waterbuoy

Depeds on what you are going to use it for - I do a lot of towing so now opt for the autos every time. I had a Disco 1 (300TDi) Auto that did over 300k miles before I blew a piston through the block whilst towing a loaded trailer uphill and overtaking a fully loaded timber wagon 🙄 - all on the same gearbox and transfer box. Prior to that I had three RR classics - two manuals, on which the transfer boxes might as well have been made of cheese, and one with a ZF auto that did well over 330k before I sold it, still with the oiginal box and transfer box. After the D1 it was a TD5 defender - killed that with the original box but the third transfer box. Based on the above then if you are going to do a lot of towing then I would consider an auto if you can get a good one. They are also much more relaxing to drive, and don't screw up your left knee like the manuals can! Current vehicles are a D3 at 275k and a D4 at 130k - D3 gearbox was replaced at 85k with a known issue (stator bush) but the replacement is approaching 200k.

Agree with the coment ref the poor quality of the Site gloves - I do well to get a full day out of them before the backs start fallig to bits

I still work on the box of receipts principle and process my accounts using an excel spreadsheet. This has a 'front end' page from '123 sheets' which deals with the digital side of things re submissions etc. During the three VAT investigations that I have had they took great interest in the physical versions of my invoices - less so wrt to the electronic ones as they are harder for them to sort through. By way of context I have about 700 transactions a quarter to process so not too bad.

We haven't done it from trailer to pickup, but regularly do similar from trailer to a higher working level. The key factor is obviously making sure the ramps are fixed in place at one end, but able to move at the other to allow for suspension movement etc. I've always put an offcut of the 18mm phenolic ply across the trailer under the ramps to try and spread the load

Surely if you have just bought the saw and have only run two tanks of fuel through it you take it back to the dealer and ask them to sort the issue?

R&T have them listed as available too....

The bug is the bacteria which feeds on the bio part of the diesel - especially if the diesel is left for a while. It starts off as small particles, grows into a stringy like substance and then coagulates to form a jelly-like mess. Can block pickup pipes as well as filters etc. We have to change the CAV filters on or boats every four weeks at present 'cos of it.

Another vote for the Husky mower here. We bought one when we bought the new gaff about 10 yrs ago. Significantly cheaper than the Honda equivalent but still with a Honda engine. Massive collection bag and high handle were the deal clinchers for us. Not a massive area of grass (about half an acre) but it is still running on the original spark plug and oil and hasn;t missed a beat since we bought it.

I was meaning that we paid well above true market value - by a factor of two or so - because we wanted to buy the land, ie willing buyer and reluctant seller. Our deeds still had the droit de seigneur clause in them. At that time the then Duke of Buccleuch was housebound so we didn't consider it to be much of a possibility! Retaining mineral rights is pretty much standard in most former estate owned land

To try and balance the view that the land has been 'stolen' by Crown Estate: Crown Estate assets are managed on behalf of us all, and any operating surplus is returned to the public purse. In this instance there is a strong likelihood that the developer would have owed payments to HMRC when 'going bust'. It could therefore be argued that the land at least particially represents the debt owed, and that it is in the interests of the public purse that the land is transferred this way rather than benefiting an individual (or individuals) whose property borders the land in question. Similarly, it would be reasonable for any purchaser to pay the market value of the land, whatever that might be, as that wil provide the fairest income to central funds. The Burges Salmon website advises the following under escheat: We investigate and administer new escheat cases, as well as some of the many accumulated cases. Our aim is to protect The Crown Estate from risk and, where appropriate, return such property to private ownership. Escheat | Burges Salmon WWW.BURGES-SALMON.COM Our uniquely experienced escheat lawyers handle complex escheat property matters for The Crown Estate. This confirms what I have previously stated - namely that CE is fundamentally averse to risk, and is why I suggested that you advise BS that you consider the trees pose a risk to your property (provided that is the case, and is not scaremongering). So far as who pays the legal fees, we previously bought a narrow strip of land from a developer. The land could not have a new property built on it due to planning constraints, and measured just 4m by 5m. However, it had a value to us as the purchase allowed us to extend the house into the original garden. We had to pay the full legal fees (around £4k) plus a considerable amount for the land itself (particularly given its location). Such is life, but ten years on it is already 'old money'. Finally, it must also be remembered that here in the UK much of our legislation stems from historic legacy, even if things are slowly being modernised. The first house I bought was previously owned by the Duke of Buccleuch and was therefore subject to a 'feu disposition'. The finer detail of this was 'interesting' to put it mildly - for example, historically the Duke had the right to bed a bride before the groom (droit du seigneur) which I understand stems from medieval times!

That is why we run Discovery 3's - carry more than a defener, more comfortable and yet just as unreliable and capable off-road.

The Crown Estate is (supposedly) an independent, stand-alone entity - primarily a land and property owner (eg significant parts of Regent Street) which returns any operating surplus to central govt in England and Wales. It is operated by a board of commissioners independent of central govt. Consequently, contacting your MP is unlikely to yield anything significant (unless you are in Scotland where TCE has been devolved to the Scot Govt and they influence far greater control) TCE is usually not in favour of disposing of assets, but in this instance one would normally expect them to be able to place a value on the land (together with solicitors fees) without having to go too far down the purchase process. Valuation would usually be carried out by the District Valuer, or their equivalent, although there may now be a public agency which takes this role.

I am not sure what you mean by 'Crown Land' - are you saying it now belongs to The Crown Estate or has it defaulted to HMRC or another public body? I used to work for Crown Estate on a part time basis and they used to take their third party responsibilities very seriously - to the extent that we had to update their 'risk register' every month. Irrespective of the above you are entitled to maintain anything which hangs over your property, but have to offer the arisings back to the owner of the trees. In your situation it may be worth writing to whoever you found to be the landowner and raise your concerns - they may then decide to take action but, even if not, you can still demonstrate to your insurers that you have tried to manage the situation.

The Freelander 2 would appear to tick the boxes.....but don't go near a FL1!

As a sole trader you have the option to run a vehicle (or vehicles) in a variety of ways. One of these is to 'charge' your business a mileage rate and then cover the costs yourself. Another, which I use, is to put ALL of the costs for the vehicle against the business and then pro-rata an amount for private use. If you are VAT registered this means that you are able to reclaim ALL the vat on fuel, repairs etc, as well as putting insurance against the business. You can also depreciate the vehicle using your capital allowances. What you might be thinking about is the situation where, if buying a vehicle, you are able to reclaim the VAT if it is a commercial vehicle (provided the vendor is VAT registered) but cannot if it is a private vehile (ie car) My wife and I both have L/R Discoverys of the non-commercial type and are able to put all the costs against our businesses and pay a relatively modest amount towards the total from our earnings. In the past I have also put family estates through the business in the same way. If in doubt speak to your accountant, but the above works for me.

Furthermore..... interesting calculation to be done on 'being more efficient but burns more wood' vs 'less efficient but can burn slower' - wonder which one produces highest total emissions in a typical burn cycle?

I'm doing similar with a workshop build but that won't need a building warrant, which may be where you have a challenge. I think the timber will need to be graded in order to get through planning. Having said that, if set on the full DIY approach then you could get trained to grade the timber yourself. So far as preserving the timber is concerned then I have managed to find a yard on the mainland who have agreed to dip the timber for me on a m3 rate. Not sure that there is anything like that available on the outer isles though?!

We hired in a couple of Hinowas last year to help with removing some large spruce trees in our garden. I think they were around 17.7 and one around 20m. Both could (just) be towed legally behind our l/r on a 16' flat bed Ifor. I did move the smaller unit a couple of times on our 12' Ifor but the 16' was a much better fit and 'looked right'. I was much heavier then than I am now (over 120kg) but it would still take me and a couple of saws. There is quite a bit of whip in both machines but both worked well and they seem popular with hire fleets which might say something. The 20m unit was much better for our needs, but we did find it more challenging to track across rough ground as it was more top-heavy (the extra reach comes from adding another boom within the top section - the external folded dimensions are very similar. Tracking them on and off the trailer was challenging until we reversed up against a slight slope and then used the 8' ramps. A beaver tail trailer would probably be better. Not sure if dual fuels are available as ours were powered by dinosaur droppings, but there seemed to be an option for electric power too. I have previously hired a smaller (14m?) dual fuel and found the electric charging to be a bit of a PITA to be honest. I'd suggest that for the investment involved you hire one first to see if it suits you.

Have done likewise (but removed matching wheel from other side of axle) - surely it depends on what the actual load on the axle is vs the rated capacity per axle?

Maybe, but as Dumper syas it has traditionally been used to floor HGVs - as well as bing used to make matchsticks I think

🥒🥒🥒

with thinly sliced cucumber.......

The Freelander 2 might be worth a punt (don't go near a Mk 1 though - piece of the proverbial) - they can be had for a couple of grand upwards and many have enjoyed a relatively sedate life. Plenty of space for people and gear, and not too thirsty - compared to their larger sibings anyhow. Seem to last better than the Disco 2 also.

The smell of fresh cut grass The welcome our dog gives me every time I walk into the house A quiet solitary moment in the spring, walking around our garden and watching it all come back to life

https://arbtalk.co.uk/classifieds/item/1860-8x4-caged-trailer/