I should also add the estates I work for pretty much all have large biomass boilers, and either use or sell their own firewood. So every last scrap of timber is utilised. They get the thinnings work done, and managed woodlands as well as a useable product (chip or firewood). They’re left with neat blocks of top quality timber, and they’ll reap the rewards further down the line without doubt. Also the bullet can come on for a days work only, as it’s towable behind a regular road going vehicle. This means you can get some creamy work for the likes of the Woodland Trust etc, when they want to be seen to be doing a nice tidy, environmentally friendly approach.

I’ve finally got chance to sit down and add my two pence to this conversation. Nice to see Logbullet bashing going on as usual 🤣 don’t knock it til you’ve tried it! I’m echoing others, but it really is like comparing apples and oranges. In first thinnings work, the bullet knocks the socks off nearly anything. It’s unbelievably nimble, and so quick through tight blocks of conifers etc. However, it has its limitations. The three big nemesis of the bullet are steep ground going uphill fully loaded, large timber, and long haul to stacking/staging area. It’s these areas where it falls down, and I am the first to admit that and do my damn best to avoid them at all costs! But I can move over a wagon load easily in a day when the right site presents itself. And I have forged a business based entirely around that, and after 4 years hard work it’s a busy little outfit looking to take on its first full time employee. I added the AGT850 Alpine tractor and Igland winch to the fleet and it works amazingly with the small forwarder. If you can carve a niche like I have, and convince folks of the merits of low impact methods, you too can have a successful business. But you can’t go into it like you might with bigger machines and bigger sites, the logistics simply don’t work. Day rate only, I tried a standing sale once and got burned badly. I’m happy with day rate, my clients are too. But others may have more success in different ways. The vast majority of my work is for local estates, on lovely sites, away from the public, doing great and enjoyable work. I have a laugh every day, without doubt! I make enough to live comfortably, and the business is now self sustaining almost. I’ll never be Uber rich, but I don’t care!

https://www.24mx.co.uk/product/sena-20s-evo-intercom-two-pack_pid-PIA-127290?dfw_tracker=63416-PIA-127290&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv7nR6NzO_QIV0tLtCh0w4AsqEAQYAyABEgIqp_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Cheap!

I use my Sena for Comms and music. Once connected to your colleague, you can switch between music to Comms with the push of a button. Dead easy. Equally, you can both be listening to music independently, and then break off to chat. A lad once managed to transmit his "music" into my headset, so it is possible for you both to listen to the same stuff, but I've never recreated that (haven't tried!)

I use Sena 20S headsets, work grand for me. Can be used with saws and machines running and I take calls and listen to tunes with them too. Best place to buy is a website called Sportsbikeshop.

@Crockyis a busy man, and rightly so. I would advise it is well worth the wait though, his work is top notch.

Argh, the stumps, my eyes!! 😂 Jokes aside, that’s a nice rig you’ve got there 😎💪🏻

I would never entertain one for standard forestry work due to stump height. However, if you’re working on a slope, I’d imagine they could be useful especially on big old hairy edgers. Also very good up a tree I’ve been reliably informed.

I have a brand new, unused genuine OEM full wrap handle for a 572 sitting on the shelf in my yard. I bought it last year as I wanted the bigger dogs so the whole kit including new clutch cover etc worked out cheaper to buy together from eBay. If you want it, send me a DM and we can sort it out. I don't want much for it and I'd rather it got put to use than sat there.

I’m sure I read somewhere the Stihl ones use Sena internals…. Shame they can’t communicate though. There is a setting in the Sena menu for “universal pairing” but I’ve never managed to get it to chat with anything other than Sena.

don’t suppose you could share some photos of your Sena install please Joe? I installed my own and it’s fine for the most part. I have used the 5S, 10S, 50S but now settled on the 20S. The clip on the 5 and 10 was shite, the 50S were good but I had 2 x sets of them and both had battery issues. The 20S has the better clip where it’s an actual button you press to release the comm unit and so far they have been great.

Doh! 🤦🏻‍♂️😂 And there was me thinking I’d solved it in a jiffy. I know @Gray git had a bit of a faff getting his Stihl comms to fit his Petzl helmets, could be similar solution available for the Protos. Maybe he can offer some insight?

Boom! Protos 3M Peltor Attachment Brackets WWW.SAM-TURNER.CO.UK Protos 3M Peltor Attachment Brackets, from Sam Turner & Sons | The Protos 3M Peltor Attachment Brackets allow you...

This is the jacket I got….. Lhotse Jacket WWW.MOUNTAIN-EQUIPMENT.CO.UK For those requiring the very best all-round performance and absolute protection for mountaineering in all weathers.The... These are the trousers…… Lhotse Pant WWW.MOUNTAIN-EQUIPMENT.CO.UK Essential hard shell leg wear for mountaineers requiring full protection in the worst conditions.With GORE-TEX PRO 80D... but I gave about £450 for the pair. Still a big spend, but have been used for 3 years now and still going super strong with no rips or tears etc.

After all that, I’ve just looked at their website and they don’t have any ME waterproofs in currently 🤦🏻‍♂️ keep your eyes peeled though as their stock changes regularly.

Harkie and Arbotec smocks are boil in the bag hot in my experience. Echoing what others have said, there isn’t a great middle ground as you either keep the rain off and sweat your knackers off, or keep relatively cool and the rain gets in. I spunked some serious coin on some Mountain Equipment goretex offerings, but they were from an outlet called Magic Mountain. Properly tough, 3 ply mountaineering waterproofs. Massive hood that goes over helmet, longer at the back, pretty much bulletproof. Have worked in some seriously horrible weather and been ok. But, like waterproof boots, they are inherently flawed due to the holes already in them I.e where your head and arms poke out! 😂 I spent years working in outdoor retail selling waterproofs etc. You can spend an unlimited amount on gear and it’ll still not be perfect. Pick your compromises and see how you get on. I’d definitely recommend Magic Mountain for cheap gear (relatively speaking) and service.

Solidur Comfy Chainsaw Trousers Type C WWW.CHRISFORESTRY.CO.UK COPA - COMFY CHAINSAW TROUSER TYPE C Class 1 (20m/s) Type C (All round protection... Not got zipped vents but does have mesh vents. You can get 2 pairs for your budget (well, nearly) and although I haven't tried their type C offerings, I can absolutely recommend their type A.

I think two of the lads who cut for me picked some up at the APF. I'll ask them how they're getting on.