Alan Smith

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.

Hi All, I'm looking for recommendations for a flail mower to go onto an Antonio Carrera Tigre 3800 (nominally 36Hp from memory). It will mostly be for ride maintenance but I also have largish areas of sedge and light brush to clear as well. I like the look of the Alpha Delta eco 135 but would be very interested to hear others opinions/ recommendations. Cheers Alan

No criticism implied.

Been following this topic with interest. As veterinary surgeon ticks hold a great deal of interest. A few points, some more pedantic than others! 1. It's Lyme disease, not Lyme's. Named after a small town in New Hampshire. 2. Don't knock the Doc's. Compared with 20 years ago most of them are really on it now and considering the try not to use antibiotics ethos that we live in nowadays I know that in this area (Sussex) if you report a tick bite you will almost automatically be put on antibiotics. 3. New kid on the block. Tick Bourne Encephalitis. TBE. Seriously this makes Lyme disease look like a walk in the park. It's a viral disease, so antibiotics won't help. Affects animals and humans equally and is potentially fatal. We are just starting to see cases reported in the UK. As an interesting side note, the serotype of Lyme disease that is prevalent in the UK does not seem to affect dogs. In the US Lyme is a fairly common disease in dogs. I have tested many dogs here in the UK over the last 30years and have still to see a positive titre. I think the basic message here is don't ignore ticks, if you get a bite do something about it particularly if you feel ill post bite. Despite what has been said in the posts above I thing most GPs are aware and ready to treat where required.

Does anyone make a grinding disk that doesn't leave horrendous burrs? Generally in tool and cutter grinding if you want to avoid burrs you reverse the grinding wheel spin direction so that you are grinding into the cutter not away from it. Don't know if a reversible spindle is available in chain grinders, certainly not on the basic Oregon that I have.