Jamie Jones

Planning for the Businesses Future is Concerning Me Where Work Vehicles are Concerned... I currently run my Grounds Maintenance and Tree Surgery Business with a Pick-Up truck (Ford Ranger 3.2l) and a tipping trailer. But to build the business I have been thinking, do I add a more dedicated Arb Truck that would be more suitable for both side of the business? But there is now a big problem in that new commercial vehicles are becoming unfit for purpose now? 1) Transit Vans have no towing or load capacity unless you go for really big versions. 2) Pick-Up Trucks engines have reduced in size and are becoming unsustainable. 3) The likes of the Mitsubishi L200 and the Nissan Navara have stopped bringing vehicles into the country because emissions have strangled their engines, and they don't have a viable alternative. 4) For bigger commercial vehicles like the 3.5t Nissan NV400 Cabstar are in the same position where they have also had to pull out of supplying UK markets because they can't make an engine that is feasible to be able to meet emissions. This is not leaving much scope as manufacturers are ditching the UK market for supplying suitable Vehicles to. I think that it could be hard times ahead running a business when politicians are legislating viable options unviable.

OK as the Original Poster... I am looking at the Distel Spikes... But I have Questions as to what people find best for all around use: 1) Spikes: Long or Short? 2) Upper Calf attachment: Valcro or Click Buckles? 3) Lower Boot Attachment Straps? Valcro or Leather Straps & Buckles?

You are correct that is the left leg.

Padding is on the shin with bare strap around the calf. but it is getting me worse in the arch of the bottom of my feet

The one I have are on the back of my calf’s and just over half way up my leg

The only adjustment is how tight you can get them on your feet

I have been climbing for a while now using Treehog climbing spikes. I find them very uncomfortable both to the soles of my feet and shins even with a good sturdy chainsaw boot. I was therefore wondering if anyone has found out what is the most comfortable climbing spikes to use?

went for 3/8" but with the Tsumura bars, it is on 0.63” gauge as opposed to 0.58” like most husky bars

In response to a few questions raised with regards to: 1) No I did not pay any extra, over and above what I paid. 2) When I originally paid for the chainsaw, the dealer did say that the price may differ slightly when Husquvarna delivers the Chainsaw, and the dealer was working on a perceived price. 3) As Husqvarna could not supply any 592xp units with bars and chains, the dealer had to get the 592xp in on a whole new order because Husquvarna won't alter his original order. 4) I was always going to swap out the bar for a 36" bars anyway. So I was not that bothered about if it came with a bar or not. 5) Re: Should I get a refund / discount for not getting the bar? Really not bothered about that because I have a very good relationship with my local dealer, and what goes around comes around. I am sure that neither party will lose out in the long run. As he has looked after me on many purchases. 6) The amount of time and costs he has spent chasing Husquvarna over the past year will far out weigh the small difference.

You should be able to... Apparently Husky had 5x 592xp body only units siting in their warehouse. My dealer got the impression that none of the dealers had ordered body only units... Husky can't supply bars at the moment.

I have kindly been supplied a Panther Chain .325 mini, from Chainsawbars.co.uk to see how I get on with that instead of the Husky chain... So I will see how I get on with that.

It was this time last year (August 2021) that Husqvarna announced that dealers could order the new Husqvarna 592xp 92cc Petrol Chainsaw with delivery to be in September 2021. So I ordered and paid for my mythical 592xp with a 28" bar.... But, Husquvarna continually failed to deliver it. Over the past year, my Husky dealer has failed to get any sense or straight answers out of Husquvarna as to when we might see my 592xp. Most of the time the dealer can't even get to talk to anyone at Husquvarna. But strangely, my dealer managed to get through to an actual person and found out that Husquvarna had 592xp body-only units sitting on the shelf. But they can't supply any Husquvarna bars to go with the saw. So despite having a number of 592xp's on order the dealer had to order a body-only unit. So today, after a full year of waiting, the mythical Husquvarna 592xp (body unit) actually turned up at the dealers for me to collect. If I am correct this might be the first customer 592xp delivered to a dealer for a customer. So a big thank you to Tom, my local Husquvarna dealer in sleepy Llandrindod Wells; 'Toms Mowers and Garden Supplies' for putting up with me asking every week, 'Is it here yet? @https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057266417894 Also a big thank you to ChainsawBars.co.uk for the 36" Tsumura Light Type Bar and Oregon Chain..

Sweep Stake Over.... the mythical Husquvarna 592xp turned up after a year of waiting for Husquvarna to deliver it.... It was this time last year (August 2021) that Husqvarna announced that dealers could order the new Husqvarna 592xp 92cc Petrol Chainsaw with delivery to be in September 2021. So I ordered and paid for my mythical 592xp with a 28" bar.... But, Husquvarna continually failed to deliver it. Over the past year, my Husky dealer has failed to get any sense or straight answers out of Husquvarna as to when we might see my 592xp. Most of the time the dealer can't even get to talk to anyone at Husquvarna. But strangely, my dealer managed to get through to an actual person and found out that Husquvarna had 592xp body-only units sitting on the shelf. But they can't supply any Husquvarna bars to go with the saw. So despite having a number of 592xp's on order the dealer had to order a body-only unit. So today, after a full year of waiting, the mythical Husquvarna 592xp (body unit) actually turned up at the dealers for me to collect. If I am correct this might be the first customer 592xp delivered to a dealer for a customer. So a big thank you to Tom, my local Husquvarna dealer in sleepy Llandrindod Wells; 'Toms Mowers and Garden Supplies' for putting up with me asking every week, 'Is it here yet? @https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057266417894 Also a big thank you to ChainsawBars.co.uk for the 36" Tsumura Light Type Bar and Oregon Chain..

I would have thought the same as you. But I can sharpen all my other chains 3/8”, 3/8”P, and 1/4” without any issue.. But I am just struggling like hell with the .325 mini semi chisel and the .325 semi chisel.

It comes with xcut.325 mini chain as standard

This year I purchased the Husqvarna T540 MkII TopHandle Chainsaw.. I really like the performance of the chainsaw. But I do have an issue with the chain setup that it comes with. The Chain is Husqvarna's X-Cut SP21G .325 59dl for a 14”/35cm bar, .043” Gauge 1.1mmSemi-Chisel...... The issue I have is when the chain is brand new it cuts great. But I struggle to get a good cut when I have sharpened it. I have tried a number of times and used different sharpeners, and I still can't get a good sharp chain. - I have used the Husky kit, and that was the worst sharpen I have had. - I have also tried a stihl 2in1 Sharpener and only got an ok sharpen, but it was nothing like when it was a fresh chain. - I have also tried an oregon sharpening kit, and that was no different. I seem to be able to sharpen all my other chainsaw chains without a problem. But I can't get a decent sharpen on the .325 micro simichisel chain, even when I am measuring every tooth with vernier calipers to ensure that they are all perfectly sized. I was therefore wondering how other T540 MkII users are getting on with sharpening their chains and what you are using. Or is there any options for changing the chain and sprockets to a different chain size?

The Echo 2511 is very impressive little chainsaw that is so light. I have been very impress with it and that's running 3/8P chain on it... In fact I am so impressed with it I find the echo 360 underwhelming in comparison. So I have updated the 360 with a Husky 540 mk2 top handle chainsaw...

Well.... On checking my accounts the invoice for the Husqvarna 592xp was dated the 29/7/2022. On the understanding that Husqvarna UK had announced it would be delivered to dealers in September 2021. The invoice was paid last August (2021). So we are now coming up to the one year from invoice stage and almost a 1x year of paying for it. The dealer has checked on the ordering system and it is still not being shown as becoming available and they can't even get an answer out of Husqvarna UK as to when it will be delivered. I do feel sorry for my local dealer, as I know that they struggle to get any sort of sensible responses out of Husqvarna UK all aspects of their dealings. The Husqvarna Sales Rep for our area has also left the company because of the lack of ability from Husqvarna UK to deal with it's dealers and he could not it take any more. It would seem that Husqvarna UK is struggling to function on many levels. For us as end users it does make me wonder if Husqvarna UK will survive as a business in the professional market place at this rate. (Just to be fair, I know that Stihl UK have had supply issue over the last year or so. But in fairness to Stihl, they have been getting supplies through to dealers on regular shipments. I do know this to be true because I have been forced to by some stihl items because I could not wait any longer for Husky to supply equipment).

Ok. How do you get the retaining ‘C’ clip off the recessed washer that holds the chains drive sprocket on the clutch on a Stihl MS500i ? The retaining ‘C’ clip won’t pop off when levered with a Stihl screwdriver because it sits in side the recessed washer. Two Stihl screwdrivers have wrecked their blades tring to get the retaining clip off. Any advice.

I have been well impressed with the Husquvana 540t mk2 top handle

Well.... It's 10x months since I paid for the Husqvarna 592xp Chainsaw that Husqvarna announce in the UK last August (2021) on the understanding it would be delivered in September 2021. After 10x Months of waiting for it to be delivered, I have still not received it and there is no delivery date on the horizon. Will it get to a full year of waiting or more?

If you are getting a pick-up Tipper I would say go for the Toyota Hilux for a Ford Ranger 3.2.. IMHO I would steer clear of the smaller engined Pick-Ups like the 1.9 Izusu and Mitsubishi or the Nissan 2.3. As I don't see the smaller engined vehicles lasting the course over the years you might want to run them. My 2.5 Izusu had to be off loaded after 3x years...

Jacob has worked for me in Mid Wales, and I can vouch that he has been a good worker. He has undertaken a good mix of work with me and another tree surgeon: Grounds Maintenance (Commercial Mowing on a Scag V-Ride, Strimming) Hedge Cutting Groundsman for Tree Work Using a Greenmech Evo165D chipper. He has the following tickets: Emergency First Aid + F module (Critical Bleed) Chainsaw CS30 - Maintenance & Crosscutting Chainsaw CS31 - Felling upto 380mm Climbing and Aerial Rescue So if you need someone for your team, he would be a good person to bring in and help him build his career.

I am after some advice on which Stump Grinder would be best for my Small Business (Grounds Maintenance and Tree Surgery). The problem: When I have to collect a Stump Grinder from a hire company it takes 1/2 a day to go and collect it, and another 1/2 a day to return it. So you end up with 2-3 days hire for 1x days income. So this is a service I don't push because it interferes with undertaking other work. So I was wondering if this should be a new piece of kit to expand the business's range of services. I have been looking at the following and these are my thoughts: Brands: I have been looking mainly at the Preditor, although I have used a couple of Torro machines. Question 1: So advice from people on what they find good and bad about brands would be helpful. Size of Machine: 1) Predator 360 Stump Grinder or Toro SGR-13 Stump Grinder / I thought that maybe it's ok for small job, but would it be painful on a bigger job and would I out grow it before really get started? 2) Predator 460 Stump Grinder / I thought that maybe it's a better starting point for the smaller job that could do the occasional bigger job. Still good for narrow access. But would you out grow this machine too quickly? 3) Predator 38X Tracked Manual Stump Grinder or Toro STX-26 Stump Grinder or Toro STX-38 Stump Grinder / But then I thought do you just go for a bigger tracked Stump Grinder like this as a starting point? This will obviously be in a much higher price bracket, knowing that you might just cover your costs initially without much return, until you can build the business up in the longer term. Question 2: So I would be most grateful for advice from people who have been in this quandary as to where to start with machine size. Question 3: The machine size might change the pricing that you charge, along with the volume of work that you can undertake that might change the view on what you would choose to buy. So advice on job pricing with the different sized machines would be helpful? All advice is most welcome...

Well the UK is still waiting on the 592xp😡 It has only been nine months (Almost 10 months) since paying for the 592xp After Husky stated dealers could order them and they should be delivered within a month.🥵 Shockingly bad customer relations from Husqvarna UK