Treetom15

I think the reason so many get stolen is because the police really aren’t bothered about recovering small plant equipment worth a relatively small amount. I know if a few cases where plant has been stolen, and the people/persons who had taken the equipment were known and details passed on to the police-they weren’t interested and said to claim on your insurance. Unless you get caught red handed there’s very little deterring people. I’m sure there’s plenty of outfits in the country that wouldn’t mind running a dodgy chipper🤦‍♂️ 

With all the increases at the moment (food, fuel, bills, predicted National Insurance increase) it would be absolutely crippling. I’m sure the governments answer to most will be to “just work harder”…… It’s going to be an extremely hard few years for those on the edge of their income supporting a family 

1 hour ago, Woodworks said:

Yes, many will choose a 20k+ kitchen (that will be ripped out in a few years due to fashion) over extra insulation and an efficient heating system. As you say we are greedy nation.

 

Bet you wont be using as much as 22kWh a day in a small Passive House. Good on you for going the extra mile now as it protects you in the long run

 

 

It will certainly be interesting to see how it performs in reality! We were limited on size of the build (local needs, 100sqm living space etc) so we decided to make the best we could afford. Feels expensive at the moment but if energy costs keep going up I hope it pays off. 
 

Re rising energy costs-the one thing that shocked me is the lack of funding/grants for building a house that is low energy. There is/was stuff available for renovations or replacing boilers, but now they are scrapping the RHI payments in April, so even though you are using the same stuff the government subsidise if you are retrofitting it (triple glazed windows, extra insulation, ASHP etc etc) if you fit it as standard with a new build you get no financial benefit? It’s no surprise companies don’t bother when wacking up 80 new builds on a postage stamp. 
The problem with the rising cost of everything is that it’s discouraging people from making small changes that will collectively have a big difference-using low energy bulbs, no dishwasher/tumble dryer/microwave etc, poor insulation in houses…..people who are on the cusp of this rise in living costs won’t want to spend extra on something that makes a relatively

small difference, and I don’t blame them at all

3 minutes ago, eggsarascal said:

How many kWh do you use?

I’ll have a much more accurate answer when it’s finished haha! It’s predicted to be at Passivhaus low energy standard (not full passivhaus) which I think it’s something like 22kwh? That’s just a number that’s stuck in my head though I could well be wrong-I think full passivhaus is 15, and low energy passivhaus is 30kwh

The problem is that we’re really up against it in the U.K.-we have a massive population for the size of the country, and we are also by nature very greedy with our use of energy/consumables/luxury items (it’s insane that within a few hours you can order almost anything to be delivered to your doorstep!) not that this is anyone’s fault persay, it’s just how the world works….

Myself and my family are in the process of building a small house-high insulation levels, very low energy consumption, solar PV to run an ASHP etc etc. What’s shocked me, is that the overall costs (whilst high) are not that much higher than building a “bog standard” house, so I cannot understand how we have such low standards for building in the U.K. compared to Scandinavian countries? Most contractors I spoke to said not to bother with solar & ASHP and go down the gas/oil boiler route-most new builds never have solar. 
Fracking is poisonous, a short term solution with long term repercussions. I think peoples habits & perceptions of energy usage need to be changed for there to be any sort of sustainable solution. 

I think that the way in which we use energy in this country, and the world is just unsustainable full stop. By and large, houses in this country are poorly insulated and run on non renewable fuels, whilst people have hundreds of gadgets and consumables that draw on supply’s. I think nuclear is unfortunately the cleanest way to supply it, but I think the changes really need to come from the public consciously reducing their usage

Main issue I’ve heard about them is how gaffs fit into the cutout in the arch of sole, has anyone got any feedback on that? I’m due a new pair of boots (must be protective) and I quite fancy trying them-I’ve already got done Salewa Crows I use for pruning work 

I’ve not tried them but 3 or so lads at work have-and no one rates them. I’d like a pair for pruning work etc, but I’ve got very bendy joints so I need the ankle support. I’d love to try a pair though!

+1 for new coil maybe? I’m sure on L&S engineers they’re not crazy money, just make sure you get a genuine stihl part. 

Hope the recovery goes well bud. Make sure you don’t rush back too quick, enjoy some enforced rest! 

I had my 2nd hernia repaired last September-had the first one done nearly 10 years before that when I was 19. Both of mine were either side of my groin and kept coming out when under strain (climbing, lifting etc). I found that sticky physio tape worked really well, as you can stretch it over the area and it helps provide a bit extra pressure to keep everything in. Took me 5 weeks post opp to recover well enough to work but I think I probably rushed back as it get sore now and again. If it’s coming out and getting “stuck out” though seriously take it easy, I went into hospital twice with mine getting stuck and it wasn’t particularly pleasant 🤮 

if you are able to get it fixed then don’t prolong it, they are much worst to fix the longer you leave them (from what I was told) my first never caused me much issue till the last few weeks before my opp, 2nd was much worst as COVID delayed any NHS treatment and private wasn’t an option! 

There are quite a few guys round my way (Shropshire/north Wales) that have these tickets and are able to get a good bit of work. Only one I would consider adding to that at this stage would be your wood chipper ticket-easy 1 day course and it means a potential employer would be able to have you working “legally” on the ground snedding, chipping etc. It would be worth approaching some local firms and asking if they are looking for staff-even if they’re not, they might be able to give you an idea of what they specifically would look for in terms of qualifications. As said above, if tree work is something you’d like to specialise in, your cs38 (aerial rescue) would be worth doing, but it’s a more expensive course and if you don’t want to solely do arb work it may be a waste of money? 

3 hours ago, Cuttup said:

Sorry to be so boring....😉

 

I take it most of you lads are self climbers then and not employing climbers or have you just said sod it, and decided to press on with double MEWPS and invisible lines instead?

 

It does seem like  climbing on 2 systems is a massive chew. I've never known anyone to cut through their mainline or for their main anchor to fail, but I dare say it happens. 

 

PS I'm not the HSE in-cognito, you're fantastical lines are safe with me whether they exist or not….

To be fair mate, I’m employed by a company who “insist” on using 2 rope system, however it’s not something that’s really been enforced…..In all honestly I have used 2 ropes on the odd occasion, but it’s usually just the tail of my rope with a prussik-usually when I’m anchored SRT in an adjacent tree and need something for changeovers. If you need a second line purely for access then maybe question what you have anchored into…..

On 06/09/2021 at 22:06, Joe Newton said:

For me I don't really see the point of srt on dismantles, apart from access perhaps.

 

The beauty of srt for me is easy ascent without spikes and easier work positioning through redirects. 

 

Dismantling the majority of trees is easier on ddrt.

Unless you’re rigging which involved a lot of tip tieing and butt cutting-I did a large Lombardy about a month ago like that and climbed DDRT and regretted every minute of it😂

4 hours ago, Joe Newton said:

I'm using a bespoke setup, only one of its kind that I know of.

 

Never gets in the way, never tangles and its always there.

 

Oh and it's invisible too. 

Is that the new teufelberger Invisiline rope? Lovely bit of kit 

If you’ve got any more for that price let me know!

So far so good! Managed to get a load of steel biners which are on their way, slings arrived today so happy days 👌 my current speedline “kit” looked pretty ramshackle so I’m glad it’s getting an update! 

FTC stifline is pretty good stuff!

Anyone know where you can get shirts similar to these from (in the U.K.)? 

I like the almost hi-viz standout of the shirt without going full council worker, but struggling to find anything close for sale in this country 🤦‍♂️

6 minutes ago, ledders666 said:

why is steel important? wear and tear I guess?

 

I would have thought alluminium for its better heat distribution?

I wouldn’t say so much important as cost-they’re about half the price of an alloy carabiner? 

6 minutes ago, Mark Bolam said:

Lyon 18mm 60cm.

They are 25Kn rated.

 

Don’t get 100mm, they will be a bit short!

Numbers are not my strong point😂 ideal thanks for the advice! 

I think I may as well buy a set of slings and keep it all to one side-I was going to buy some Lyon 25mm slings probably 100mm long, what did you go for? 

2 minutes ago, Mark Bolam said:

I got mine from Skyland mate.

Steel, which is important, 22Kn rated, and less than a fiver each.

 

Foin Oval Steel carabiner - Screwgate

SKYLANDEQUIPMENT.COM

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Foin Oval Screwgate Connector Foin have been making connectors for over 20 years proving their quality...

 

That’s perfect mate, I’d rather have something with an actual load rating and they are as cheap as chips, ideal! Will get some ordered tonight 

9 minutes ago, swinny said:

Just go buys some you tight wad!

 

I had a job come up recently so just went out and bought 6 slings and crabs. 

 

Just buy some.... crabs were only 9-10.00 each plus vat. Bugger all in the grand scheme of things 

As I said-I’ve already got kit that’s correct & LOLER tested etc (slings & biners included) but I’m after some old ones for zipping smaller lighter stuff out-slings I’ve got or they’re £5er, most lads speed line kits are old biners anyway!

 @Lowestoft Firewood they look ideal thanks very much mate!

27 minutes ago, Duncan. said:

I got a load of screw gate carabiners off eBay for this purpose way cheaper than the speed line kit on honeys! They were from a rock climber who replaces all his carabiners every couple years, think I paid £60 for about 30 of them.

Worth having a look on there.

I did try eBay but I didn’t fancy trawling through all the knock off key ring ones😂 will definitely have a look thanks! Yeah the “official” speed line kits are unbelievably expensive!