Thesnarlingbadger

I wondered why the missis was disappointed when I took my kegs off [emoji848]

How tall is the tree? I would say that if its getting noticeably worse I'd be concerned depending on where the tree is in relation to buildings. You may be able to brace further up but it may be money after old rope.

Hi Rab, Can you get a 32" bar for a 266? You can cut 2x the length of the bar but with the tree being that rotten I'd be very wary about what it might do. What I'm getting at is that you could probably cut a healthy tree with twice a bar length but a rotten one I'm not sure I'd risk it. I would want to be doing it with a big saw so that I am right were I want to be if things go tits up. Might be worth asking a friend if they have a bigger saw to borrow. Cheers Eric

Well I gave it a go (for a brief time) last week. We were removing a 100ft pine with multiple stems. Two of us were climbing and we had to rig a large amount of it in big sections. The main problem was the place where the rigging point had to go was right in the middle of us and was a pain with one line let alone two. It was the largest tree I have done for at least 2 months and I was knocked by the end of the day and cramping up (probably just getting old and Christmas alcohol and food intake probably didn’t help) but if I had to drag 2 ropes around the tree all day I would still be shattered now. I can still see the benefits in some respects, but for this tree which I would have expected to be perfect for using 2 ropes in it was a flaming nightmare. I could have climbed it myself but it took 2 of us a full day to get the brash off and it would have taken me 2 days by myself. And then another day and a half to get the timber down and another day or so to get all the timber off site. So we would be looking at a 5 day job as opposed to 3 days. And my quote would go from 2k to 3k and I would have lost the job to the guy who quoted for 3 days work with one line. I know the AA have said they are going to support us in the change over but they are looking at this from a perspective that we are all working solely in the commercial sector of the industry. I doubt they are going to pop round Mrs smiths house and explains to her why I have quoted £800 to fell her Apple tree. Rant over. I will keep trying where I can but I am already putting in my risk assessments that using 2 ropes whilst rigging is more of a hazard. Anyway here is the beauty, really shame to take it down. The tree was 70ish years old, couldn’t believe it when I counted the rings.

Wicked thanks Mick [emoji106]

Hi all, Been going through and servicing the chipper today and noticed the engine oil was low. I know I have put oil in it before now but can’t for the life of me remember what oil I used. Anyone know it’s a 2013 model with a V1505 Kabota engine. I thought it was 10-40 or 5-40 but not 100%. Thanks in advance.

Yes and that’s my point. If an anchor has been tested I.e having 2 fat bastards bounce on it before accent then that anchor is never going to brake whist climbing up. I get it’s safer to have two ropes on paper but there are multiple reasons why it’s not and these issues will come out of the woodwork in the next year or so. Most accidents happen on a Friday afternoon so I’m surprised HSE hasn’t said no one is allowed to work past midday on a Friday.

I have yet to have my say on this. But from what I can tell it is already causing problems. I think one of the main issues is that many of us are too long in the tooth to make this an easy change over (myself included). Other problems I can see that have more than likely been mentioned are.. - Increased fatigue while climbing (i for one will be knackered after a big dismantle) - Increased cost on a job (I'm sorry Mrs smith but that £500 job is now going to cost £800) - How the hell am I going to drag two lines out to the tips of a big reduction without making a lovely nest of rope (I make a mess with one rope?) - The cost of buying more kit (this isn't particularly a problem for me but most of my subby climbers aren't just going to have a couple of hundred quid lying around (I pay people well before anyone makes a comment)). - The pain in the backside of re-writing all the 'health and safety policy' 'Risk assessments' and every 'Method statement' I send through (I just hate paper work). - When is a tree to small to use two lines. I'm not going to be be taking two 45m ropes to an Apple reduction. - They are saying you need to lines to ascend (does anyone know of any flaming accidents that have happened while climbing to a preinstalled anchor point that has been tested with two guys on the line? because I certainly haven't). The issue has and will always be human error, this isn't going to change just by adding a second line, it will just present different problems. so instead of a climber cutting there rope and falling out of a tree they are more likely to cut one of their anchors out on a multi-stemmed tree and find out they have snapped their pelvis due to the pressure on the harness, this will happen to someone before long, and then what? 3 ropes. Accidents happen and from what I have seen and heard a lot of them could have been avoided if kit was checked properly or if people weren't trying to act like 'johnny big bollocks' on site. This being said I am aware that some accidents happen to sensible people who are just very unlucky. We all want a safer working environment but I can't see this being and easy change with out a bit of backlash. Out of curiosity (and this may be a stupid question) is this fully in effect now? as I'm getting mixed opinions and from what I can gather form the AA is that it is in effect but we don't have the proper guidance in place yet?. Anyway I have a fairly big pine to take down this week so I am going to give it a go and see how I get on. I'll report back (with more woes no doubt). Anyway that's my 2 pence.

Cheers guys. Going to do the job mid November and I’ll suggest carrying out the work on the Oak around may time. Gives me a chance to sort out a shut down on the lines (still I’m sure I’ll get messed around last minute). Nice one [emoji106]

Ahh nice one. I didn’t even consider the oil tank ?‍♂️. Ok great I will speak to them and suggest fracture pruning and turning it in to a vet. Thank you guys.

First post in a while as I’ve been pretty hectic. But have just had a quite flick through some recent posts and remembered why I think this forum is great. Such a good source of information with a friendly/amusing bunch of folk. Anyway enough of the ass kissing.... I have recently looked at a job to take out another tree and spotted this oak. Am a bit concerned about it but not sure what is up with it. The tree is touching 11k lines but not sure if it’s been fried because of this or if it is a disease. One of the lads said it may be sudden Oak death but I can’t see this myself as it’s just a shed load of dead wood. I’ve took my client that oaks are fairly solid and hold on to there dead pretty well, I’ve also mentioned that it is likely to keep declining so will should think about a corse of action. Pictures are below. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks people

Hi people thanks for the reply’s. I would have replied sooner but I’ve been MIA on a site clearance job and haven’t really had a chance to look at my post. figured this might be the case. She way planning on filling in the garden with rubble and then decking over the top. To be honest I don’t really want to get involved as it’s not really my area. But I would like to give her some advice even if that advise is ‘unfortunately your f****d’. I’ll let her know to through some glyphosate down and put a membrane over the top, then the rubble and keep the secateurs handy for the future. Anyone know if it is likely to damage foundations or it’s the root system relatively week? Cheers

Hi people, Went out to look at what I thought was going to be a fairly big job a few days ago and it turns out it’s not and not really a job I’m interested in. However I have let the lady I quoted for know I will get back to her with some advice on the mater. She has moved in to a house and there was an old stump from a tree of heaven at the back of the garden. The stump has respouted and there a loads of little shoots growing up over her garden. I’ve said I will cut the stump down lower and pall the shooting saplings out but I can’t grind it as access is impossible unless you have a saw grinder attachment (not buying one for this job). She is concerned that it is going to keep coming back and her plan is to through a load of rubble (2ft deep) over the whole garden but won’t do this if the shoots are going to come up through. My questions are how likely is it to push through 2ft of rubble and if it will how do you kill it off? If you can. I never realised it would be this Resilient and I’m guessing is kind of like bamboo in this respect. I’m not going to get in to excavating the garden because at the end of the day it’s not what I do but I would like to come back to her with some advice. Pictures for reference. Thanks guys.

Nice thank you. Would never have got that one

Not 100% on this one but went out to look at a tree for a customer earlier and think it is some form of crab apple but the bark is a lot lighter and more fissured than usual and the leaves are a bit more waxy. Any ideas people? Thanks in advance.

All too well. I had a customer ask if I would be paying them for the timber from some conifers he wanted down. I said I could leave the logs with him and he could sell them himself if he liked. He seemed to think that I would have a list of contacts that would snap my arm off for some crappy old laydandii. I didn’t get the job and the conifers are still standing 2 years later. Works quite but not that quite.

Sorry to hear this Mark. It’s such a hard thing to have to go through. I’ve lost 2 family dogs in my time and it’s always taken time to get over. At least she had the best life she could have and eggs and bacon for a last meal is about as good as as she could have asked for. Hope you and your family are alright mate.

Ha I wouldn’t have had the balls to send the black walnut vid to any of my clients even though I have really wanted to sometimes.

I would avoid non genuine as I’ve heard nothing but bad reviews on them unfortunately. Can’t say for certain but I would say ‘buy cheap buy twice’ would be the rule here.

It’s been a really odd and quite year for me. Had a couple of big sites in January and now nothing. I’ve dropped down to myself and one other lad and still fine we are doing yard days (the log store it filled and all equipment is up together). Getting a bit worried now. I’m guessing Brexit may have something to do with it as I always seem to go quite around a general election as well. Keeping my fingers crossed it will pick up and putting a bit of money in to advertising. I looked back at this time last year and even though I was doing a couple of subbie climbing days I was doing 7 day weeks [emoji848]. I have had a few more calls this week though.

That’s good to know. The cost doesn’t really bother me as much as peace of mind does but I just feel I may be getting done over a bit. I’ll find out next week. Cheers

With the stuff going on with regards to not selling logs above 20% moisture how are they getting away with that? Or am I missing something?

Thanks Wayne I will do. Going to spend a day ringing round people next week and seeing what people can offer.

Hi people, So insurance is up for renewal at the end of next month and I’m going to spare a day new week phoning round and trying to get a better deal. I’m currently with Arborisk and have had no claims (touch wood). But the cost seems to be increasing a hell of a lot every time I renew, granted I have new tools etc but it still seems steep. I currently pay near the £2k mark for £30,000 worth of kit including chipper etc. This includes PL and EL. When I first used Arborisk it was £1k and it’s gone up a grand in 2 years. That on top of having to make the chipper and other kit so secure it can’t possibly be nicked makes me wonder if it’s worth took cover sometimes. That being said I would hate anything to happen and not be covered. I’m looking for people opinions for insurance and anyone to avoid. Maybe 2k is the going rate for a small firm but I’m hoping not. Any advice welcome. Thanks

I realised that after I posted ?‍♂️