Stumpy Grinder

There is one point worth clarifying here. As I don't generally cut trees down myself, most of the work I do is as a 'subby' for other tree workers, landscape gardeners, patio/driveway specialists, site clearance, foresters etc... So the price I'm quoting is for THEM and not the customer! Most know what I can do and I'm happy for them to quote on my behalf which means they generally make a bit too! I'm not VAT registered so if they are then that needs to be factored in. In fact, I often do much better out of this than if I quote privately as some of them seen to charge obscene amounts which I clearly see the benefit of! Basically, a lot of folk have come to realise that it is much more cost effective to hire me and my machines for the minimum time required as opposed to an expensive machine for the whole day which they then have to operate (and is generally in a poor state of repair with blunt teeth and no power!) It's a 'win-win' situation for all concerned. Of course I do some private work and I undoubtedly could charge a bit more in some circumstances, but I'm in a fortunate position where I don't rely on this income (yet!) so I'm happy to let the business grow and invest any profit back into it. In the meantime, my good name and client database continue to grow at an alarming rate without advertising! I will come to rely on this more in the coming years, and it could be passed on to my sons. I don't want to be seen as a bad person, but it is my business plan and it appears to be working nicely. Regards, SG

I think it also relates to efficiency though? If you hire or even own a small 13hp machine you can never compete with a larger machine coupled with a skilled operator. What might take you all day could be done in an hour. Machine hire plus a day labour might realistically add £250 to the job? I don't cut down trees, but if I did it might take me 3 times as long as you. Would it be fair for me to charge 3 times as much for the same job? I try to be flexible on price but do have a rough guideline for minimum cost. £20 to turn up locally and £40 minimum so a 10" would be £60. SG

So, I can knock out 3-4 jobs such as you describe in a day and make up to £600 and that's too cheap?

Because I can and still turn a profit without ripping customers off! I haven't spent out on really expensive machines that owe me a fortune in return. As an electrical and mechanical engineer, I've been able to restore and maintain older machines and run them at low cost. I even resharpen teeth to get maximum use out of them. It is also not my main income so I don't need to seize the maximum from every opportunity. My ethos is an honest days work for an honest days pay. There are a lot of guys that use me now, many of them are on here. I've quoted on jobs where customers have been quoted as much as 4 times as much for the same job! So am I too cheap, or are others taking the piss? SG

Could have subbed it to someone like me and made £130 for bugger all work and got your half day back! Not many can work as cheap as I can though. SG

I'd do them for about £150. Probably take about 1.5 hours. You are a bit too far away though! SG

You'd be better off finding someone like me nearby that charges by the hour! I'd have probably done all 3 in a fraction of the time with a decent machine. Cost would be much less than your hire fee plus £20/hour. You get your day back and probably a bit of money in your pocket and you wouldn't be feeling as smashed up as you are right now! SG

Fascinating! Thanks for posting that. SG

Field Maple. SG

I believe it depends upon soil type as well. Do you know if your house is on clay? With conifers in particular, a permanent soil moisture deficit can develop where the soil continues to get drier at depth year on year. In rare cases tree removal on such soils can lead to heave (i.e. upward movement of the foundations due to clay expansion rather than shrinkage). I've seen much bigger trees removed from near houses with no issue. I personally think you are more likely to encounter problems the longer you leave them there rather than their removal. SG

From a conservation point of view, brambles are a good thing! As well as a home for wildlife, they form a natural protective barrier around your tree guards which is good if your guards aren't quite high enough for the largest deer in your area! Whilst cutting back the bramble you will have undoubtedly also cut some natural re-gen trees as well which would have survived and pushed up through the bramble eventually. Once the trees become established, the canopy will eventually shade out the bramble and it will die back naturally. Also, deer species such as muntjac actually love to eat bramble! By removing it, the only food source left is that what you are trying to protect which then gets hammered! Best to just leave it if you can. SG

I also like the idea of the new trail cams that send a photo instantly to your phone. Firstly it alerts you so there's a good chance they can be caught in the act. Secondly, even if they do spot the camera there's a good chance you already have a picture of their ugly mug! SG

Any idea what sort of tracker? That surely has to be the way ahead? SG

Has anyone come across any small tracking device that could be installed inside a saw or similar? I was chatting to a bloke yesterday that reckoned he had his saw nicked and recovered by such means. The best bit here would be the chance of prosecution as well? I've been looking at some of the vehicle type ones on the market that would be suited to chippers/grinders etc.. SPECIAL GROUP PRICE - Back2You Might even reduce the crime rate if we could catch a few of the 'regulars' or at least make them think there's a chance of getting caught! SG

What sort of deer as that will depict height required. Also, are you trying to keep them in or out? SG

lyrebirds tail feathers! Amazing birds that can mimic chainsaws! Lyrebirds mimicking chainsaws: fact or lie? SG

You don't get a second chance to make a first impression, so make sure your first impression is a good one! SG

Well imagine my surprise! It might just be a coincidence, but most of the people responsible for rural crimes seem to have Irish accents and live in caravans. Maybe there's a link? SG

Good job! How long did it take out of interest? SG

What did you get?

I will be selling an old Rayco 1625 soon which has a 27hp replacement engine fitted. It works fine, in fact I've been using it all morning, but it is getting rather 'tired' now. The engine is fine, but there is some play in some of the joints. Probably still good for a few years yet though! It comes with a Rayco trailer and has had recent Trailer tyres/bearings, clutch, cutter wheel bearings, 'V' belts, etc. I need to get its replacement running first. Let me know if you're interested? SG

I reckon I'd have that done in less than 2 hours with the Magnum. The longest part is digging the soil away from around it as the magnum teeth don't last too long in the dirt and cost £60 a set. It's bloody thirsty too with a Husky 3120xp head running on full trigger. They are a very capable machine though and ideally suited for jobs like that. With a set of new teeth, they cut wood at a rather alarming rate! It's a shame you're not a bit closer or I'd have been able to help. I also suspect I could get my Rayco 20hp up that slope as it has some very treaded mini tractor tyres on and has dragged me up some very steep hills! Starting off is a bit slow, but the spoil quickly provides a work platform. It's hard to tell from a photo though. The beauty of the magnum is that it mounts on a single spike, so you could attack that from any angle. It's a different technique where you need to cut down along the grain rather than sweep sideways like a conventional grinder. They are hard work though and not a machine for the faint-hearted! SG

As a professional deer manager myself, I would advise you not to listen to anyone that says you can manage deer by culling alone! There are always some deer that are out of season, and you will always get nocturnally transient deer or just new immigrant deer. Culling does support other means of protection, but you really need to physically protect new trees if you want them to have the best chance of survival. SG

Paddy sees a tree felling job advertised and decides to apply. Mr Solomon, his new boss, tells him he expects him to cut down 100 trees a day and he will give him a week to get up to speed. He tells Paddy to buy himself a chainsaw. Paddy turns up on Monday morning with his brand new chainsaw and gets stuck in, managing 80 felled trees on his first day. As the week goes on, Paddy gradually become more efficient, but by Friday, he has only managed to cut down 95 trees a day. This isn't good enough for Mr Solomon, and Paddy is sacked. With no more use for the chainsaw, he takes it back to the chainsaw shop he bought it from, to sell it back. The shop owner gives starter cord a pull to check how it is working and it bursts into life. A curious look comes on Paddy's face as he asks: "What's that noise?" SG

Hell yeah! That's got it! SG