Soooo, you've decided to get started in this industry before pricing what equipment will cost? Seems like you should price stuff out first then decide if you want in. The stuff you are asking about is peanuts in the big picture. Start by pricing a chip truck, a chipper, rigging gear, insurance for yourself, employees and equipment. That stihl top handel you think is so expensive will seem like nothing.
Advice for Beginner (sort of)
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imagineero
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I think our spend on fuel was about 50k last year :-( Envy the gas prices you guys get stateside!
Maple Grounds
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Dont let some of these guys get you down, there is plenty of small jobs to keep a part timer busy. After learning how to climb you will know what are must haves and what are wants.
Basic but safe gear is all that is really needed, wide back saddle, a few biners, 120' climbing line, throw line, spurs for removals and a couple of saws. Throw in a silky hand saw, a couple of
rigging lines and a port a wrap and a friend to run ropes and you can make a few extra bucks on weekends.
There are a lot of jobs were you can put it on the ground and the home owner will clean up an cut up the wood. The most profitable jobs are start to finish first cut to cleanup, and
allot people in my rural area will do the clean up if it will save some money. Start with friends an family and small jobs will come.
In my opinion, for your 5k you can get all the things you need for basic trimming and removals. Rent a chipper if you need it, use a trailer if you can. Just dont get in over your head,
dont be afraid to walk away from a job if its more than you can handle, if there is a good local company that you get along with, recommend them. They might throw you some work
that is not for them but right up your alley
woodchuck357
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I started on my own small. A half dozen mostly old saws, a pickup, trailer, and a little climbing equipment. Worked up to some size. equipment and crews with accompanying worries. Now old and mostly retired, back to a pickup, trailer and a couple dozen old saws. I would have been much happier, I think, if I had forgone the trip to the larger size.
I went from part time for three years to full time this spring. So far I'm doing well this year. One of the hardest parts I have found out is how physical this job is at five or more days a week. When Friday comes around I can't wait for a day or two of rest. But there are still a thousand things to attend to, estimates, repairs, employees, billing, people slow to pay or not paying at all, loading up equipment for the next day etc. It's hard for me to just shut my mind off of work one hundred percent. Lots of responsibilities and tons of stress but still worth it.
yarightdawg
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No need. ... its always the same old grind , just remind yourself someone somewhere is working harder for a lot less
realizing how much time is involved has been a big wake up call to me, so now working on ways to make more efficient use of that time. Like the others have said it is a realistic budget for a small set up, so accordingly your target will be the smaller jobs. Networking with other local contractors will also be helpful. good luck
Best thing you can do is get a little bigger budget and buy yourself a decent dump body truck. Obviously I'm a fan of old Chevys. K30 duallys with a mason dump are everywhere and can be had cheap. They are also as reliable as a truck gets and parts are cheap. If you can find one with a big block even better. Then you can rent a chipper and you won't have to unload wood by hand which sucks.
Yeah, that'll keep him out of trouble when he's not cutting trees. Lol
Huh?
Wrenching on the rusty old Chevy will keep him busy. Leaking gas tanks, fuel and brake lines, etc.
That said, they are a good starter truck. We just fit all of yesterdays job in one load in my 88, just had to pull some chips down with the cleanup shovel to fit the last bit. Reminded me of old times (my international is in the shop).
Ooohhhh I gotcha lol the key is to get a southern truck!
Yeah, but 4x4 is key, Bob. Not sure how easy it would be to find a southern one ton 4x4 dump? The thought is nice though!!
Very true. That's why the best thing to do is build a Chevy from the ground up. Southern 1 ton cab and chassis frame with 14bolt and dana60 with Detroit lockers out of a military. Np205 twin sticked with an SM465 and a big block to finish it off.
mckeetree
Addicted to ArboristSite
OK. Haha.
You don't need a top handle tree saw; that just encourages the bad habit of using only one hand to new climbers. You are always supposed to use two hands anyway, and the short, boxy little top handled saws are more dangerous. I climbed for many years with only my McCulloch 10-10s; quite the boat anchor compared to any arborist saw you can buy now.
That being said, I don't know of any top handled saw that is a lemon. More money generally equals more power. Buy something real light, then use a normal saw for bigger branches.
KenJax Tree
Terraphobic
The new Echo 355T will cut more than mustard.
Ya it could probably cut the sandwich the mustard is on
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