lux

Depends what work you are doing surely. What’s the reason for up scaling ? What are your other options ?

You do flip flop a lot.
 
Here’s how it works.
 
Client phones up saying they have a 9” stump, easy access to do, I say that’ll be 60quid, we will do it in the next two weeks, I’ll call you a couple of days beforehand let you know we’re coming.
 

I agree. With little stumps like that I’m happy to do them and will just fit them in around the nearest job to it. Usually on a stump like that they pay folding beer tokens and you will have already made your money elsewhere in the day so everyone’s happy.

I’d just get a local firm to grind that. It’ll be cheaper than a days hire on any machine in regards to the op.

Straight swap for the old style, not recommended by Stihl but it works.

Exactly. Works perfectly. Great piece of kit.

The tax savings are quite substantial - for instance if I got a £30k vehicle (plus VAT), I'd have to swallow a £6k VAT bill if it didn't qualify as a commercial vehicle. 
 
I'm also fairly keen on a long warranty, as it just offers fixed price motoring. You know that it might break, but that you won't have to foot the bill. I had a D40 Navara from 2011-2016 and it went into the garage 29 times in it's warranty period. It didn't like proper work. The 2012 313CDI 4x4 Sprinter is a better truck, but I've had issues with various sensors tripping up the ABS and ESP system, knocking out 4 wheel drive and cruise control. It's a good van though, and remapped to 160bhp (with the corresponding torque increase), it's fairly brisk. 
 
I really like the look of the Amarok, but it's serious money. You're up to almost £40k plus VAT by the time you've got a canopy, tow bar and other bits and bobs. And then you have to do the paper exercise with SV Tech (about £300) to uprate the gross train weight and towing capacity to 7000/3500kg respectively as it's lower from VW.

Dig deep in those pockets Big j. I feel the Amarok is calling you
Try finding a demo from VW that’s up for sale. Once they hit 9 months the dealers have to shift them on ASAP otherwise it costs them money so there’s deals to be had.
Also try Shere 4x4 ( their pickups branch ) it’s just down the rd from me. That place only stocks the best used ones. With and without vat but mostly with. He will find you a really tidy one no problem.

Not tax deductible though. Has to be a pickup or a van.

You’ll have to suck that up if you want more choice on cars.

Your a hard man to please Big J
In summary I conclude for your vehicle search it’s your fault. You are too lanky thus limiting your choices.
There must be some Scottish blood there because you are trying to save on the tax at the cost of choice.
Move to the states , buy a Chevy and cruise the big highways crucifying the ozone layer as you tow an artic sized trailer around every day ......


On a serious note chap I’ll be interested to see what you end up getting. I like seeing and hearing how people’s 4x4s are holding up for work. I’ve owned plenty now , each with their own merits and irritations. For me I’m now I’m brand loyal with Toyota but that’s personal choice and good experience with their 4x4s. Our old shogun family car was very very good too.
The Amarok 3.2 might be worth a look for you. That engine has epic torque for towing and is big and full of luxury in the cabin.

I had moved away from Landrover but my pal has just bought a range rover with a 5 litre supercharged engine. I’ve told him when he’s bored of it I’m having it off him to tow trailers. When you stick your foot down the nearest thing to it is taking off down the runway in an aeroplane .... epic engine.

The smaller load space isn't an issue. I have the Berlingo van, which has more load space than any pickup, should I need it. 
 
I just need a strong replacement tow vehicle that can go off road a bit. I'm not planning any crazy offroading and after a winter on mud terrains I've concluded that it's just better to get out and walk a bit rather than living with tractor tyres day in, day out. Ideally, the vehicle would be a bit more compact than my existing 4x4 Sprinter, which is 8ft wide. And needs plenty of power due to the hills.
 
Hilux's have always struck me as reliable but very basic. Also, for me (6ft 8"), they are very small inside.

If you don’t need load space don’t get a pickup. If it’s a tow vehicle get a land cruiser Amazon v8. You’ll have way more cabin space in a car 4x4 than any pickup due to the way they are configured.
Can’t say my hilux is basic, heated leather seats, touch screen etc etc.
Sounds like you need a winter set of tyres and a summer set of all terrains.
If you are set on the musso it comes in a car variant (which is why the tub is so small on the pickup as it’s an identical vehicle)

I did test drive the Ranger and I wasn't impressed. Hard, uncomfortable ride and obtrussive gearbox with a lot of random auto changes. Didn't feel quick either.
 
I'm disinclined to buy used now. The cost of repairs on an older vehicle is such an unknown. My uncle once said to me that with vehicles, you always lose money. On older vehicles it's on repairs, on newer vehicles it's depreciation. I'd rather lose on depreciation and hopefully minimise down time. I'm in the fortunate position of running two work vehicles, so always have a backup, but neither is capable of doing everything the other does.
 
Jesus, I don't know what to do. Why can't Ford just stick the 6.6l Duramax into the Ranger? I'd have that in a heartbeat! 

I think on the latest ranger it’s only a smaller engine option with a 10 speed auto.
I looked at the ssangyong at a local show. Very car like. The rear tub is tiny in comparison to other pick ups do not great for tools.
I’m not sure the ssangyong would be too great off rd if that’s important.
I believe Toyota are going to bring the 2.8 litre hilux to the uk next year. That’ll be good.
My 3 litre hilux has been great.

I have the telescopic stihl. Which is about 4 metres so if you hold it at head height you’ll be around 6 metres of cutting height. Easy enough to use, trimmed a few in similar tight spots no bother. They have changed the latest version so it won’t accept the hedge trimmer head hence I suggest the echo. The echo is probably lighter as it’s a smaller engine and also has a bolt extension for even more reach. Personally I couldn’t even contemplate some of my hedge jobs without a telescopic trimmer. Brilliant bits of kit. Get the adjustable angle head.

The echo telescopic hedge trimmer also accepts a further extension. You’ll be able to walk along and trim to 6 meters with that easy enough.

I would imagine the blades that look more like skill saw blades would be a better bet.

I can see he is very excited but to be honest that does nothing for me .  9 yards is less than air rifle stuff . Its the 2 mile sniper shot that fascinates me . The sighting shot , the corrections for wind , drop, and rotation of the earth etc etc ...

Hey stubby you live not too far from me. If I let this thing rip it might make it to your house [emoji23]

The Black tip denotes Armor piercing,it might have another red band(tracer) or yellow band (incendiary) or both painted underneath the black tip.
 
Clean off the base of the Cartridge on some denim or use a scrubbing brush,post a picture and I will tell you where and when it was made.
 
In the meantime,pull the projectile out by clamping it firmly in the soft jaws of a vice and wriggling the case to and fro.Pour the powder onto the lawn and kill the primer with a squirt of WD-40 inside the case.
 
 

I cleaned it yesterday , 1942 made by Remington.
[emoji106]

Found this live .50 cal round about 12 inches underground today. WW2.

My wife said “Don’t bring it in the house” and “Dont mess about with it either” the tone of her voice was far more fearsome than the risk of losing finger tips by stuffing it in a steel pipe and giving it a whack so no fun was had but a pretty cool find anyway. [emoji4]

 
45k for the Amarok is mental money for a work vehicle. If was looking to spend that much would go ranger raptor with the new 10 speed box, but at 49k still a joke to be trashed in the wood. Apparently the x class with the 250bhp engine is brilliant and Merc have ironed out the faults from Nissan. 

Raptor isn’t much of a work vehicle either. The suspension mods come at the price of pay load. Only carries about 600 kilos in the rear tub.

I like my 3ltr invincible, but often think about upgrading mainly for the need for 3,5t towing ability,
navara n-guard is top of the list if I go for a new mainstream motor, better spec, warranty and can tow 3,5t 

It’s a simple paperwork exercise to upgrade your existing one to 3.5t.

Dear All 

Im after an extra person to help on Monday for a last minute job. Im Based in Haslemere, Surrey, but the job is in Slough so you can either travel with me or meet on site. It will be an early start. 

Anyone expressing interest please PM me on here. 

 

Thanks in advance. 

Farnham

Thanks. I’m in Haslemere and may have some days coming up. Are you working for a local firm at all ? Cheers

what job did you do? climbing trees at all?

Yes I climb trees ..

does anyone have written down form
 

I mean i believe it’s advantageous to operate as a ltd company.

Form for ?

new digger alarm.

Hi,
 
Looking to fill a couple days a week in the Surrey/south east area. Ideally repeat work.
 
Confident in all aspects of tree work
6 years experience
All relevant NPTC
Full UK license
Worked in multiple countries.
Not afraid of a graft.
 
I come with saws, climbing equipment & PPE. Also have a truck if needed.
 
Contact number: 07795191617
 
Many thanks, Adam

Hi Adam. Where about in Surrey are you ?

There is no wrong or right answer but I can’t see sense in people pricing jobs as wages. If you have an old chipper / truck invariably they break down or need repairs etc which is pretty gutting if that’s your wages gone to pay for it. I wouldn’t entertain sole trading. I know my daily overheads wages , fuel , insurance etc etc the list goes on. I make sure I’m covering it and then making profit after tax in the business account. The more organised you are on the numbers the more it will pay off.
It is very difficult if everyone around you is cheap but try pushing your prices up , you will soon get a good feel if it’s viable or not and as someone mentioned you can price yourself out of the work you would rather not do and hopefully improve your client base to those with deeper pockets and nicer jobs. Hopefully you see an improvement in your margins [emoji106]

Not quite sure where in the west country you are but that price is well over the average 2 man team for here. (Plymouth) for some small companies that would be nearly two days working to earn that. Good for you if you’re getting that.

I’m south east.

Thanks for being so up front about it

No worries. Hope it’s helpful.