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New Structure For Training?

Apologies for not writing up more articles on chainsaw maintenance; NPTC have very recently released a complete new set of training schedules for consultation that will affect the training provided. Find out more after the jump...

NPTC have put out for consultation new guidance notes for all chainsaw training units, as well as modifying the structure of the CS units as a whole.

What this means is that until I know what direction the units are actually going to take and I'm not sure when that information will be released, information and articles on this site may be a bit sporadic. However, I'll still post some stuff as and when...

Congratulations Go To...

I'd just like to congratulate the latest students that passed various NPTC assessments this month. Speaking of which, where on earth has this month gone?

And so, a "Well done" goes to...

...the following individuals for passing chainsaw maintenance & crosscutting / chippers / small fell & MEWP assessments.

CS30 Chainsaw Maintenance:

Kevin D. (how much use of a chainsaw can you get on an oil-rig?)

Andy L.

Jo J.

Sara B.

Rich S.

Ryan T. - best wishes with the new venture

Andy W.

CS31 Small Fell:

Kevin D.

Samantha D.

Dom C. - with that much metal in his back; the man who must surely set off airport security scanners whenever he goes on holiday.

Ian A.

Brushwood Chippers

Adam

Kenny

Dean

Colin

Neal

MEWPs:

Rich B.

Michael S.

Jason S.

Well done, and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Xmas Break & The New Year Ahead...

I'd like to take the chance to thank everyone who reads this blog and also to those who have been involved in some way, shape or form. If you are celebrating the Christmas period, then I hope you have an enjoyable time and if you're not, then all these festivities must be driving you mad! Either way, have fun over the next couple of weeks. We'll be back in the new year, looking to continue the DriveLink site with more help and advice on chainsaw related bits and bobs; find out more after the jump...

Originally I had thought that this site would be giving chainsaw maintenance and crosscutting a once over, and then maybe move on to felling. After roughly 8 months we haven't really got on to cross-cutting, which either means that I'm really slow at getting to the point, or someone out there is liking the information being put out - who is it anyway? Is it you?

The majority of readers are from the U.S. & U.K., but I notice that we've also had visits from Croatia, China, South Korea, New Zealand, Finland, South Africa, and on goes the list.

So, next year, we need to finish off the audio version of the assessment schedule, but for the next bit (essentially NPTC CS30.2 on-site preparation and crosscutting), I may take a slightly different tack by producing proper little podcast shows that you can download. Each show will deal with several bits from the assessment schedule and [hopefully] be a little lesson in it's own right. From there, we can move on to crosscutting and so on.

I hope you'll stick with us in the new year, for more great content. Until then "Happy Xmas & New Year!", thanks for reading, commenting and thanks to Makita and Oregon in particular.

Welcome to TreeStuff

I'd like to take the opportnity to welcome Luke at TreeStuff to the hallowed corridors of DriveLink HQ; if you're in the U.S. and a chainsaw user on the ground, dangling from a rope or a mobile elevated work platform, TreeStuff probably stocks something of interest to you. In fact, even if you're not in the U.S., they probably have something that'll pique your interest. Find out more after the jump...

Luke, at TreeStuff runs an internet based store (but has a real bricks and mortar store too) and blog. I'll let Luke explain in his own words...

TreeStuff.com is an online arborist supply retailer that sells its products in North America as well as globally. We are dedicated to selling the equipment that professional arborists need to get the job done right. Most importantly our stuff costs less. We opened in 2006 with the plans to use a different business model. We don't print a catalog, but instead are trying to market our products to a new generation of computer savvy arborists. We also have physical location called Metro Arborist Supplies in Indianapolis, Indiana where arborists can see and try out the equipment. In our store we sell and service Stihl and Husqvarna chain saws.

Not much to add to that, other than 'take a look'!

CS30.1.18: Fuel / Oil Filters

Finally, the last bit of your maintenance assessment - maintaining the fuel and oil filters. Although it's not the end of the test, as you'll still have to get through the crosscutting bit yet! Anyhow, back to the filters, this bit is easy - to find out how easy click on Read More...

Well, for starters this is another one of those 'demonstrate knowledge of' activities, and that means just answering a question about it; you're not expected to actually do it.

Do what you may ask? As there is no need to remove the fuel, or oil, filter, you'll be expected to explain how to set about replacing them. This essentially comes down to undoing the fuel / oil tank filler cap, using a bit of bent wire to hook the filter out, removing / replacing it and dropping it back in (you might want to mention about draining the tank out first too). Listen below to the assessment activity for this last section of the maintenance assessment.

CS30.1.17: Service The Recoil Starter

If it hasn't happened to you yet, you can be sure it will do at some point in your 'chainsawing career'. That moment when you pull the starter handle and it just keeps on coming. The cord has snapped and you are going to have to replace it; and so it is with your assessment. Find out more after the jump...

Part of the assessment is to simulate the replacement of a starter cord; fortunately you don't need to put a new length of cord in, but you will need to retension the spring and check it's OK. You will also need to tell the assessor where it's most likely to break (essentially at either end). To view the article about recoil starters, check out Recoil Starters, or listen to the relevant bit of the assessment schedule.

CS30.1.16: Service The Spark Plug

Whilst you could be asked about cleaning the electrodes, pointing out erosion, checking plug types and testing the electrode gap with feeler gauges, in reality the assessment is much easier. So, to find out more about this section, click on Read More...

You'll need to be able to give the assessor an idea of the state of engine tune based on the colour of deposits on the electrodes.

You can find out more about spark plugs here, or click on the audio broadcast below to hear what the assessment schedule says.

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