Vedhoggar

Have a 18 year old Still MS 240 which was run on pump fuel before E10 came out when switched to using Aspen in that machine as not used much these days, later the fuel line did split but the saw would have been about 13 years old at the time so might have been just age maybe/maybe not but never experienced any problem with the carb on that saw and it runs really well, other saws which ran on pump fuel and now Aspen or Huqvarna Power fuel no problem so far. Someone I know left pump fuel in saw which wasn't used for about six months and had a problem with carb and it was expensive to sort out. We left pump fuel in a generator for about 12 months without using it and there was problem with carb, got it sorted out and only use Aspen in this machine as not used much and no problem since.

Coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). Very light in weight when seasoned with good resistant to decay.

Texaco Supreme 99 Performance Plus has also come out at 0% Ethanol in a test. Esso Synergy Supreme+ 99 is ethanol free say Esso except in Devon, Cornwall. North Wales, North England and Scotland. Legislation is such that E5 labels must be displayed on pumps that dispense unleaded petrol with up to 5% ethanol as well as those that have no ethanol.

I use E5 or Ethanol free fuel such as Aspen or Husqvarna Power depending on how often machine used and sometime add an Ethanol inhibitor to E5 but never use E10. The same machine might be filled with Ethanol free fuel or E5 depending on usage and have experienced no problems with chainsaws, mowers, strimmers, lawn mowers and other small machinery. If fuel going to be used up within a month we just use E5. As pointed out E5 is the maximum amount of Ethanol and with some brands in some areas of the UK E5 fuel has zero Ethanol.

Would agree with most of what is listed but in my experience on seasoning firewood (<20% mc) if winter felled, cut to 25 cm and split to <15cm seasoning times if it includes main drying season have been: birch 6 months, cherry >4 months (more like 6 months), larch 3-6 months, pine 3 months, spruce <6 months, alder <6 months, poplar >6months, sycamore 9 months, lime <6 months. Larch and pine if split down to <15cm and in 50cm -1m billets stacked and top covered often just 3 months.

Felled oak 55 cm dia winter 2022/2023 then cut it into 25cm log lengths/split at 5-10cm dia and seasoned in slatted sheds, moisture content is now 19-22%. It burns okay but would be better if seasoned for 12 months or more rather than just 10 months or at least for a full drying season. Oak splits relatively easiest if using an axe when green but is not that difficult either when seasoned if it is straight grained and not twisted/knotty, if using a log splitter machine it doesn't make any difference if green or not.

I've had problem with the brand new Vanguard 25V000 (14 HP) petrol engine which I bought to replace an old Vanguard engine that went 10 years with a problem then packed up. It has been back to the Briggs and Stratton authorised dealer that fitted it twice and they seem to have sorted out the problem now but they were going to contact Briggs and Stratton to see if any problems reported with this machine (I will chase this up). The machine was being starved of fuel it seems as a part was sticking above carburetor so it was starting with a bit of fuel in carb then cutting out, at first sprayed WD40 on it part sticking and it went for a while then problem started again so it went back to dealer and they got it going and it seems to be alright now. The engine is not on a chipper but firewood machinery, it is a road tow machine though so I was wondering if grit, mud or road salt or something has been thrown up causing problem as it does get splattered but never had this problem at all with the older model. This machine will cut out if oil level too low but that definitely wasn't the problem and it definitely wasn't the fuel or dirty getting into fuel it was the carburetor.

Mick, I was allowing 1/2 hr to load up and get to job if local but not more than an hour to take tree down or top tree, then some time added for disposal afterward and if just one tree I would put it down as a 1/2 days work for 2 persons however there are several trees to work on in same village it seems so depending on what's involved and all agree to the price it should be possible to do more in a 1/2 day.

It looks about 1/2 day for 2 persons with travel and disposal if topped or felled completely if m telephone wires, if electric you are going to have to liaise with electric company if that close so need to factor in the cost of that too (on cost per man day you should know best what you need plus profit). The tree has outgrown its situation and clearly needs remove and that would be my advice to the client and wouldn’t be prepared to take it half-way down as it will look a mess and therefore not good for reputation … you don’t have to do, it particular as you say plenty work around.

I’ve often wondered why bricks have holes …

Try what AHP suggests, I find about 3.5m (12ft) most useful length, plus a Karabiner with a bit of weight to it.

I don’t see what the problem is if you already have Public Liability Insurance and Employers Liability Insurance, perhaps you need to consider switching over to an other insurance company. Working near water is not mentioned as anything special, it’s undertaking work at airports, on railway lines and beside power lines that is specifically highlighted. Insurance covers employees, self-employed labour only, casual workers, Bona Fide sub-contractors as well as friends and family working under your direction normally. If you are not getting paid it won’t increase wages and turnover on declaration form.

Texaco Supreme 99 Performance Plus (99 Octane) came out at 0% Ethanol in one test but a bit of a lottery what percentage of Ethanol brands might have it seems.

111 m3 Sitka spruce with mean dia 35cm and period of delay between felling and weighing of 365 days possibly around 84 tonne (Norway spruce slightly more).

"Although our pumps have E5 labels on them, our Synergy Supreme+ 99 is ethanol-free (except, due to technical supply reasons, in Devon, Cornwall, North Wales, North England and Scotland). Legislation requires us to place E5 labels on pumps that dispense unleaded petrol with ‘up to 5% ethanol’, including those that contain no ethanol." ref ESSO.co.uk website

I’m wondering if it is linked to government funded apprenticeship schemes including those run by Forestry England who is now a DfE approved apprenticeship employer delivering a Level 2 Forest Operatives Apprenticeship.

Holly can be regenerated by coppicing, pollarding and seed, the holly appears to have outgrown its position and must be cutting out light to the adjacent room, will spread more if left unchecked and cut out more light. You might therefore consider cutting the holly back as much as you feel might be necessary as well as collecting some seed beforehand with aim of growing more and planting in a more suitable location.

Womens Arbortec Breathelex have been designed for specifically for women, they come in 6 waist sizes but unlike the mens trousers come in just one leg length as far as I can see (30"/74cm). I know of a couple of women that wear them, one of which said they are the only trousers that fit her. Well made and designed with the professional user in mind, expensive but worth the money.

Jøtul 602 Eco classic stove design, this stove might be the new version of what you have. Normal output is 4.9kW and it takes up to 40cm long logs. 81% efficiency, there are more efficient stoves but don’t know of any 5kW stoves that take up to a 40cm log.

Chrisforestry.co.uk sell a green/hi-viz lightweight waterproof jacket with longer back for £39.20, never worn this jacket but looks very similar to a jacket Sip Protection used to do which I have worn. PU coating keeps you dry in lashing rain but not as breathable as some of the more expensive jackets but some of those don't always keep you dry for that long in my experience.

Not much comes from modern wood stoves burning well seasoned wood, in one test more particulate matter was coming from a toaster (451), frying (411), oven (30) than woodstove (5) when it was on and an incense stick burning registered 800 + (see Youtube: Gosforth Handyman, Woodburning Stoves for Beginners at 20 mins).

If level load rather than in image shown then 0.866 - 0.91 tonne, estimate then would be 0.888 tonne.

How long to season depends on size of log, the smaller the log is cut and split it will season more quickly ... spruce normally within one drying season in my experience.

Between 0.875 and 1 tonne, estimated weight then 0.938 tonne

Conditions favour seller more than buyer of domestic firewood at the moment I would have thought.