john87

Just been reading the C+G syllabus thingy for the NPTC 206. Looks quite interesting... john...

Hi Doug, Yes, i agree totally. I will point out though, that i am only going to be doing very simple stuff and certainly not going off to the ends of limbs!!.. Bugger that!! When i am doing any climbing i will make sure that there is always someone there too, not sure that they would be too much help when it came to going up a tree though.. After a lifetime of engineering, riding motorbikes, and yes, plenty with chainsaws and farms, it is all to do with common sense, and knowing your limits.. Try to be clever or being "brave" and pushing your limits, is a sure way to get hurt.. In engineering they have something called "FMEA" that is; "failure mode effect analysis" In other words, if this or that goes wrong, what will, or could, the outcome be.. Trust me, everything i do will be slow and methodical with lots of thought as to what could possibly go wrong.. Like the sound of them courses though.. What do they make you do though..?? I am not doing anything that i do not feel comfortable with though.. I do not need, nor want, a certificate in being brave and going beyond MY limits.. Not interested what others want to do.. It would be like someone making you do judo breakfalls when all you ever really wanted to do was lay down!! Not sure what is involved on the chainsaw course?? Not much that a sensible person would not be doing anyway.. Would not mind doing one though. What does it cost?? Back in the early/mid 1980's i worked on a farm. One day a car arrived and a bloke gets out and announces that he is from the HSE and that do we/I have a chainsaw.. I/we answer Yes!! and he asks would we like a short course?? Well, obviously yes! We were there for about an hour while this bloke did his bit. We did not get a certificate or anyhing, but i do not think they did them then anyway?? Still, i have NEVER forgotten what we/I learnt. Fast forward about 40 years of incident free chainsaw use, and one thing the HSE instructor told us, one thing that he was absolutely INSISTENT about, that i have NEVER EVER forgotten, and that was.. NEVER EVER cut with the top of the bar.. Now, what do i see all the "experts" doing???? Yes, i know full well WHY they do it, but would i do it?? Not a chance, as it is OBVIOUS as to what is likely to happen.. [and i guess the HSE bloke had seen the results a few times too..] Still, the "experts" know better than me, and are more skilled than me, so THEIR limits will be a lot "further out" than mine, but as i said, i know my limits and will not be pushing them.. I would like to do courses though, the more certs the better!! I always liked doing exams and stuff.. john..

Yes, all good advice and common sense, but if i wish to be stupid, then there is no law that says i have to be sensible!! Nearly forgot.. You mention courses. What courses could i do?? What do they involve?? john..

Can i just say, you are all great on this forum.. Lots of forums, when a newbie asks a question they get told "leave it to professionals" You lot are great though.. I do not intend to be a professional tree surgeon or whatever they are called, but what i am up to, is i do a lot of voluntary work, that includes looking after a 60 acre site that has been sadly neglected over the years, and i am going to sort it out and put it back as it was nearly 50 years ago when i first got involved with the place.. Yes i am a bit old to be climbing up trees, but hey ho!! I bought one of them Timberwolf chippers about a fortnight ago, brilliant buy that was, well, i think so.. Only 6 years old, just used by one man, once, on his own property, and needless to say it is in "as new" condition. Now, if i can just manage to avoid falling out of a tree!!! john..

Got to ask you all.. Why would people want to use a blakes hitch in the first place, instead of what i would think was far more simple to use, one of them eye to eye friction cords and a simple prusik?? Is it because with the blakes hitch all you need is the rope itself?? Another question!! What style of harness, a seat type one or the more usual leg loop sort. Reason for asking is i need whatever will not squash my nuts as owing to an unfortunate medical condition, squashed nuts are something i do not need!!!! What am i looking for when i try out a harness?? Do they lift you up in the shop with a chain block or something to try it?? john..

Thank you very much!! That is just the sort of advice i am looking for!! john..

Hi There, I know what i need, but not what makes and stuff i should be going for.. I was thinking steel spikes as cheaper, not too worried about weight, so was thinking Notch gecko perhaps?? Not a clue what rope though, Loads to choose from!! Not worried about "gadgets" as i will not be doing much, so a simple three knot blakes hitch setup will do me just fine.. Just thought that he voice of experience, [you lot!!] would be better than me having a guess!! john..

Hi there, As a newbie starting out would you buy a ready made kit like for example the treehog kits, or would you try to buy everything separately?? Thanks all.. john..