dan blocker

Andy, I think your missing out the important comparisons? Most of the Arbs on here started at the bottom at various stages of their working life. They would of worked for next to nothing, and had living costs and by the time the weekend was out they were probably skint. As their skill level increased along with qualifications( don’t know what training you’ve had for your mill and processor but I can guess) all these qualifications cost( some would of had some help from the government and employers) some would of earn’t sweet Fanny Adams when they were training. As their career went on the money went up and also their costs - cars, women, rent, mortgages etc, this meant very few people could save much money to buy kit and set themselves up to make the leap and go on their own. When they finally made the leap of faith they may or may not of had a truck and possibly a trailer. As for a chipper - don’t require one of those? I’ll just slash it down in the back of a trailer with the chainsaw so I can get more on. Finally can’t put it off any longer a chipper is required to get the lot on and cut down the journeys! How the hell will I afford one of those? They’re more than my truck, I’m barely making a living, I’ll have to have one on finance. Then someone says the jobs yours “can you show us your Public Liability Ins and employers insurance certs” before you start and your kits failed loler or gone out of date - more expense. Want some new tyres on the truck, the old Stihl 260 won’t star cos it’s knackered. The whole mary go round with a big millstone around the neck as started🤔 do you see where I’m going Andy? You Andy have a regular well paid job in a lucrative industry, being paid well for not many days of your time. You’ve probably bought your mill, processors and saws for cash, ie, no finance. As you’ve previously said with your mantels” pay the price, they can take it or leave it, I’m not too bothered” No , because it’s not your livelihood is it, you’ve started out in your second career( almost a hobby?) without having to make a living from it. There’s no risk to doing what your doing. You can buy in the timber to suit the orders you’ve got. Blokes on here have worked long hours in all weathers to run their business, laid out an awful lot of money in some case and taken big risks, they’ve speculated, put their neck on the line and it could all come to a grinding halt tomorrow when the work slows down or stops or they have an injury or illness, you Andy can just stick your kit on Arb trader and find another hobby that could turn out lucrative🤔. Sorry it’s long winded if I could of said it in two words I would of!

Fair play for being up front but a quick calc and your prices don’t quite add up? Unless your only charging £100 for yourself and everything that comes with you?

Because what you asked is what’s classed as ‘Commercial in Confidence’, what you got was a straightforward, honest and to the point answer - that’s what you get from some on this forum. Why would anyone disclose what they pay, what they charge, cos one things for sure they certainly won’t be making the same money for themselves every day. You win some, you loose some and every days a school day. I’ve never had two jobs the same and as far as pricing goes I very often feel I’d be better off throwing a load of bones in the air and see how they land and come up with a price.

No doubt about it the Grenadier looks a well capable truck with proven engine, gearbox and other components. I presume you’ve been in one but was that as a driver or being driven? What sort of trailer work as been done with them?

Think you’ve already got the ideal vehicle for the job. It’ll prove to be more reliable than the new so called defender and won’t depreciate any more if looked after. The new defender is a nice truck to drive but mechanically they’re a disaster. Lots have been recalled due to turbo problems ( made in china 😳), broken cranks( made in china). The only way to run one is keep it in warranty then get rid.

He’s done well to get out on the tips without breaking and ripping branches. Considering most of the larger growth is some where near vertical its no surprise the larger cuts were on the top. Not quite sure how you can see the target cuts cos I can’t magnify it enough to see any detail. I think the chaps done a reasonable job considering it’s a scabby sycamore and a waste of time( as Mick says) cos in 3/5 years nobody will know any things been done to it and it certainly won’t stand repeat reductions. Those 3/4 main stems are probably off a 3 cut prune stump done 35 years approx ago and this is probably what it wants again?

They require landowner permission to install anything on private land. Just remember to put on an old chain when felling the pole as that creosote can really foul up a good one🤔.

My mate was killed in Afghanistan and out of all of the military charities(and there are quite a few- some questionable ?) his wife and 3 kid’s received more help from the British Legion than the rest put together. Most workers at the sharp end particularly raising money are all unpaid volunteers, I’m not bothered if the CE is highly paid they do a lot of good.

Is the government not considering removing private schools charitable status?

As far as I’m aware sawing / splitting logs for resale as never been a agricultural/ forestry activity and therefore should always of been white diesel but I could of course be wrong?

If you go on the local planning portal it should be straight forward to bring up the map showing conservation areas and TPO’d trees/ clusters of trees. If he’s willing to pay any fines and is that “minted” ask for a £30,000 returnable deposit to cover any potential fine and costs😳. I generally find any body with more front than Selfridges is full of shit. No job is worth your reputation and if you are taken to court the details will keep coming up on Google for the world to see for the foreseeable future.

That looks like a nice compact machine and in good condition. Good buy👍

With the operative word here being “most” best to check the small print just in case.

Sounds like a proper charity👍. Not a business like lots of others are?

50 on a single carriageway.

I’m pretty sure material and labour isn’t zero rated? You pay the vat on materials and vat registered sub contractors/ trades etc then claim it back at the end. If you can build a new building separate to your existing and on a different footprint it should be classed as a new build and vat can be reclaimed. Rebuild on the footprint and that could be classed as renovation or a rebuild and may not be vat refundable. Best to get this confirmed before the demolition ball moves in🤔. What people used to do was re-claim the vat to pay for your kitchen units and bathroom suite.

Got my attention when someone mentioned suspenders😳

At least 2 x well placed towers I find is best as it cuts down the amount shadows.

Could you not fire a line to the area of the stem you want to ascend to with a big shot(assuming there’s some branches/ unions on the top to stop your climbing rope rolling/ slipping down?) and ascend directly to where you want to go. It’ll be easier to descend using slings as foot holds then.

Another one for neoprene. Try the fishing shops and online.

Bought one from machine mart which was reduced in price because it had been returned? Looked as new in a box. A few years later I noticed it dropped very slowly when loaded😫. Suckered! Too late to return it myself. My suggestion is buy new.

Surprised your moving it on Mick, when I see your videos I get extreme kit envy. You’ll have to take on a few more blokes to replace that😳

Foxy, one of your posts says you sell splitters? Then you go on to say you sell processors - which is it🤔

Because of the problem for land owners to manage tees next to rail lines are Network Rail not responsible for dangerous/ dead/ problem trees adjacent to the network that could fall onto their property? I’m not 100% sure but heard it many moons ago🤔