Svts

Out of interest how do these machines stack up against tractor based forwarding? Are they viable on piece rate lowland estate work (predominately hardwood thins and clear fell). Currently battling a very wet autumn and a wood with very poor extraction routes. Basically earth on top of the natural layer of limestone as Natural England are sniffy about putting any stone inside the gate. Something really light would be great but would need to cut it on piece rate to get any work. Any thoughts you users could share?

Self preservation and effective personal analysis and responsibility! That is a fantastic phrase. Those qualities went out the window donkeys years ago. When the wholesale adoption of the nptc idiots guide became the standard to measure yourself by. HSE and large company compliance procedures ensure that we have rules designed to keep people that shouldn't be in the job safe from hurting themselves. Backed up by the insurance people. When will the AA start looking into why the training industry is such a mess. This is just another rule to stop the lowest common denominator from hurting themselves.

I think that's been hanging around ebay for a while. For a little bit more you could set up with a mid 90s tractor and trailer crane. Much more nimble in the wood and far better manners on the road. And spare parts should be far easier to source. I sometimes get a County itch but would only want it for winching.

Hmmm. Indeed an interesting article al on the beeb regards Romanian timber industry. Tried to link it but failed.

Climber required on occasional basis as usual chap is emigrating. Experienced well equipped outfit. If interested in mixing it up with a bit of handcutting we could keep you busy. 07900243572 for more info. Thanks

I stick 46 in all my machines so that's no bother.

Thanks for that. Pretty similar to what I was hoping to do. Agree its not a cheap solution once all the bits are sourced. But should be a lot more flexible to use and not run the tractor hours up unnecessarily. Thanks for getting back that's very helpful.

That's a tidy job. Just looking into doing this myself to save tying up a tractor. Any chance you could give details of the engine size etc? Looking at a 24hp Honda to drive it so hopefully enough flow for a decent ram speed.

Any further feedback on these a few years on. Are they holding up well?

Based near Bath and working throughout the South West. Mainly hardwoods and the occasional softwood job. Currently working near Bath on an Ash thin/clear fell job. Usual certs required but would consider a less experienced op looking to build experience. 07900243572 will reach me. Thanks

Okee dokee. Perhaps there's a reason I generally work alone nowadays ?. Just seems to be putting the cart before the horse. Spending money on what might be a perfectly usable winch to be compliant with legislation that possibly doesn't apply to it, only for it to be used by someone who seems lacking in basic knowledge of the machine. Apologies if it seems I'm knocking the bloke. That's not my intension, just giving a point of view based on information given. Each to there own I'll bow out now graciously. Cheers.

Fair enough if want you want to spend money to scrap what might be a perfectly good cable. Wouldn't want to buy a new rope every year as they last for many years if treated well. However if the OP is needing to ask such questions should he really be in such a position of responsibility? Let alone let loose with the gear. Inexperience and or experienced but complacent ops only ever drive up accident rates and premiums.

If your crane fails and you get hurt you couldn't of been operating it from the approved position within the protective structure or you guarding is defective(puwer). Loler is only good at the point of inspection it comes down to the operator to confirm its fitness for work before using on the day. And using it within its limits. As timber has no label giving its weight and the terrain can vary greatly not sure it can be an exact science like regular crane operation. I find the what if, what if, what if thing annoying. Competency, experience and a sensible attitude to matainance and operation should ensure you'll go home at the end of the day in one piece. No amount of box ticking and scaremongering from insurers backed up by trainers churning out poorly trained operators will change that.

Not sure insurance would accept an agri fitters cable inspection. That's if it is really necessary at all depending on application. Puwer records should suffice if used for its intended purpose. If breaking cables are a problem then the gear is either shagged or being used outside of its limits. Competency and experience when planning and executing work more of an issue maybe.

My understanding is forwarder cranes are exempt if used for its intended purpose. Lifting timber in the wood and stacking roadside. The operator should be in inside a protective structure and no other persons should be inside the clearly marked exclusion zone. It's only outside of this scenario that the waters get muddy. Arb work could be considered outside of this intended use. Interesting point about winches once but plate is lifted. Never had a loler cert for a three point link. However competency and training comes into play here and not putting yourself in harms way. Puwer is still applicable so equipment should be good order anyhow.

We used to get the purple plugs on the rail. Rail ones were blue at one time not sure why it changed. They defo look genuine to me but may of found there way onto ebay by some nefarious route!

Before i got a chipper, i often did this, worth getting a rope or two under the whole lot, so you can roll it all off in a oner! This brings back some memories ! We used to stack it up nice and high. Old boss was of old farm stock so it was done in similar fashion to building a rick. One man forking it up and one stacking. Would get a good 12 to 15 foot high flying hedge(as we called it) on a old Bedford tk flat bed. Rope set underneath at the start. Then rolled off in a oner with Fordson and Boughton at a local pig farmer who used it to boil his swill. Early 80s fun !

Yes i can understand keeping the older saws in use. I've been keeping the 361's going a good few years past there sell by date now. Did message you about getting them zipped up a bit. But started using the 461 for much of my work and not sure I want to go back to the 60cc saws. Got a bit of time to mull it over as skint for the moment !

Yes 461 has proved to be a solid saw. There is a tidy looking used one fairly local on the bay for 450 which seems tempting. But the weight saving might swing it as don't need to use it at max bar length. Will have to wait a bit longer now as other breakdowns have knackered cashflow.

Yes I drop down to 550xp if on smaller stuff. Seem to be cutting more Ash with a good smattering of chunkier stuff amongst it. Used to step up to 361 but they've all got old now. So gave the 461 a go and found the extra grunt and a slightly longer bar than I would've used made up for the extra weight. Was going to go 560xp but 462 would mean one roll of chain would do all my saws and bars would be interchangeable. Thanks for your thoughts

Anybody any experience of the above saws. 461 has been my felling saw of choice for a few years now. would like to upgrade to the 462 when funds allow. Other than the weight saving how do they compare performance wise. Thanks

I bought the wedge pouch not realising it was designed for using on the specific belt. Had to shave a bit off the leather belt i use to get it to fit. Its been solid and not come adrift in over two weeks of use and abuse so far. well designed and easy to use. Would recommend to any handcutters out there.

Completely agree regarding domestic work. However the fragmented training system (that is generally in my experience administered by the very people running the businesses delivering it) is partly responsible the situation. A truly independent training route that doesn't use private businesses to deliver it would be a start. They sell a route into the job that doesn't represent a true picture of day to day realities both physical and mental. If there was a different setup at the top it could lead to an affordable apprenticeship style lifelong learning curve. Instead of the wham bam off you go short course nonsense. But if they can keep putting bums on short course seats then the training gravy train will roll on ?

This is one of the problems with today's arb industry. Very few people are prepared to commit a few years to learning the trade. A few short courses and they expect a skilled rate. When they struggle to earn it it its either buy a tipper and chipper, move into utility's or move on to something else entirely. Without any depth of knowledge behind them they take on work they aren't able to do. Then resort to a subby climber to get them out of trouble. The idea of an at best semi skilled climber with very little experience in the rescue climber role turns a good idea into a farce. Yet it is repeated across the industry day in day out. There is no such thing as a "mini apprenticeship". Until the trade stops using the Nptc route as the standard it won't improve. Trainers making very good livings delivering poor "short courses" will never be a substitute for real skills obtained through experience. Would some sort of industry wide log book be a realistic way of raising standards ? Apologies for the pessimistic tone but it's something I've witnessed with increasing regularity over the last ten or so years. Hand in hand with properly skilled climbers and cutters becoming increasingly scarce.

Its a 6 cylinder valmet with botex. Used to do a fair bit of rail so went roofmount as used to stick a tp crane fed chipper on the back so was more versatile. Would rather trailer crane now but it's bought and paid for so hey ho.