Alan Smith

Definitely not good, but your average suburban dweller with the designer wood stove is not burning painted scrap treated/painted wood are they? It's the suburban/urban areas that the government are looking at with regard to wood smoke pollution.

Not dirty wood, wet wood. Piles of freshly cut wood delivered to people who know no better trying to burn it because they are so unorganised they didn't get it delivered three years previously and stashed it away to dry in a shed and are too cheap to buy properly seasoned wood.

There is a diesel feed tap on the diesel filter housing. Very easy to leave shut after doing maintenance work and forgetting which way is open. Worth checking.

Another scientific fact, if you can't tell the difference between an arse and a fanny you're going to get into trouble.

I've got similar, PC27R. Similar vintage. First thing I did was put on a hydraulic thumb. It's worked very well for me. Looking at an undercarriage refresh next summer.

Very nice, Ash? Looks like it might have been too healthy to fell!

That's at Carrbridge isn't it? Not far from Tomatin, a little drop of which I shall enjoy before bed tonight.

You would have to hold your nose if you were going to eat it. Ginkgo fruit smells of dog shit. Really. The second oldest Ginkgo in the UK is just on the other side of our garden wall and fruits sporadically. Not sure I would want to try to eat it.

Morning all. I thought it would be polite to update this thread after all the advice I received. I plumped in the end for a flail as I'm working in some tight areas and often up against estate railing so felt compactness and manoeuvrability trumped all. I bought a Chapman CFM150 and although it was expensive versus some machines on the market I don't regret it in the slightest. It's incredibly well made and does a fantastic job. I certainly don't find it's slow, I've finished all my cutting for the season in a couple of mornings. Previously it has taken me days. It is definitely not too much for the tractor to cope with power wise and manages dense sedge up fairly steep banks without any trouble.

I follow Brian on Instagram, he's a clever and amusing gentleman.

Wild duck? All credit to someone who takes time to take offal out of wild animal. Liver is so under-rated, as is heart and don't get me started on chicken gizzards!!

I think I would do the same, winch off to avoid leaving a crevice as you say.

I've made cider for about 10 years now, about 200-250 litres. I've thought about trying distilling, especially now that regulations are more relaxed but quite honestly I have too many hobbies as it is. An alternative to distilling is freezing the cider and decanting the alcohol which of course does not freeze and separates out. The Canadians call this Apple Jack I think. Again, never tried it.

Brilliant, Thanks all for the suggestions.

Thanks guys, someone had suggested to me previously a topper would be better for me. I've never used a flail and assumed for a small machine would be lighter and handier. I'll have a look to see what's available for a small machine, any recommendations? I'm in Sussex if that helps re suppliers etc.