john87

To be honest, they are right royally taking the piss just showing off their power [and complete ignorance] If you installed a dropped kerb, WTF has that got to do with tree roots????? Try looking at a kerbing catalogue, the right hand and left hand ones taper down, and the centre ones are half the height... So, you could break out the haunching from what is already there, and bed your new kerbs back on the existing bedding, no need to go any deeper or anything. I suggest you send off for a catalogue and then go tell the twats they are full of shit and do not know what they are on about.. Here is a link to a suitable catalogue for you... http://www.rpcltd.co.uk/concrete-solutions/downloads/products/bs-kerb-data-sheet.pdf john..

No, have to admit i do not like heights. Hate climbing up long stems, but feel ok once up there for some reason. Last thing i would do is go up a ladder, motor bike gear or not!! john..

That is good!! I got it from George Carr in bristol. I have had a few bits from there now.. They seem pretty good in there.. I drove over this afternoon.. john..

Ok... So, i went to the shop that sells this sort of stuff, and they did not have many. Funnily enough though, the very first one i tried seemed to fit the best, so i bought one.. It is a CT "Aries tree" if that means anything and it came with Husqvarna ear muffs and not a clue what visor!! They had a very nice looking 3M one, but it did not seem to fit me.. Cannot remember what others.. All much of a muchness though.. So, there we are.. If i manage to fall out of a tree, at least i will have a helmet on.. [Cannot see that helping much!!] Oh yes, it was £85 [No idea if that is good or not??] john..

Nothing like experience eh!! I first did this about 50 years ago trying to start my honda 50 i had. Worked then, has never failed since!! john..

Err, no.. That was the bloke that had a row of huge conifers that he was going to go up with a 20 foot ladder complete with a saw. He was never heard from again, so no idea!! john..

Whether you are going to be able to get it going without throwing money at it. Can you think of a better idea?? Thought not.. Try it and you might just surprise yourself.. john..

Careful fiddling with hydraulic stuff.. If you manage to inject yourself with hydraulic oil you will be in BIG trouble.. Does the motor seem to come under load or does it just seem to run freely while nothing happens?? john..

Must say them Protos ones really do look good! Price is a bit steep, but i suppose you only get what you pay for.. john..

Hi All, Any recommendations as to climbing helmets??? You know, what to get and what to avoid.. Do not want to spend mega bucks, but something half tidy would be good.. john..

Perhaps it is just knackered.. Try this as a final test, it has never failed me.. Put in brand new fuel. Take out the plug and heat the end bit literally red hot with a blow lamp. Put it back in as fast as you can and try to start the thing. 99% certain it will go first pull.. john..

I have used them loads, always brilliant.. john..

Missed the bit about spark as i did not read through whole thread. HOWEVER, in the very first post the poster states it runs but roughly. So.. Does it have a spark or not??? john..

100: 1 will kill it, make no mistake about that.. I can tell you EXACTLY what is wrong with it, the fuel you are using.. Tip the shitty unleaded out and buy any one of the premixed alkylate fuels. Instant cure.. Unleaded will go off in a matter of weeks, and will wreck your carb too, hence you cleaning it all the time.. I have NEVER had to clean one of my carbs, but then i use the fuel direct from the makers tin... john

I am going to see if i can make a device for tending the thing... I know there are other knots out there, but i trust my blakes.. A distel was far better on my lanyard though!! john..

Yes, that is exactly right. That is why i would rather my Blakes, but most people say i am making things hard for myself.. I agree with you;. I just think that simple is best, is all you need and less to go wrong. I would much rather my blakes than one of them mechanical things.. Never seen a blakes recalled!! Wish i could get it to "self tend" though... I tried a pulley but it just levers the bottom coil of the hitch into the rope and drags an unbelievable amount, so i gave up on that and now just advance it by hand. john..

Hi Mark, Yes, doing it alone.. I always make sure that i have someone with me though. Not sure what they could do if i fell out of a tree though! The tree i am working on now, not sure anyone could do much if i igot stuck up there either, due to location.. Funnily enough, i was selling something on facebook a few weeks ago. Was talking to the bloke that came to collect it and i asked "what you do then??" Tree surgeon he says!! Step this way sir!! I learnt a hell of a lot in ten minutes, never mind a morning.. There is a place near me that do climbing courses and stuff, but i would not be able to do that anyway, for reasons i shall keep to myself, nothing exciting though.. Be a bit much for me at my age anyway i expect. Climbing 40 odd foot once is bad enough, never mind doing it repeatedly!! Mind you i have been told that climbing on a Blakes is probably not helping, but it suits me.. Very good idea of yours to pay an individual person though. I might chase up the tree surgeon fellow and see what they say.. Thanks for helping.. john...

Hi There, Thank you very much for your help and advice!! VERY much appreciated. john..

More piccys as i know you like piccys!! Been up the tree removing bits so you can see more clearly.. There are TWO possible tie in points as you can see in the photo below.. Object of the exercise is to remove the branches you can see on the left and right.. Now, as anchoring to a branch is not that clever, the plan is to get the rope around the main stem with the branch merely stopping it slipping down... Here are both of them more clearly... Now given a choice, i would use the bottom one, but there is a branch growing out of the centre of the union [See below] Is there a reason for this?? [Never seen it before] and could it indicate a weakness or abnormaility in the structure of the thing?? What you all think?? john..

More like cut and duck to be honest!! Did a bit more this afternoon.. john..

No no, i like to hear all opinions, it all helps you know... john..

Yes, 11.3.2 They seem to like having a bit of a test?? I know you could say that it could weaken what was previously ok, but you could say the same about the MOT tester deliberately applying your car brakes as hard as he can for the same reason??? I saw a brake pipe burst once like this, [was not my car!!] john.. john..

Thanks Mark, that makes me feel a lot better.Yes a Stein one with the steel rings. [Very nice it is too!] As you said, it is dead vertical so all weight will be straight down. I know you will laugh yourself silly at this, but once i have the rope installed, i am going to put a sling round the tree base and load the rope up with a pulley block and leave if for a few minutes. I will KNOW it is safe then.. john..

I have already been up there a few times and removed most of it so the throw line is easy to place now!! I got the rope into the lower parts, rigged down what i could reach, and cut and chucked other bits out of reach with a pole saw from up the tree.. john..

Yes, i understand what you mean. Difficulty for me is getting the rope where i want it. Anchoring lower down and then advancing the rope is a bit advanced for me!! john..