Dan Maynard

At our local transfer station they will take brash, timber up to 6" or woodchip all as green waste, stumps or big lumps have to go trade waste. Not much chip goes there though, I think tree firms are either stockpiling to sell for biomass (need that yard) or tipping at farms, stables, golf courses etc. Certain fraction of customers keep the chip, running narrow access chipper up to the tree I always ask.

.. having said I was taught to put fig 8 we did also just put the drt climbing line round stem on my 39 course like Steve said so this was under instructor supervision. I just don't do it like that now (mostly) because I like the quick exit option - Hitchclimber and multisaver I can descend with one hand.

Interesting post, I have a 25" on my 461 and was thinking about getting a 20" but not sure I would actually stop and take time to change it over. Thought it might be another reason to buy that 365 I don't really need, could keep 20" on it.

I was taught running bowline and prussic is secure but you should have a fig 8 to take the friction if you descend on single line as otherwise the prussic binds up. I like that for simplicity but now also have a multisaver so if been climbing on that during dismantle just snug it up round the stem and carry on.

I think having a custom knife which sticks a bit forward but a long way to the side with a slight curve in it could be one way, although might be thought cheating.

If a tracked chipper is too much to start I suggest JoBeau M500, only 300kg, 76cm wide and drives itself up the ramps. Not got the capacity of a tracked chipper but 24hp not really a mini chipper either. I say on smaller tree and connie jobs it's no slower, and you save on dragging compared to road tow. I bought mine as a starter chipper off a bloke who bought it as a starter chipper ....

We have loads of elms both old hedge and suckers that have grown up from where there were big trees in the village 40 years ago, and I see galleries in the tops of every one I cut. So the beetles appear to be doing just fine round us, plenty of habitat.

Well done on the assessment.

Another Dutch elm question which intrigues me is why trees get to a certain age before being infected, somebody said it was when the bark cracks but I always thought it was a certain height as the beetles fly about high up?

If you're doing 30 31 now then take it you didn't go for the intensive course? I agree the assessors are trying to draw it out of you, you'll be fine. I found the first test to be worse than any other, getting used to how it all works. The tip from my training centre was to actually read the schedule a few days before the test, that way stuff like bird nests, red squirrels and bats are in your brain somewhere to be pulled out - last minute it all turns to panic. Worked for me is all I can say.

I downloaded it from there, 20USD but the guy selling it has put work in to make it good, he also did an interview with Gerry somewhere on YouTube. I enjoyed it, worth the money.

I run 12x6 Bryan James, will fit mini chipper and about 1.5 ton chip/logs together so keeps it to one trip for most jobs. I don't think I'd want any bigger, parking driveways, turning round etc but I have filled it up so happy it's not smaller too. Maybe just wish it was a tipper... What are you going to tow it with?

I always thought pressure and evaporation was why it says in the instructions to store with the tank full but never been sure.

Did you work out where to put toothpaste (no 24)

Been using mobile site in the meantime, have now put my finger on three things I like about the app. 1. Smaller space taken per post so less scrolling 2. Going from 'All posts' list, and then several pages in to a thread you can go back to the list in one click of the arrow. On the website the direct links out take you to the different forum pages. 3. Page forward and back by side swipe.

.. and don't run without the air filter, shite sucked in will wreck saw.

Can't see in that photo, but if there is any target for it to fall on which you would want to be covered by insurance eg a house then it is worth checking your policy as the competent independent assessment may be a requirement. A friend who had a poplar fall was not covered as he had no QTRA, he didn't have any idea there was such a thing as a quantified tree risk assessment before.

I switched to top down lighting after reading the Norwegian firewood book. Works really well, have to agree.

I've just changed both propshafts on the landy, cured vibration although it did start around 35 not 60. Thing is, didn't realize just how shot the UJs were until I got them off, I mistakenly thought they were ok when checking them last but they can't have been. Thinking could be worth a really critical look and lever them about or even take off to check?

Or other thing I have suggested to people to plant honeysuckle or some other climber to grow up the things afterwards, people seem to like the idea although to be honest don't know how well it works in the long term.

This sounds right to me too, no cuts in my assessment were bigger than about 6 inch branch with snap or lift against hinge etc. I think this question in the schedule is about awareness of the risk of splitting out when cutting bigger limbs under tension, how you would manage that, not lanyard round it etc but you won't have to actually perform the cut. As the King said, CS examiners are more about working out if you know what you are doing than if you can remember the technical terms.

If you buy second hand from someone not registered? Was true for my JoBeau but sounds fishy on a £17k digger I agree.

Obviously we have no idea how big or where these are but can they be felled? Just thinking if you worked out a price for taking them out completely instead of climbing it might not be a huge amount more, client might take the option and plant something easier to manage.

I have faced a slightly similar situation in trying to get started with no experience. I also begun to do my own jobs, start very small and build up, I got Employers and Public Liability insurance from Trust as they calculated on turnover so £600 for my first year. This has gone up a lot now also with tools chipper etc insured but they were very good when my trailer was nicked just after taking the policy. I was also warned off giving anything which can be construed as advice, you need proper arb qualifications and Professional Liability insurance for that because it might be insurance company lawyers going after you to recover cost of damage incurred. If someone asks me if a tree is safe I explain situation and recommend local firms. It's not insurance but something I did once I had 30/31 was to volunteer with the Wildlife Trust, I have by now felled hundreds of trees for them which is all good experience and also started some subcontract work with a firm through a friend of the warden. Small firms are naturally cautious about unknown people but talk to each other so the network is important.

You'll be having that trouble where you need to put a pair of glasses on to find your glasses....