Mick Dempsey

That's how I understood it, i didn't realise a standard 1928 would qualify, years ago I had a 70 odd hp tracked arbor eater with just a top bar, it was a dream to use in comparison to modern machines. In the U.S. They only have top bars apparently.

Why illegal?

Don't all saws have a serial number?

Nice work there Jaysmith, I hope you were careful putting that stuff through the chipper if it had silt on it,

Like I said, my dad had one for years, they're ok........

And therein lies the rub, in fairness it only takes a year to so with a firm for a guy (or girl) to achieve reasonable competence. Throw in all the new climbing and rigging hardware and techniques which make the job easier and safer and you attract more and more folks into it. You won't get rich climbing trees that's for sure, you can make a living but that's about it.

Did a lot of strimming in a previous life. Going along nicely on a bank, "oh there's a wasp" two seconds later "oh there's two thousand wasps" drop strimmer and run......

Everyone needs one of those. Hand splitting is medieval.

Well done Stefan, you've recognized it, that makes rectifying it a lot easier. (We're all guilty from time to time of course)

Give them a price on the spot, more likely to get a yes. What's to think about?

Cheap enough from any agricultural suppliers, €25 for the pair, tractors have them for windows, doors etc.

All done, ready for work.

Since getting the GM 220 we've had to take off a piece of the roof of the tranny to accommodate it's extra height, but wanted at the same time have the option of a completely closed roof for the TW, so we bought some gas struts and welded up a flap so we can have both.

Ok thanks, how come you've got away with a top bar only?

What Gm is that? And what's that flap under the hopper?

Curse you! Not in the shops here.

201 serial # All becomes clear here.

A sweeping statement would be "all Americans are stupid" or "all German shepherds are vicious" Saying (in response to a post by Dean) I wouldn't buy a machine with a certain drive system based on research and owners reports (not least yours) seems fair enough.

Firstly lets get our terminology right (for anyone who is confused, not you Dean obviously), by pedestrian grinder we're talking about the grinders where you move the head across and up and down by hand a la hb20, then you have the driven grinders like the 252 or the Rayco 1625/35 where you control the movements hydraulically but the wheel is belt driven direct (well by two belts) from the engine. Lastly the ones like the the Vermeer where the head is driven by hydraulics. Now I have to tell you that having read up before my latest purchase on a lot of machines (Rayco 1635 although I'm sure I'd have just as pleased with an equivalent Bandit) I would not go near a machine with a hydraulically driven head (unless the HP is so big it would not matter) You talk of a power loss, well having spent many many hours standing behind and alongside machines, loss of power is the very last thing you want, there is not one benefit that compensates for spending more time behind a gutless machine tickling a stump (standing there with a grin on your face thinking "ooooh isn't this reliable!" Doesn't count) The guy with a 252 who demoed a sc30 and thought it was too slow even with the same engine was particularly illuminating.

Tough tough times Sean.

Take that parts number to a stihl dealer, stand there whilst he taps the numbers into his 'puter, then watch his face as he realises you're not a loon.

Agreed, much easier to sell grinding when you're in front of the client having just taken down their tree.

I blew maybe 7 poly chains in 12 years. The last two due to me not realizing that the sprocket was so worn it ate belts in a dozen hours. Ergo. I don't think belts and bearings are unreliable

I had the 25 Kohler command on my old Rayco, never missed a beat in 12 years. I going to say what you may suspect/dread, it's not big enough for that machine (with the hydrostatic head) Which may explain why it only did 15 hrs in a year. It's a shame because getting a new machine should be a happy day, maybe think about moving it on if it continues to disappoint. Edit, and yes Stu, once explained to the middle class French grinding can earn nicely over here.

If I read the specs on t'internet right it has the Kohler 25hp engine, is that right?