Mr S

Thanks for that… I think that inc vat now they’d be asking about 700£ - which feels a-bit of a piss take for what they are !! Hence me asking a round ….

Hi there, any one out there know for a set of dual front wheels for a Vermeer Sc252 stump grinder ?!? We all know what’s gonna happen if I don’t find a pair !! Many thanks

Hey arbwork, it looks like you’ve got the miser cutting well ! Couldn’t help but notice your using a metal detector in one of the photos - Is it worth while or do you just detect the mill the whole time ! Wondering about getting one - do you know what brand it is ?

Hi there, I started off with the Norwood lumbermate which to be fair did the job - I was always dubious about there longevity though - their lack of fine adjustment meant that as things naturally wore over time they wouldn’t be able to be fine tuned, and a bandsaw that’s isn’t bang on is a bandsaw that isn’t running. We then bought a trekkasaw which was labour intensive but had a really clean stable cut and could mill wide (1m) boards which is where the money is . When upgrading from that I looked at the trackmet and was well impressed - when I looked they were all electric though so you’d need a Genny or three phase. I bought an autotreck which are in my opinion really great but a fair wack of money to invest and like rocking horse shit to find second hand. Wood-misers are in my opinion over rated and I’ve seen more old ones cutting badly than cutting well ! I will be selling our old trekkasaw in the spring - it’s on a tow along frame and a great bit of kit but not for everyone - let me know if your interested. Where are you based Cheers

Yes that’s the one - it’s affectively the same cutting head but mounted on an automated trailer with full hydraulics etc.

It’s an autotrekk - there’s not loads of them around but there a great saw. Hitting metal is more relevant with this saw than some others because the bands are supper expensive - being stelite tipped and 4 1/2 inches wide.

For waney edge cladding i’d cut one straight edge to aid future working and then rip 3/4 or inch boards. I never cut dimensionalised timber if it’s going into the store as it’s much more prone to move whilst drying and result in more wastage. Full width boards to be ripped down once dry is in my experience the best way to go.

Sorry guys I should have said - I’m milling timber with a mobile band saw.

I’d go waney edge cladding - people always seem to ask for it and it’s hard for people not in the know to source . Cut it all the same size to make storage easy - never underestimate the importance of storage. It doesn’t matter if it’s the best timber , milled perfectly - if it’s not stored correctly it’s worthless.

Hey guys - I’ve never bothered before but the last 3 customers have asked why I don’t use a metal detector - In the past I’ve thought it puts the responsibility if you hit something back on yourself and they’re not really reliable enough to trust . Any thoughts or solutions on the uk market ? cheers

Ridgeline smock is what I’ve got and it’s pretty good- it’s not from my world at all but the hunting and shooting brigade know how to make good outdoor clothing ! Essentially I find the only policy that works is having dry cloths to put on - if it’s totally waterproof it’s usually bulky or not breathable and if it is it’ll be too pricey and fragile for the work environment !

We got a Necter , Bakers Oven for my mum . It’s basic, looks ok and is reasonably priced - she really likes it and it serves as a good space heater , top plate and oven. I think they are Australian and when we first bought it 6 years ago a water jacket wasn’t available in the uk as it didn’t have a ce mark but it might be now.

hell guys... you lot have been busy on here. i guess with all that extra earnings you don't need to work nights as well !! So thats pretty decisive then ... christmass hike in day rates it is !! in answer to some of your querries - i've owned the mog 12 years, its been pretty kind to me in terms of running costs but i'm more than aware a big repair bill is always never far away. Im under the Vat limit due to relocating a few years back and not having a totally full diary - which is probably why i've kept the day rate low. Thanks for your imput.

thanks every one i really appreciate it - well this seems pretty decisive. The situation arose when i moved to a new area, needed to be competitive to create a client base and with low running costs of kit being paid off and a yard based at home its been able to stay low. next question then, how do you navigate valuing prices for different types of work. do you vary them or keep a flat rate regardless of wether you are trimming hedges, doing technical dismantles, or working in a woodland with no big kit. Granted i have a unimog - but its not always being utilised as a offroad 10inch beastie and i do alter my prices drastically if it gonna run all day doing a clearance job. in reply to mike hill - yes i feel like a working fool at the moment !! and Tom D a, no im definatly not feeling minted although b, after 19 years in the industry everything is paid off and my running costs are low but c, at the time of posting this issue i am also looking at much easier way of magicking money !

Hey Guys, so i work in and around the rural west midlands area operating a Tree Surgery gang made of myself and subcontract climbers/groundsmen etc as required. We are equipped and able to undertake all aspects of tree work - from large dismantles and reductions to hedge trimming and fruit trees. We are pretty well equipped with unimog and chipper, landrover and trailer, climbing/lowering gear, a multitude of hedge trimmers and steps, from 88's to top handles, and i would say we operate quite effectively. I don't need to charge vat, my clients range from tiny domestic jobs, business, stately homes and land owners, schools and larger organisations but i don't get involved in any big highways, railway or council tenders. The question is day rates - for a team of two (1 climber, 1 areal rescue) i charge £380 and for team of three (2 climbers, 1 areal rescue) i charge £550. I fear that i may be behind the times on prices and as such keeping the industry down !! I pay my climbers between £130-150 per day. What do you reckon... is it time for a pay rise ?