okstatearborist
New Member
I am looking into purchasing a clam truck in order to increase crew productivity. Any thoughts on things I should look for/avoid?
Clam Trucks?
- Thread starter okstatearborist
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My first clam I bought for $11,500. It was a 1985 Ford LT8000 with a 2000 Prentice 120E. I put $17,500 into it; got everything tight and up to par. Fixed Leaks, repacked spool valves, did some engine work, and a few pins and bushings, etc . My current truck is a 2002 Kenworth T800 With a 2007 Serco 8500. I bought it for 60k and have put 20k into it. It could use more but at some point you have to draw the line.
Grapple trucks are great but you'll find that people beat the crap out of them. Its hard to find a good truck that has been maintained for a reasonable price. Having said that. Check for leaks on engine, tranny, diffs, spool valves, cylinders, rotator. Check coolant for impurities (fuel/oil). Check for worn pins and bushings, check main bearing on house. Brakes, air leak down, tire depth. Frame bolts, if its doubled check for separation/splitting between frames. Pull the bellows off the turbo and check the bearing. If it passes your inspection take it to a Dealer, not some schmuck, and have them tell you what's wrong with it, have them pull an oil sample. It might cost you $200 for all that, but it will be worth it.
I would also put some money aside for repairs, say 10k.
Grapple trucks are great but you'll find that people beat the crap out of them. Its hard to find a good truck that has been maintained for a reasonable price. Having said that. Check for leaks on engine, tranny, diffs, spool valves, cylinders, rotator. Check coolant for impurities (fuel/oil). Check for worn pins and bushings, check main bearing on house. Brakes, air leak down, tire depth. Frame bolts, if its doubled check for separation/splitting between frames. Pull the bellows off the turbo and check the bearing. If it passes your inspection take it to a Dealer, not some schmuck, and have them tell you what's wrong with it, have them pull an oil sample. It might cost you $200 for all that, but it will be worth it.
I would also put some money aside for repairs, say 10k.
ducaticorse
Addicted to ArboristSite
I just bought one, and I'm selling it. F the overhead........ Unless I start doing over half a mil a year gross, I'll pay a hundo a pick up from the mill........
Is it better to buy the truck grapple and box separate or complete unit? I am still looking for a truck.
Any suggestions where to look?
Treecare
ducaticorse
Addicted to ArboristSite
You're probably going to get the best pricing buying them together. Depends on what your budget is.
Where to look/ How far do you want to travel for the right piece?
I have a couple of friends with trucking companies so for the right price and setup I have the resources to pick it up.
Thank you sir
ducaticorse
Addicted to ArboristSite
Search CL, look at treetrader. There are plenty of auctions around too. Look on Ebay motors. They are certainly out there.. How much do you want to spend?
Thank you for the info I see trucks from low to high price small market for them.
ducaticorse
Addicted to ArboristSite
Let's try it this way.
What are you looking to spend?
What size truck would you like? GVWR/Length/box/dumper/loader type.
What are you primarily going to be using it for?
Looking to spend 20k to 40k
20ft box dump 30 to 40 yards. Automatic transmission tri axle. Is there such a animal?
You will be better off buying a truck already set up. If u have a 100k to burn I would suggest possibly building one. The T800 I bought took 128k to originally build and that was with a used tractor. Everything else was new. The boxes and loaders can vary indefinetly depending on type, brand, quality, newness. To do a mount and wet kit with no frame lengthening is 5-7k. A good box is 15-30k. Good Loaders are 15-25k used and new around 50k plus a grapple of choice 2-6k. Also to be considered is what style of hydraulic system to use. There are many. I currently have a twin line pressure, which is a slick setup. Its insanely fast while alowing both sticks to be operated with no lag in speed.
ducaticorse
Addicted to ArboristSite
40K will get you something mid-small sized and decent. 20K will get you small sized, and will need work. You also have to take into account fuel, insurance and reg. They are a total C--t with heavy trucks.
Thank you very good information.
lego1970
ArboristSite Guru
The only things I would add is,
1. Search Truckpaper, under log trucks. Most the one's I see are pretty beat the crap out of, but occasionaly they get a decent looking one at a decent price.
2. Regardless if you buy a Prentice, Hood, Serco, or whatever, If you plan on trying to pick up large rootballs, or save long logs for a mill, try to get one that is at least rated for 7000lbs. Also extended upper booms are pretty handy. While I'm at it, two sticks, 360 turret, and 360 knuckles.....it's only money
3. If you can get in with some of the big scrap metal yards they can get you some extra work and metal has been paying pretty good for the last 18 months. However, scrap metal yards are hard on tires and your box, but you could probably keep a driver busy full time going between scrap and tree work so the revenue keeps coming in.
4. I don't know where you at in Colorado but if you do work in Kansas check with their Ad Valorem tax and see if it applies to you. I don't think it does but better safe then sorry. They used to not enforce that tax but since they did away with MC#'s and introduced USDOT#'s they have and it's not cheap, especially if they hit you for back taxes.
Good luck.
1. Search Truckpaper, under log trucks. Most the one's I see are pretty beat the crap out of, but occasionaly they get a decent looking one at a decent price.
2. Regardless if you buy a Prentice, Hood, Serco, or whatever, If you plan on trying to pick up large rootballs, or save long logs for a mill, try to get one that is at least rated for 7000lbs. Also extended upper booms are pretty handy. While I'm at it, two sticks, 360 turret, and 360 knuckles.....it's only money
3. If you can get in with some of the big scrap metal yards they can get you some extra work and metal has been paying pretty good for the last 18 months. However, scrap metal yards are hard on tires and your box, but you could probably keep a driver busy full time going between scrap and tree work so the revenue keeps coming in.
4. I don't know where you at in Colorado but if you do work in Kansas check with their Ad Valorem tax and see if it applies to you. I don't think it does but better safe then sorry. They used to not enforce that tax but since they did away with MC#'s and introduced USDOT#'s they have and it's not cheap, especially if they hit you for back taxes.
Good luck.
thank you
Thank you sir.
Thank you sir.
The only things I would add is,
1. Search Truckpaper, under log trucks. Most the one's I see are pretty beat the crap out of, but occasionaly they get a decent looking one at a decent price.
2. Regardless if you buy a Prentice, Hood, Serco, or whatever, If you plan on trying to pick up large rootballs, or save long logs for a mill, try to get one that is at least rated for 7000lbs. Also extended upper booms are pretty handy. While I'm at it, two sticks, 360 turret, and 360 knuckles.....it's only money
3. If you can get in with some of the big scrap metal yards they can get you some extra work and metal has been paying pretty good for the last 18 months. However, scrap metal yards are hard on tires and your box, but you could probably keep a driver busy full time going between scrap and tree work so the revenue keeps coming in.
4. I don't know where you at in Colorado but if you do work in Kansas check with their Ad Valorem tax and see if it applies to you. I don't think it does but better safe then sorry. They used to not enforce that tax but since they did away with MC#'s and introduced USDOT#'s they have and it's not cheap, especially if they hit you for back taxes.
Good luck.
wheelloader123
ArboristSite Operative
I have two Mack grapple trucks that I am about to put up for sale. As the gentleman stated earlier, most used grapples you find need work (and that work can be expensive). I have owned these trucks since 2004 and have been completely through both of them. Our local Mack dealer went completely through the trucks, and our local Hood dealer went completely through the loaders. One is a Mack DM with a Hood 7000 loader and full brush grapple, the other is a Mack R model with a Hood 8000 loader and full brush grapple. I have approximately $80000 to $84000 in each truck for a total investment of over $160000. I would probably be willing to sell one for an amount almost in your price range. You would be welcome to take it to a dealer for inspection prior to purchase.
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