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Do you need a chainsaw?
First, work out if you need a chainsaw at all.
Buying a chainsaw
Make sure you buy at least a semi-professional model as opposed to an ‘occasional-user’ cheap one, which would undboubtedly turn out to be false economy.
Chainsaw safety
A chainsaw is one of the most dangerous things you can buy. They can kick and move towards you – unlike other mechanical saws that stay in one place
Training & certification
You don’t need special training or certification if you’re using a chainsaw on your own land but you do if you’re using it anywhere else.
Insurance
If someone is going to allow you to use a chainsaw on their land, then you need a certificate and they need public liability insurance, because on their land, they have a duty of care for you (even if they’re not employing you).
Fuel & lubrication
Chainsaw fuel is a mixture of petrol and oil. The oil is good quality two-stroke oil, suitable for chainsaws.
Using & looking after your chainsaw
This guide can’t (and shouldn’t) explain how to use a chainsaw. If you don’t know, then you have to get training of some sort.
Repair & maintenance videos – Stihl 026 model
Thanks to Andy Reynolds for vids.
Repair & maintenance videos – Stihl 023 model
Thanks to Andy Reynolds for vids.
Repair & maintenance videos – Stihl 017/018 model
Thanks to Andy Reynolds for vids.
Repair & maintenance videos – Husqvarna models
Thanks to Andy Reynolds for vids.
Other videos – maintenance, felling trees, protective clothing etc.
Thanks to Andy Reynolds for vids.
Grid tie inverter
Information provided by Andy Reynolds of the Ecolodge
Fruit & veg growing guide for January
January is generally a very cold month with hard frosts freezing the ground although there are no guarantees with British weather. Looking through my diaries, snow isn’t that likely for a prolonged period, but you never know.
Filtering waste oil
Here’s a simple but very effective waste oil filtering system
Fruit & veg growing guide for February
February, being the last of the winter months , often has a sting and ends up being the coldest month. So, more than any other month, this one you need to play according to local conditions. It’s best to hold off than try to sow in waterlogged, near frozen ground that will most likely rot …
Frut & veg growing guide for March
March is the month when things really start to move in the growing season. In fact the start of the year used to be Lady Day, the Feast of the Annunciation, 25th March until 1752 in Britain when we adopted the Gregorian calendar and started our year on the 1st January.
Fruit & veg growing guide for April
By April spring should be well and truly underway, the soil warming up nicely and everything growing away. Don’t be complacent though, it’s been known for a cold snap with snow to strike even in the sunny south of England.
Fruit & veg growing guide for May
Generally one of the busiest months on the vegetable plot, here John Harrison shares his fruit and vegetable growing guide for May. The soil is warm and the plants growing well. But watch out for a sneaky late frost. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared for frantic last minute wrapping of …
Fruit & veg growing guide for June
Flaming June should bring us a hot sunshine-filled month with the risk of frost passed and those in more northerly parts should be able to catch up with those in the south. We’re also moving towards the longest day, June 21st being the summer solstice so there is plenty of daylight to let you get …