Essential tools - Pole pruners/hook

This is one of those tools I went for years without and now wonder how on earth I managed, I now take them to every job

They may not get used on every job but I'd sooner have them and not need them than need them and not have them!

I have x2 4ft poles and x2 6ft poles which gives me a good range of options for height, I may think about adding another 6 ft pole at some point.

The pruners are perfect for the finishing touches on a medium reduction or for virtually every cut on a small one and the hook comes in equally useful, whether its freeing hanging branches, pulling over small trees or lifting phone lines clear of a branch, I wouldn't want to do some jobs with out it.

I also use the poles for my Big shot, which again may not get used very often, but makes life a lot easier when it does.

My poles are Frank Marvin, but they look identical to Jameson poles and are interchangeable with there accessories. I've been very impressed with the quality and build and seem to take any punishment I throw at them and show very little sign of their age or use

Few recent pics

Just a few pics from instagram I've recently added

Van sign writing

Had My truck sign written over the Christmas period

Pretty pleased with the outcome 

First Aid Kit - in vehicle

The first aid kit in my truck lives behind the passenger seat, its clearly labelled and I make a point of making sure everyone knows where it is

 

The contents consist mostly of large wound dressings, large sterile dressings and assorted tape/gauze.

 

It all just about squeezes into the case

 

which is a Peli case I originally brought to house my SLR camera, but decided after countless other first aid boxes had fallen to pieces that it would see more action and be better suited to living in my truck.

 

 

Peli are renown for there quality and robust build, they are completely water and dust proof and will take a serious amount of abuse.

 

 

This helps keep the contents clean and dry and all in one place, what's the first aid kit like in your truck

First aid kit - personal

I've never really climbed with a first aid kit, I've always founf they got in the way, and to be honest was probably a little complacent about it. One of the firms I've been working for recently provided me with one and figuring I had nothing to loose I thought I'd try it out

 

Well, after a couple of weeks I was reminded as to why I never bother wearing one, as it promptly started falling to pieces!

 

The Velcro and press stud combo is strong enough to hold it on the harness for about half a climb, or until it comes into contact with a branch or limb. The trouble is it just sits in such a way that its bound to catch on stuff, the only flex or give in it is when it pops off

 

 

Then if you look at the actual contents the only thing that would be of any actual use in a tree is the large wound dressing, the waterproof plasters don't stick to anything and had gone mouldy and the first aid guide had disintegrated  

 

 

Time for a rethink...

 

 

 

 

Arbtruck storage solutions

Just a few modifications/storage solutions for my Landrover Arbtruck

 

Pole pruners and rake mounted on chip flap with quick fists, also a 5lt jerry can holder also does a pretty good job of holding a 2 stroke can

 

Under the passenger seat I've managed to fit a set of jump leads and a bottle jack next to the battery

the bottle jack is wrapped in foam to stop it banging around

 

In the drivers side under body storage box I've got a socket set, spanner role, can of WD40, marking spray and a tool bag

 

Tool bag has most of the things yours likely to need, including some fencing tools for when you need to take down (or repair!) a fence, there is also spare chains for all the saws

 

 

The passenger side box has 2 cans of Aspen, a spill kit and bottle of engine oil

 

Retrievable Top tie for SRT

I've always favoured a top tie for SRT, I find it cleaner and neater and don't need to worry about someone (or me!) cutting my base tie. I tie a figure 8 around a dmm anchor ring which has been preinstalled on the other side of the line. This way there is less friction/ware on the point at which it cinches on the line/tree.

The main flaw with this system being that I always need to climb back to the top to remove the tie in and then usually have to switch back to double rope to descend.

Whilst there is nothing wrong with this it can be quite time consuming, So I have been experimenting with using a 5mm cord and a small DMM snap to retrieve the line

I clip this into the figure 8 not the dmm anchor ring, as then when you pull the cord the ring stays in the right orientation and does not add friction to the system, it seems to retrieve the tie in quite well, the cord is just thick enough to get a good purchase on it to give it a good pull. It has worked on a 2ft ivy clad stem so I'm hoping it will retrieve from most anchors. the only issue so far is when to clip the line in and how much would it get in the way if installed at the beginning?