Doug Tait

I think you've got it the wrong way round somehow. It usually works that people pay us to take trees out their garden, it may work occasionally that we agree a deal with someone for good quality timber that could become profitable after we've added value in some way, but you don't have anything that fits the bill. You've a small heap of Birch with Ivy on it that you want paid for the pleasure of removing it. You might find an individual locally that will take it for free to use as firewood but it's not a business proposition.

Ivy chip is through the roof just now.

5k is a decent bid but we need some clarification whether we're bidding on 2 or 3 tons, it's a bit vague. Feeling is it's 2 ton of birch, and literally a ton of ivy. Must be substantial if the garden shredder in the background didn't manage to tackle it.

Is the ivy free with it or will that cost extra?

This might help explain better than I can, I only know it was an issue because the dealer told me when I paid them! https://arbtalk.co.uk/forums/topic/113185-impulse-hose/

Had a saw which would start and idle no problems hanging on a harness but cut out when turned on its side due to impulse line.

My mate said the same about vibes, he plans to put new av mounts on his. I was teasing him about the cost of his 'cheap saw' after he's replaced all the substandard parts with the proper Stihl version but for now he's smitten. I don't know it'll last long anyway given what Dan said earlier, Stihl and Husky seem to get regular damage to chain brake handles while in the truck so if blue thunder is weak it'll show up quickly.

You're not alone, he's already saying 'they do a 66 and an 88 as well Doug!'

Thought I'd pop this up after Stubby mentioned the blue ones in the 361 thread. Mate at work decided to have a punt on a Farmatec Holzfforma G466, an MS461 copy. First day out we were in windblow with a milling list. Blue Thunder did all the cutting on I think 4 tanks Aspen and never missed a beat. A load away on the timber trailer and a small load left to pick up. He's used the MS461 in forestry and says The Thunder didn't disappoint. Longevity will be interesting but for £250 he's happy for now. Additional cost for Stihl Bar/Full Chis Chain.

She'll be giving it a few days for that delightful aroma to develop, a hint of rot is infinitely more appealing.

To be fair she double bagged it to be safe https://youtu.be/XRjNdgAetQE

Found some of the comments in that article hilarious... They found the poor lady’s squirrel in the bathroom. “It had chewed through a bottle of Listerine and died of alcohol poisoning. It was in the sink, legs in the air, big smile on its face. “I love squirrels. I love trapping them and I love shooting them.” Yet he can’t help but admire their single-minded tenacity and resilience: “They’re amazing. They’re delicious, too.” When Andrew, 47, noticed a squirrel in residence in his Edinburgh loft, he was equanimous about it. “I don’t think they could make anything fall down unless they acted in concert, or brought in a beaver, but I would prefer them in a tree,” he says.

If anyone still struggling to view I've copied it.

The guys at the dealer obviously recognise that I'm a sensitive, gentle type of saw user!

The decomp valve rattled out on a 560 of mine and I asked the dealer for a replacement. They gave me the choice of an "overly expensive" replacement valve or a free bolt which the new saws are delivered to them with. The only criteria in their opinion was would I find it difficult to start without one, no mention of it damaging the saw. Been fine without it so far.

Won't they all be completely admonished of any wrongdoing soon? After all, when it emerges it was all a ruse by the nasty tories to further stifle the will of the people of Scotland the Police are bound to realise their mistake.

Local Council's website may have a map showing Conservation Areas and Tree Orders, or you'll find the contact details there for the Tree Officer and get in touch directly to ask.

Poignant day today. Big Al our foreman had his last day before retirement, 22yrs here doing Arb and 10yrs before that in Forestry. Now he's off to walk the dog, make bird boxes, play with the grandkids and do much more of his long standing other passion, playing guitar with his function band. We spent the day making stools under the supervision of a notable local furniture maker. A lovely day without any noise, plenty of banter and an excellent picnic made by Mrs Boss. And we're all quite pleased with our stools made with Ash legs and Sycamore seat. I'd cleaned and fettled up a Husky 345 I had in the shed which we gave him from the lads as his perfect retirement saw, he was very happy! His last day on site was yesterday though and fortunately we had an Ash trunk to extract from an awkward spot. Our best work together is me in the crane with him directing and chaining up so we were in our happy place, was a great final working day together. All the best Alistair.

If you can make it happen it deserves its own website.

Same up here, touch of frost first thing but once the sun came up it was t-shirt and vents open all day, lovely.

@Crocky is a member here with a good reputation for that kind of work.

Agree with eggs on that point to an extent, another version of Mike probably won't be looking for a career backstep. But, if Mike's looking for the long term stability of a reliable day in, day out 'workforce' to make planning jobs easier then sticking with contractors isn't a viable option, that's an employed role.

My most embarrassing one was REM. "lets pee in the corner, lets pee in the spotlight losing my religion"

Russia take their turn presiding over the business of the UN Security Council today. Whilst actively engaged in war in Ukraine and whilst Putin has an arrest warrant from the Hague against him for war crimes, they take Presidency at the United Nations. There's still a flicker of hope for humanity though as other UN members like the USA, France and UK will 'probably' be represented by a less important dignitary for the duration of Russia's lead. That'll show them. Apparently it's not planned at all but a complete coincidence that this happens on April 1st.

Sorry to hear that, sounds bloody painful.