timbertree
ArboristSite Lurker
Looking at adding to the fleet. Take into consideration that customers are putting up more fences these days and house are being built closer. Which bucket truck is better a forestry unit or rear mount?
bucket truck
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arbor pro
Addicted to ArboristSite
You're going to get replies all over the board with a question like this. I've owned both and have sold both and am now using only a 55' towable lift. Each type of boom has it's own place in this industry. The only person who can answer your question is you. It all depends on how many people will be working on a crew, what other equipment you have, how close you need to get to your work, what working height you need, etc, etc, etc.
If you run small crews and you already have a chipper, a forestry unit will allow you to minimize equipment on the job by acting as both your bucket truck and cleanup truck. However, if your crew size and work load will support the extra equipment, I much prefer a rear-mount bucket so I can back into the site and have the truck more protected from debris. It also leaves a seperate truck clear of the area for cleanup.
In addition, if you're doing work around power lines, remember that you're not supposed to chip while operating the boom (on a forestry unit) as touching a charged line with a boom may conduct electricity through the truck and chipper to the chipper operator. If you want to cleanup while the boom is in operation, get a rear-mount and keep the chip truck seperate. JMO.
If you run small crews and you already have a chipper, a forestry unit will allow you to minimize equipment on the job by acting as both your bucket truck and cleanup truck. However, if your crew size and work load will support the extra equipment, I much prefer a rear-mount bucket so I can back into the site and have the truck more protected from debris. It also leaves a seperate truck clear of the area for cleanup.
In addition, if you're doing work around power lines, remember that you're not supposed to chip while operating the boom (on a forestry unit) as touching a charged line with a boom may conduct electricity through the truck and chipper to the chipper operator. If you want to cleanup while the boom is in operation, get a rear-mount and keep the chip truck seperate. JMO.
sharkfin12us
ArboristSite Operative
I have forestry truck with aerial lift.Like the last guy says rear mount and foresty have benifits.Small crew forestry,large crew rear mount.Bucket get diesel if you can.Stay away from teco,sky walker booms.I was told aerial lift,altec,ranger in that order for booms.Stay away from GMC hard to get parts.
mckeetree
Addicted to ArboristSite
To me forestry units are only suited for power line trimming. The first rear mount flatbed I used convinced me then and there that is the way to go and that is all we buy. If you are some guy that wants to keep it down to one truck I guess you would have to consider a forestry unit. I just don't like them for residential tree work.
I like my forestry unit, because when we are using it we also pull the chipper. So instead of taking two trucks we take can take one. I only use it in open areas such as driveways or streets or unimanicured lawns. If getting close enough to the tree will be a pain we use our spiderlift. If I only had one aerial lift I would have a rear mount instead of the forestry unit.
BTW: doesn't matter if you have one truck or a 10 truck fleet. When I can conserve fuel, I do it. No sense in bringing an extra truck if you don't need to. The extra truck could be on another job making money.
BTW: doesn't matter if you have one truck or a 10 truck fleet. When I can conserve fuel, I do it. No sense in bringing an extra truck if you don't need to. The extra truck could be on another job making money.
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TexasTreemonkey
ArboristSite Operative
how do the forestrys or rear mounts compare in alley where the secondaries are right above the cable lines then the primarys r above them ten feet or so? do you have to break them both over and go underneath or can you go between the secondary and the primary?
Justice
ArboristSite Operative
If your around the lines a lot, a center lift is a big plus. I don't know any residential companies that use them, only municipalities. Any one use a center lift for private work?
TexasTreemonkey
ArboristSite Operative
im wanting to buy a center lift but the main reason i want it cuz it looks like a tree truck and i can put my company name on the side of it. I started my company 3 years ago and can really use the advertisement.
clearance
Addicted to ArboristSite
Buddy, you should ask someone who is really qualified to answer that question in your area. I am allowed to pass under the primary and over the neutral and the secondaries if they are there that is. But there is a written work procedure here for this action. Also, look into di-electric testing of booms. No second chance with power. Not raggin on you, I care about your safety.
TexasTreemonkey
ArboristSite Operative
Man here in my hometown of 13000 nobody says ANYTHING about tree work or getting around the any powerlines. I ask the power company if i can brush the secondarirys or primary. sometimes they will come out and watch me brush the primary. haha the perks of small town livin
clearance
Addicted to ArboristSite
What is the name of the utility company?
ccrider2240
ArboristSite Operative
check this out
TX Tree Monkey, I might have what you are looking for and at a good price, 57' Highranger, center mount, 88 gmc w/ 3208 cat, auto tran. New hydro pump, good rubber, smooth running boom, drop me a line.
TX Tree Monkey, I might have what you are looking for and at a good price, 57' Highranger, center mount, 88 gmc w/ 3208 cat, auto tran. New hydro pump, good rubber, smooth running boom, drop me a line.
mckeetree
Addicted to ArboristSite
That is absolutely the strangest "main reason" I have ever heard of in my entire 30 years of being in and around this business to use as justification to acquire a certain piece of equipment.
OLD CHIPMONK
ArboristSite Guru
Any reason is a good reason if it saves climbng & all that other stuff !!! Take from someone with over 50 years in & around the business. I wish they would invent a laser that would trim, remove or get a tree stump out !!!!
mckeetree
Addicted to ArboristSite
I think you missed my point. He wants a chip box bucket instead of a rear mount just because he will have a bigger place to put his name grandpa.
ozarktreeman
ArboristSite Operative
I have rear mount 50ft:skylift flatbed,plenty of places to stick co,logos and numbers.have even had co,name on bottom of bucket.tend to have to redo quit a bit so stopped that.
As for chipper goes pretty fortunate here in my area,no need for chipbox usually just blow in woods or vacant wooded lot.Like the light weight of rear mount.Just depends on your area i guess
As for chipper goes pretty fortunate here in my area,no need for chipbox usually just blow in woods or vacant wooded lot.Like the light weight of rear mount.Just depends on your area i guess
ccrider2240
ArboristSite Operative
Give me a call when that lazer trimmer comes out ive always wanted one.
hornett224
ArboristSite Guru
be careful with a forestry package doing residentials.
i have seen too many guys get stuck after it was full of chips.a lot more weight than when they came in.i've seen a couple go through a septic tank as well.not pretty or cheap to get out. i'd go with the rear mount and hire a blimp for the advertising.
i have seen too many guys get stuck after it was full of chips.a lot more weight than when they came in.i've seen a couple go through a septic tank as well.not pretty or cheap to get out. i'd go with the rear mount and hire a blimp for the advertising.
mckeetree
Addicted to ArboristSite
I like it when people make sense and think like I do.
