lux

Every 3.5t van for arb work is usually overweight most days it goes out when loaded with chip and logs. The springs aren't used to carry extra weight over another 3.5t van they are used to carry the same weight better. Any 3.5t that you fill up a chip box on will be overweight. Even if it's not overweight in total it will be over on the rear axle which is exactly the same for penalty purposes.

Who is more likely to get pulled... the van scraping the road or the one sat nicely on its springs. ??

Even if you were unfortunate and had a dink your vehicle will not be taken off and weighed ....

Mixed fleet. We use a couple of 3.5t and a long wheel base mog with a large chip box.

The mog is great and swallows loads of chip but access / parking is an issue on a lot of domestic sites that would be prohibitive if a larger vehicle was your only option.

Plus you can split crews with a few vehicles and cover for vehicle down time.

Swap out the leaf springs on the 3.5t for beefier springs. Hides the weight well. It's so easy to be overweight on a 3.5 by the time staff and tools are in.

The springs don't stop you being overweight but you won't attract attention with the belly of the van scraping the road.

some numpties just found out you don't bring a knife to as gunfight..

Idiot. What a stupid and disrespectful comment.

The mortise holes are way to large. That will cause you issues using a standard 9'6" chestnut rail. Or any rail for that matter.

Use a chain Mortiser. Hire one if you don't want to fork out on one straight away.

Much better tool for the job.

It was a lovely tree but I have to say the church looks impressive now it can be seen more as well.

Interesting thread. I suspect most fireman dealing with any tree / branch on a car would be using hydraulic shears to cut with anyway, the same wide opening ones they will then use to open up a car like a tin of beans.

I expect that they would only be looking to remove enough wood to administer first aid or extract a casualty. Lifting large trunks etc may possibly be done with large air bags to give just enough room to get to or remove a casualty as well as making a safe working environment for the firefighters. These are scenarios no doubt they are already well trained and versed in. I certainly can't recall any bad press because a firefighter didn't have a chainsaw or couldn't use one.

If it's just a tree fallen on a road for example then there is no genuine urgency to it. It's an inconvenience and the fire brigade or other emergency service or local authority should close the road and call out the on call tree surgeon to deal as necessary.

I suspect they are probably competent and equipped to deal as they are.

Ah , surely the best bit of this thread is the endless argument and jibes it instigates. Always a chuckle to read.....

I have an ifor 12x6 tipper with high sides. Has the 8 foot ramps under the tipper.

Takes a load very well and tows nicely. The tipper is strong too.

I had a custom cover made that goes over the top and extends down the high sides so it can also be used for chipping into without dust and chip escaping.

My only real issue is its a big trailer and accessing some driveways or trying to find somewhere to park it on or near site can be tricky or simply a non starter.

Cant fault the build quality.

I agree. Remove and replace. It will look awful reduced.

Have the stump ground out , improve the soil and plant something in its place that you can train to the size and shape you want and is right for the space so if you wish you can look after yourself in the future.

Only used the stihl which was a decent enough saw. My only observation about the 2511 and other echo top handles is the build quality / robustness. I've seen several with missing covers leaving exposed wiring and when the 2511 launched there were pictures of people drilling the plastics to cable tie them on to prevent this. Personally that puts me off buying one although I can't comment on cutting performance as I haven't used an echo top handle.

I do rate some of their ground saws as I like their simplicity and lack of auto tune or equivalent.

Always hard to tell from photos and you will always get a mixed response. From the pics probably yes, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't order a boom as its you inspecting it and you climbing it.

I've been in a similar situation quoting on a large larch next to a house that showed accelerating signs of decay, quite possibly phytophthora. It required a 30 metre lift and that was about £800 quid for the day. The customer concerned was driven by price and obtaining the cheapest quote. She found someone who climbed and dismantled it. Did they get lucky or was it not as decayed as suspected ? I won't know. The main thing is you need to feel comfortable doing it. If you don't and they will suck up the added cost crack on with the boom. Don't risk what you aren't comfortable with.

I hope the comments are of some use. Best of luck and let us know the outcome.

In relation to phcb92 comments about inspecting post incident;

Someone removed the decay from the tree after it fell described as "with surgical precision" during the court case and reported in the local paper. I believe this prevented much analysis of it.

The main argument revolved around whether the LA furnished the contractor with the appropriate maps to survey this tree and if it was indeed surveyed or not.

In any case the outcome was that the LA's cycle of inspection was inadequate regardless of of if the tree was or wasn't inspected /inspected adequately so the buck stops with them.

The plaintiff was the only party on the bus as I understand it so no one else will be coming forward for compensation etc.

Interesting case and certainly will cause many LA's to revisit their policies and survey schedules no doubt.

Sithl ms200t / 200tc. Best small ground saws ever made ;p.

Have a look through the YouTube channel from the chainsaw guy. Seem to remember him refurbishing large bars and doing it on a machine. Might be useful. He's pretty skilful at it.

Yeah it looks rubbish....

Yeah it's not the best for the tree in the long run

But it's business. I agree that you can advise a customer as best you can about their tree but if they want it reduced to a hat stand, well it's their tree and its business so the job gets done. No you won't drive past it and admire your skilful reduction work but you will soon be on to a customer who does want that.

Some people just don't see or value trees the same way and as professionally as you can be you advise them it won't make any difference. I wouldn't turn the work away though.

Not used the 661 or 390/395 but I love my 660 that I use a 36" bar on. Prefer it to using the 880 as it's less cumbersome. Also have a mint 064 that I usually run on a 20" and sometimes a 25" bar. Peach of a saw. I'm hoping they last well as I prefer them to the newer saws. That said the 441 has been great.

Both Husqvarna and stihl seem less reliable with more electronics. Go for whichever you have a better dealer back up on. Most shops around my way are dropping or cutting back on husqvarna sales because they simply have less margin in the sale.

Skylotec is a good harness. They all have pros and cons. Good fit is the key. Can't speak for other dealers but honey brothers will let you try the harness from a rope they have set up in one of the stores at the shop.

Stihl for me as well. I think they hold an edge better and get a few more sharpens out of them compared to oregon.

Amazon's are just a fantastic vehicle. Ultra reliable.

The Amazon every time. Stuff the fuel costs.

What an epic load of junk .....

I know someone who bought a couple. First one was left over from the euro tunnel excavations.

Horrid to drive, woefully slow although carried a decent weight on the back.

No idea how available parts are. I wouldn't buy one but each to their own.

Thanks fastrac. So are toyota able to issue a new plate for a fee ?

Is this across all their network or just your local dealer ?

My 3 litre manual tows a 12x6 ifor tipper without any issues.

Can anyone say what's involved in getting them plated to 3.5 from 2.8 tonnes. ?

Are any modifications required ?

Never have had a convincing definitive answer as to why these pick ups are not rated to 3.5 in the first place.

Well at least Mr Bolam didn't waste any.........