maybelateron

I have a couple of Poplar trunks, approx 24 - 30 inch diameter 2m above ground to dismantle. They are both leaning quite steeply, enough to make staying in place on spikes a bit of a challenge, but not the main problem. They are left over from previous low pollarding - no prizes for guessing why they weren't completely felled. One overhangs a very tidy garden patio, the other a tidy block paving drive. There is nothing above them that cam be used to lower from, and they are not high enough to lower any sections of themselves. Just wonder what other people use to protect the patio etc at ground level, as the only way I can see is to cut small rings off and drop them carefully. In the past we have used dumpy bags packed with brash, and I am toying with the idea of sand bags. Any suggestions?

Zubat 300mm for all hand saw work, with the exception of the straight bladed Tsurugi for a job with lots of epicormics to remove. Find the Tsurugi really good in tight spots.

Honestly guys, the VAT return is nothing to be concerned about. I am not misleading anyone when I say it takes me five minutes to do my return, it literally is. All you have to ensure is that you use an appropriate accounts software, and have the self discipline to enter invoices for purchases and sales as they are created. I use an accountant as well, one of the bigger respected firms, from when I was in a different career, and I feel this is money well spent - if nothing else, HMRC know they are not a shady back street operation, and I would hope this makes me less at risk of a costly and time consuming inspection.

I had to register for VAT 7 years ago due to increased turnover. My turnover is now beneath the threshold consistently, but I would not consider de registering - I agree with everything said so far in this thread. I was able to reclaim VAT on previous investments (but not day to day costs eg fuel/repairs), I think going back three years. Like the OP I am mainly domestic work biased. Customers who we have worked for before accept they have to pay VAT on my work, and I don't want customers who insist on avoiding VAT by "paying cash". If I sense a potential new customer may be this way inclined I quote them the total cost, inclusive of VAT, without pointing out my VAT status. If they look closely at my quote/letterhead they will see the VAT reg number at the bottom in small print, as this is a legal requirement to show it. If the potential new customer indicates that they know I am VAT registered and pushes for losing the VAT for cash, I play along with them, but quote the full amount including VAT then put it through the books. Try telling the cashier at B and Q you want a discount for cash?. If you are reliable, do quality work at a fair price to yourself and the customer you should be fine. Regarding submitting the quarterly VAT return this literally takes me no more than five minutes, as I run a simple to use accounting programme (Moneydance). Investing in better newer kit is also so much less painful when VAT registered!

That is exactly what my local Stihl dealer said about my BG 86. Never looked back once the older mechanism was fitted.

The Pope is visiting Liverpool, and a man comes up to him and asks for help with his hearing. The Pope covers the man's ears with his hands, says a few words, then asks if he can hear any better. The man replied "No, my hearing isn't until next Wednesday"

Having spoken to the Rock people at the arb show I was definitely under the impression they make them, rather than import them. May well have Chinese components to some extent, but Briggs and Stratton engines are not something I expect to find on a machine built in China.

In recent times, if I suspect the customer I am quoting for is going to ask me to lose the VAT for cash payment, I tend to either give them a total price, not pointing out that I am VAT registered. If they look at the small print on my letterhead I do my written quotes on they can see my VAT reg no at the bottom and work out that I am VAT registered. Equally, if the first thing they says is that "it will be cash mate", I quote a cash price including VAT! Some customers just don't appreciate that money has to go into the account to pay all the bills and wages.

One saving grace is that it has two fairly central stems which should make for nicer anchor points compared to the usual pattern with Ash. Should make the climbing a bit more comfortable and easier.

I can’t remember for sure, but you may have a point there. One option is to wrap your strop all around the trunk so it acts as a choker, that way you can’t slip far, but it does slow down your ascent. But safety is comforting.

Yep, I have a queue of people waiting to buy the woodchip, cos the trees are still up at the moment!

Agreed. I would not want to be one of two groundies trying to keep up with a half decent climber on that drag.

I use my climbing rope as a second strop. If there is a branch I can get it over higher up I use that. I have been climbing for a long time now, and have gaffed out a few times - never slid more than 3-4 ft down the trunk before strop stopped the descent, just a few grazes. I would be interested to know what the biggest drop (we call it woodpeckering) anyone has experienced in this situation.

Assuming it will need to be dismantled I think anything under £1800 +/- VAT would be cheap. Wouldn't be surprised if you getting quotes of £2 - 2.5K. As already said more pics/info needed re access.

I have had a Jensen 540 for 5 years now (turntable roadtow not tracked). It is a fantastic solid machine with excellent ability at crushing forks and pulling material through. Never had the discharge spout block either. Only problem I have had was getting a new main brake cable - took ages to come from Germany and then it was the wrong one, so got one made up locally.

oops, should be their. OCD OCD OCD

That is exactly my position. Fine if they want to claim it as a business expense and risk getting rapped knuckles, but I will only go as far as to invoice the business for them, without specifying the address, or better still specifying there home address. One of my regular subbies was asked by a wealthy businessman to do an invoice for a business address in Liverpool for work of a type he never does, when the real job was tree pruning in Staffordshire. Nearly always the same, while the frail elderly widow wants to pay you before you have finished the job.

In my view it does matter. In the extremely unlikely event of thorough HMRC audit you could be asked to prove that you really did do work at the address quoted on the invoice. I like to sleep well.

Not as hard as grinding from underneath the roots upwards! I'm guessing you mean try and keep the grinder working on the side more than on the top?

Yes, but as only 22 hrs on clock and under warranty I will leave the dealers to sort it.

Here is my new toy. Old multi tip wheel from my now dead Huxley's Little David, metal frame/chassis built by fabricator friend, Honda 20hp engine. Works well, just waiting to get a minor niggle on the digger hydraulics sorted - after not moving the boom for 20 seconds or so there is a long pause till it responds again, and I can't react fast enough to prevent the grinder wheel jamming and belt squealing. Digger only had 22 hours on it, and dealer going to sort it out. 7b425e7a-418e-4635-80fc-5b78f5366902.m4v

Yep, I concluded years ago I had no desire to clog my yard up with cubes of logs seasoning for picky customers. We only sell logs as a sideline from domestic arb work. I have a small number of longstanding well trained customers who buy in advance and season them themselves.

I sometimes (only with longstanding customers with a sense of humour) introduce myself when I ring them as "Fellem and Scarper"

My local Stumpbusters man has been grinding stumps for years, and has used many different machines. He is not a fan of Predator grinders as he says that you need to be good with spanners and a welder to keep them going if you use them a lot. He regards FSI as good quality machines, although I have never been a great fan of Kohler petrol engines for longevity. You just can't beat Honda for small petrol engines in my view.

Couple of years ago I changed from Stihl Hi Flex (outer layer tore just too easily) to Stein Krieger Guardian and Sentinel. I like them, as does the lad who works for me. Much tougher, and more comfortable, but not at Pfanner prices. Never had Pfanners, but might try a pair from what people say about them.