Jamie Jones

A big Thank You to Shavey for the Delivery of another Dolmar PS-6100... I was so impressed with the first one that I thought it would be good to have another to add to my collection. As the PS-6100 is my go to chainsaw. I really rate the Dolmar's...

If you are going to use an electric chain grinder then get a good quality solid metal one. If you don't then you chain sharpening will be rubbish and will leave you uneven teeth, this will give you a rubbish cut... I would suggest that you get an Oregon 620 or a 520 grinder...

I don't get it, I though voting Boris in was about making Britain Great Again and creating jobs for the people of the UK and not out sourcing everything to China

Anyone Insured with Trust Insurance and had to make a claim.. How did it go?

With this years insurance cover doubling from the previous year and a massive increase from the year before. I have: - Third Party Cover - Employers Cover - Tools Cover I was wondering if you have had a reason to make a claim.. How did it go: Did they pay out? How did the claim process go? You you think that it was reasonably dealt with or not in your opinion? How long did it take to resolve? Any other comments you could make would be helpful? Who was you insured with? One of the main reasons for asking if an unfortunate event happened I was wondering if the insurance was proactive> - Third Party Cover - Were they good at sorting things out? - Employers Cover - Were they good at sorting things out in looking after the employee? - Tools Cover - Were they good at getting you back working in replacing equipment to minimise down time and loss of business due to not being able to work?

Thanks Bill Doing some rough timings with the iPhone stopwatch.... the Echo TS2511CS 25cc Chainsaw was averaging between 7.2 to 7.8 second. with a clearer run at the log. The Makita was running at about 4.1 to 4.4 seconds and you was having to roll it a bit to cut it. So I would have a stab in the dark and say that the Makita 36v equates to a 30cc to a 35cc saw in engine size. So that is not a bad chainsaw to be fair for taking the limbs off a stem.... But the real test will be chugging down a stem with some weight pressing down on the chain and bar... One thing I have noticed is that Battery Chainsaws run on revs and not torque. Put them under load and they struggle. Any chance you could do a test chugging down a 8-10" stem with some weight pressing down on the chain and bar?

Can anyone tell me what the comparable petrol engine cc the HUSQVARNA T536 36v is the equivalent to? 20cc, 25cc, 30cc 35cc?

Hi Paul Thank you for the update reply.... Are we allowed to know how the meeting went and how the points we have raised were taken on board by the HSE and if they actually understood the realities of the job and accepted that we need to operate differently. Or is there still battles to be had?

Thank you for the update.. Followed the link and it only goes to an update... Is there a link to the updated version of ICOP?

I watched this youtube video of it against the Husky 36v and it was slightly quicker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p7r9iAMn5g

My Local builders merchant is getting the Makita: DUC256 - 3/8th chain on a 10" bar DUC306 - 3/8th chain on a 12" bar In at the end of the week.... Not sure I could live with a blue Chainsaw? I would much prefer a Dolmar AS4030Z in orange? A shout out to Andrew 'Shavey' Are you doing the new Dolmar AS4030z 36v Top Handle Chainsaw (The 36v is made up from 2x 18v) - (The AS4030z is body, 14” Bar & 3/8” Chain, without batteries and charger).

Not sure myself.... It will cost you a fortune to be fully certified with AA. And there will always be people who won't be registered with AA. As for not being able to buying a chainsaw unless you are... Will never happen because sales will drop massively and the cost of a chainsaw will rise massively, possible 10 fold. They even sell top handle chainsaws at my local builders merchants.

It is now on the Makita UK webpage so I guess it is now available in the UK as well. They are doing two models DUC256 - 3/8th chain on a 10" bar DUC306 - 3/8th chain on a 12" bar I don't know if there is any difference in power between the two. I am guessing it is just different bar lengths. It would be good to know what it is comparable to in a petrol top handle saw: 25cc, 30cc or 36cc and how it stacks up under load compared to a petrol saw for torque . The Dolmar version is called the AS4030 I would be very interested in how you get a long with it...

Hi Paul I think it might benefit you to actually read some of the responses from this consultation to the H&S HSE.. A few considered postings like mine and others. And then say... to put it in perspective ...... And then read out Rich Rule's Post.... And ask then how that would work?

Hi Paul Thank you for keeping everyone informed as to what is happening. I have been avidly watching this. There are a few key points that I think has to be put across to the H&S Exec. 1) Trees are not like empty steel framed buildings and other construction site frameworks that the working at height regulations were originally designed for. Trees are often complexed environments. 2) The equipment used in trees is very different to the equipment that is used for construction and therefore you need to have a different approach. Construction site worker are not trying to manoeuvre chainsaws with big cutting bars. They are mostly installing stuff with nuts, bolts screws etc using the liked of impact guns and wrenches. 3) While no one would disagree that some trees allow plenty of space for two rope and flip-line working there are plenty of trees that do not easily allow for this easily. 4) Two ropes (Plus Flip-line) increases the ability to get equipment tangled up and cause greater problems in movement and accessibility. 5) Taking point 4 into consider action you the have the added fatigue you are putting on the climber. 6) The more equipment, IE Ropes, Flip Lines, Devices etc that is in front of you the harder it can be to manoeuvre a chainsaw safely and the more increased risk there is of the chainsaw cutting something that you don't want it to cut (Safety equipment). This is a key aspect that the construction industry is not facing and if I am correct they do all the cutting on a safe surface. ie the Ground or an elevated floor level. 7) As all this is probably being discussed in office environments with people who probably have never undertaken this work. I think that it would be beneficially for the H&E department team to actually see this in a practical environment of a tree that would be very difficult to facility two rope working and also a tree where a big heavy chainsaw and longer bar would need to be used. As then they will really see how difficult and possibly more dangerous it can be to increase the amount of equipment (Ropes, Flip Lines, Devices etc) that is obstructing the task from happening. It would even be more beneficial to set them up in the situation and see if they can manoeuvre a big chainsaw. Because until they try it they will never know what it is like to do the task. I should point out that I am fairly new to Arb climbing and I have no that long ago passed my Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue ticket. Although I used to rock climb. I have had a bash with two rope & flip-line climbing... I have done a very little chainsaw in a tree work (Only when supervised and under instruction to get an understanding and some basic experience). I am only just about to do my chainsaw in a tree tickets which will have to be done on the two rope system. But watching a more experienced climber from the ground it is evident that in a number of situations the addition equipment would be more of a problem than a benefit. I am know that there are many people with far more experience than me that can also raise other issues on this now system. But I hope that I can communicate it clearly.

It is down to equipment theft from vehicles increasing greatly.... as the police don't follow it up I guess. Plus increased accidents in Arb / Chainsaw work.

Just renewed my insurance for the year... ? It has basically doubled for Equipment, Public & Employer Liability... Two Rope Climbing was mention and you have to comply as per ICOP. Does anyone know when ICOP will be finalised?

Gone with Xero as that is what the accountant is using currently

I would argue the second point you make: “Insurance will cop out if using two ropes and not having a cert of competance to climb that way. ” This is because you have been correctly taught and qualified as a climber. You have therefore been deemed that you know what you are doing and the addition of a second rope system is simply confirming to updated legislation. Insurance can’t not cover you because you are not breaking the rules. But if you climb on a single rope system and can’t justify why and it becomes an issue. They you will run the risk of not having the insurance cover you. This is why the Arb Assoc have to get this right in the ICOP because trees differ to such an extent that there are times when two ropes pose more of a problem than climbing on a single rope. Especially when you start using a chainsaw. In a basic theory it is possible to achieve this all the time. But the reality of tree work is that every situation is different and there are a number of times when it isn’t. As mention before if you injured a hand it will make a rapid self Rescue far more difficult. If there is a death from this aspect will that mean you (or your family) will have a good cause to bring a legal action against the Arb Associaton because their ICOP has not taken this factor into consideration?

Thank you for your comprehensive reply and for taking the time....

Sage is one of the packages that I am looking at... What problems have you had? Does it do the following: - Create Invoices - Create client statements of account - Mark off payments on account (Possibly with use of electronic bank statements) - Track overdue accounts - Monitor what the balance is of gross earn money outstanding - VAT Accounts - Stock control - Asset / Equipment depreciation. - Hold and Manage Customer Details (For accounting purposes) - Manage everything required for HMRC Self Assessment - Profit and Lose Forecasts - Business Planning - With the ability to potentially do payroll (I don't employ anyone yet)

Thank you for your quick reply and considered response.. - Re: VAT inspection... I have had a number to date and I have been fairly chilled about it because I knew everything was straight.... The Last inspection lasted over two and a half years... They did 4x quarterly mini inspections instigated by different tax offices that proved pointless. Then came in for a full 6x year inspection... The guy who did the Full 6x Year inspection was very good and fair. But his bosses seem dead keen on keeping hold of money they owed me. Every argument through at me was discussed and I managed to knock it down. In the end they walked away with nothing had had to pay me money they owed me. I think the biggest problem was different offices not talking to each other a pursuing different agendas.

I was wondering what software people use for doing all their business accounts... Invoicing, Stock Management, VAT, Customer Statements and tracking of unpaid / overdue accounts? I have made a decision that I need to be far more organised this year. With a mixture of customers with a very small regular accounts or with larger accounts. In fairness the majority are good at settling their invoices but the odd invoice slips through the net with my 'manual single document per invoice' system. Out of about 290 invoices issued 2019 I have about 21 invoices that have not been settled for the year. I seem to spend a lot of time manually creating customer statements and going over bank statements retrospectively to collate information before sending the customer statements out. This is a big waste of valuable time and some thing that any business needs to be efficient at... I am there looking for an accounts package that will work on an Apple Computer System and allow me to do the following: - Create Invoices - Create client statements of account - Mark off payments on account (Possibly with use of electronic bank statements) - Track overdue accounts - VAT Accounts - Stock control - Asset / Equipment depreciation. - Hold and Manage Customer Details (For accounting purposes) - Manage everything required for HMRC Self Assessment - Profit and Lose Forecasts - Business Planning - With the ability to potentially do payroll (I don't employ anyone yet) So what accounts package are you using?

A fair comment on self rescue one handed....