Hi all,
I have been working as a sole trader (Handyman/Gardener) for just over a year now & am finding that I need to upgade some kit.
The hedge trimming season has already started down here & I currently use use a multiway ladder, the sort that folds into various positions. But I am aware that this isn't the safest way to work & when standing on the top of it as an A frame, waving a fully extended Sthil HLA85 so im looking at a Tripod instead, probably around 2.4M. Any thoughts on brand, pricing & whether to get one which has all three legs adjustable. Last season I did shy away from a few jobs because I knew that I couldn't manage them & once you turn work down for a customer, you don't go!
The next issue is my Shredder/Chipper, I try to keep waste materials on site if possible, (sell custometrs the eco story, that they can use the chippings in their garden) which saves costs for them & me! I do take waste away if needed as well.
Atm I have a Mountfield 'quiet' shredder, which I have had around 20 years. It has been used domesticly & semi-commerical in that time, it's a great little machine. For 2000w it can handle wood upto around 40mm, but it doesn't look that professional, having to plug it in & the casing has had it, the switch is knackered as well.
So advice on something bigger, but can fit in a combo van (atm), petrol, takes around the same diameter & does not cost the earth. I did see a post on here recently about Eliot machines, but way to expensive for me at this stage.
I am thinking of going to the Arb Show in May & might go on a spending spree. Does anyone know about it, or any other trade shows it might be worth attending?
Cheers Neil
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Ladders - Henchman tripod ladders, 3 adjustable legs are my preference. I've not used other brands, I'm sure they are good too, it is the 3 adjustable legs that does it for me!
What do you want to shred? Is speed important? How much waste do you need to shift in a day for ex?
I owned an 8hp Bearcat for a couple of years, found it a bit of pain, did the job, was slow when loading up alot of waste continuously. Was almost as quick to collect the waste and bag it. Had a useful side chute for chipping larger branches, still a bit slow.
Have a much larger Eliet now, great machines, gets used regularly.
Thanks Scott, yes I think it will have to be the 3 adjustable legs on the ladder. Henchman seems expensive though & just paying for the brand.
I only intend to be chipping smaller quanities, on an occasional basis. So the investment in something big would not be worth it.
Cheers
Maybe wait it out and look for used ladders on fleabay?
Go for a shredder, probably a drum type, rather than a chipper. Smaller Eliet perhaps, look for a design where a large proportion of the weight is lower down - quite a few are top heavy and a real pain to move around/ get in and out of a van.
Thanks Scott I will use your advise.
got my tripod from northern arb supplys only i adjustable leg as i wanted one with a SWL of 150kg the three leg were only 100kg things might have changed as new regs have come into force about SWL for transportable ladders i did post about it a few months back
having recentley retierd mine are stood doing nothing so they will be for sale if intrested
We have the Henchman with 3 adjustable legs and they are so versatile. They really are the best ladders we have ever had. Some of the cheaper brands don't have a rail to lean on like the Henchman do. It comes in very handy when waving you longreach about at the top!
A very timely post as I just scrapped my old 5 tread step ladder a few days ago. I would opt for the Henchman myself. However due to the safety features I can only fit a 6ft one in my van which only got 3 treads. Ideally I would like a 8ft one but my van is just a fraction too short..... I do n't really want to get a ladder rack for my van for the limited amount of use I will be using it.
If your trying to grow your business and not turn work down like you did always buy the biggest and best you can afford you will grow into it. Tallest tripod with three adjustable legs you can still use it on smaller jobs. Over the years we have had every ladder and tower combination you can think of now it’s tripods and cherry picker all the way.People will expect you to cut the most crazy dangerous stuff so don’t mess around stay safe and work smart
Thanks everyone for their input. The advice was very useful.
I have managed to pick up an Eliet Major shredder, for what I though was a very good price second hand & now just getting used to working with it.
As for the ladder, I went with a 3M tripod, with 3 adjustable legs. Not the Henchman, but a Workware which I picked up at the Arb show last week on a deal.
The Eliet Major only just squeezes into my Combo van, on a couple of ramps I had to purchase as well for it (Why I have spent over a year lifting Mowers & kit in & out of this vehichle in the past without them, I do no know!)
Cheers, Neil