copy.jpg.72ad7dac7bf1eb11a2f7a5eb5b64bf78.jpg)
maybelateron
-
Posts
1,079 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
4
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Classifieds
Tip Site Directory
Blogs
Articles
News
Arborist Reviews
Arbtalk Knot Guide
Gallery
Store
Calendar
Freelancers directory
Everything posted by maybelateron
-
I have used Meindl Airstream for several years, very happy with them. Before that I used Haix Protector, was happy with them too. Reason I changed to Meindl was that the heel was a little thicker, os they lasted longer until my spikes could slip out from under the heel. I run two pairs of boots - the newer pair for climbing days and the worn pay for ground days, especially if dragging brash over concrete/tarmac etc.
-
And the more you trim them the more chance of rod spider mite coming along (in my experience anyway)
-
Is yours form Rock Machinery by any chance? I have their 22T towable petrol powered spitter. Can be used vertically for really heavy stuff/break up big rings, then horizontally for the vast majority. I really like it, and good value.
-
I recently bought a pair, just like the ones in the video. The long gaffs were just too long, so I changed them to shorter ones. I use these now, just as often as my gecko carbon spikes. I tend to use the geckos on smooth bark, and panther on thicker bark, or anything with thick Ivy. Good value spikes.
-
My sister has two apple trees that were windblown like this, many years ago, and both survived. You could leave it and see how it fares.
-
I have used a few Rotatech chains. I would be happy to continue using them on small saws for snedding stuff to go through the chipper, but I would not use them on an MS 261 or anything larger. I have never had a Stihl chain break on any saw, all the way up to MS880. When I started out over 20 years ago I had Sabre chains snap. I never had a chain snap again once I only used Stihl. Then I tried Rotatech, can't recall if it was on the 261 or 462, but a chain snapped, with only a small bit of metal in the timber. I just stick with Stihl chains, now but I do agree with previous comments about "if it works for you".
-
My little finger could lift that lego crane.💪 Oh yes, and I am applying for a government grant to set aside part of my brain (🧠) to not think about trees.
-
Totally agree with you on these points, and well said.
-
I am not familiar with GP locum rates, as I left medicine nearly 9 years ago. I would not go back, no matter how much was on the table.
-
Agreed in principal, I always want to pay my staff as well as possible. However, there is often more than just the hourly rate to consider. My employed donkey has twice put metal through the chipper - once it was an electric fencing stake, second time a steel carabiner, plus various other errors that cost me money. The young lad is a star, and he gets other benefits - on the rare occasion he is off work with sickness he gets full pay from day one, although this is not in his contract. When he was furloughed in early 2020 I made his pay up to 100% at my own expense, after claiming the 80 % from the government. If he asks to finish early so he can be at school to see his young son collect a prize, he can be there. There are many ways of rewarding good workers. Also remember that South Cheshire is not the same as North Staffs, and we are over subscribed with tree surgeons in SOT.
-
I am in the unusual and fortunate position that I no longer depend on the business for my sole income. I can therefore pick and choose which jobs I want.
-
Ideally yes. However, we are oversubscribed with tree surgeons in our area, which makes it very competitive.
-
Seems a lot of people don't want to open up on this one. I am comfortable with answering. I have a very hard working 28 year old who is a complete asset. He is a very good groundie, and a good second climber. I pay him £13 per hour. I have a loyal, trustworthy, employed reliable donkey who I pay £10 per hour. I also have a subbing donkey who I pay £80 - 100 per day. I work on the basis of £30 + VAT per man per hour on site, plus travel and fuel costs. For fixed cost quotes, if there is a job I want I may quote at £550 - 600 + VAT per day for three men, or £650 - 800 + VAT for four men. For jobs I don't want I quote higher. This is in the north midlands.
-
Agreed with all above comments. I am on my second Disco 2 auto, had this one for over ten years. I regularly tow 2.5 - 3.5 tons with it. When it is time to change it there is no question at all, auto every time.
-
That's what I would do if I had to do the job, but haironyourchest's suggestion makes sense. From the point of view of running a business and wanting to enjoy the work I do, I don't feel bad turning down some jobs. For example, I declined to quote for dismantling a decent sized Beech recently, because it was over the road, power lines, and BT cables. I am an older climber, and while I am able to do that job by climbing (road not wide enough for my MEWP with traffic lights in place), I would not want to have to do it on a foul wet day - you can't really postpone just because it is wet and unpleasant; need sever gales or snow to justify not turning out. Sorry for the derail, but just giving another perspective on awkward jobs.
-
Only went there once, years ago, but was good. Wonder if the ghost torched it.
-
Where's that then eggs?
-
I bought my digger two years ago. Maybe it is since then that they are not insuring them for arb work?
-
Yep, I would agree with Big J on this, and I am not a great fan of being superwoke.
-
Not offended me with this one, but I think in the current climate it may come in for raised woke eyebrows?
-
NFU for all my insurance except EL and PL. Can't fault them.
-
My neighbour has a sign in his porch that reads "Dogs welcome, people tolerated". Likewise, the more people I meet, the more I like my dog, oh and the neighbour's goat and alpacas.
-
As a fit teenager working on a dairy farm I would struggle to outrun the Friesian milkers, let alone heffers. No chance now I am in my 60's. BUT, if people could stay calm and remember they can out manouevre cattle it would help, unless surrounded by them. I was cornered in my yard late last year by the bull that broke into our field when feeling interested in the cows. I stayed calm, knowing I could jump over the gate in a flash.
-
I have a dedicated works washing machine for such things (after a bollocking for using the domestic one for the task🤣) I use non biological detergent and the ropes come out perfectly clean even after the stickiest of trees, even monkey puzzle.
-
I'm not sure what eagle claw gaffs look like/are. Mine are the standard short gaffs they came with. We also use a pair of pretty new Panther ally spikes, velcro top and bottom - the long gaffs on those are like eagle claws, ideal for Poplar, mature Oak bark and Ivy covered trees, but not much else.
copy.thumb.jpg.f915ab7c22269aca3208e5754ce04bf9.jpg)
