Dumping Configurations

[1984 Noob]

So i'm starting a tree business



should i buy an f250 + dump trailer


or go straight for the dump truck.



how did you guys start out?

 

[treepres1]

starting out

i would say buy a small to med. size dump truck you can find a nice 14 ft. former nelson truck and cut part of the roof and make it taller and open the back to be able to load into.plus have underbody tool boxs for gear and you can pick up a used chipper.iactually have a few for sale.i have bought a truck like this for about 6700.nice shape.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

If you plan on getting a chipper than get a dump.

 

[Koa Man]

I started out with a F150 long bed, then a F250 with a flatbed dump, then a Hino FD 14 ft. flatbed dump. I now have a Dodge 2500, Dodge 3500 9' flatbed dump, International 4300 14 ft. X 6 ft. high chipper dump and a 6X10 dump trailer. A medium duty truck with a 12 ft. bed would be good for starters. Tool boxes are very important....you don't want to be loading and unloading gear from the bed several times a day. You will be surprised at the amount of brush you can stuff in even a 10 ft. long bed, if you stack and mulch it up.

 

[CaseyForrest]

Well, if you have to buy a truck AND a trailer, why not get both dump? That way to can make two deliveries on one trip.

 

[PTS]

I have to say Dump Trailer. The reason is that a dump truck is just that and you can only really use it for that. If you by a dump trailer then you have a truck that is still usable for other things. Plus throwing brush... You can only throw it so high so by using a dump trailer you can throw more on with less effort. The base of the trailer is lower to the ground is what I am getting at. Once you graduate into a chipper then your dump trailer can be converted into the Firewood or log hauler.

There are a million designs for dump trailers so my advise is no scissor lift because they don't lift as much, get one at least 14,000 GVWR with dual lifting cylinders, as thick of a floor as you can find and a tail gate that comes down, opens from the bottom, swings left and swings right. Mine is a Baker Built Trailer. I just use if for firewood and logs now but started the same way you are.

Then if you have to travel any large distance to dump your brush may need to cover it by law. So what I found works best and is cheap is go and buy some orange snow fence which is a mesh type plastic fence. Put to pieces side by side and zip tie them together and then role it back up. Just throw it over your load and bungee cord it down. If it rips or gets lost, who care is was super cheap and easily replaceable. I had one of the expensive covers and every time it came back ripped it torqued my off so that was my solution.

 

[PTS]

May want to check out the Arborist 101 Forum on this web site. It is designed for people just starting out.

 

[treeman82]

PTS, he may have a problem with a 14,000 lb trailer. Reason being, 14,000>10,000. 10,001+ = CDL time.

 

[SimonCX]

cdl

I was told by the FMCSA and nj dmv that cdl was needed only if the combined truck and trailer was 26000 or more. Asked about towing a 12k trailer and they said it doesnt matter as long as I under 26000.

 

[CaseyForrest]

Secretary of State law here in MI is doesnt matter whats pulling the trailer, if the trailer is rated over 10,000 GVW you must have a class A CDL. It may be a federal law, not sure.

 

[Tree Frog]

I have to say Dump Trailer. The reason is that a dump truck is just that and you can only really use it for that. If you by a dump trailer then you have a truck ...my off so that was my solution.

I appreciate the information. I am currently thinking about purchasing one also. I have a trailer that I use and end up looking like chevy chase with the christmas raindeer now and again when I am dumping my brush.

 

[ASD]

the dot guy in town 10k trailer is class A cdl regardless of whats towing it in the usa

hear in ca. you should see the amount of trailers with skid steers that get stopped a the inspection stations or just past them !

it's like fishing in the bath tub.

 

[ASD]

truck weights in ca.

0 to 26000 class C

26001 to 33000 class B

33001 up class A

trailers 10000 and up class A regardless of what the tow rig is

also if towing a trailer your gross weight determines the class lic. 19000 lb. truck +8000 lb. trailer =27000 = class B

 

[Tree Frog]

COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE PROGRAM
Back to Driver Services Home Page DOT medical card requirements

Who Must Obtain a CDL
Idaho's Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Program is designed to improve safety on our highways while meeting federal requirements for testing and licensing of all commercial drivers. You must have a CDL to operate any of the following commercial vehicles:

1. Combination vehicle with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided that the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the towed unit is greater than 10,000 pounds,

2. Single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds,

3. Vehicle designed to transport 16 or more persons (including the driver),

4. Any size vehicle that requires hazardous material placards.

Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the manufacturer's assigned weight rating for the vehicle (truck, bus, or trailer), not the vehicle's registered weight. On trucks, the GVWR is usually found on a metal identification plate inside the driver's door. On trailers, it may be found anywhere but is commonly found on the front of the trailer on the driver's side. For Idaho, in the absence of a GVWR, the actual weight of the vehicle plus it's heaviest load is considered to be the GVWR. Other states may use other definitions.

Gross combined weight rating (GCWR), is figured by adding the GVWR of each unit of a combination vehicle.


This was taken from the Idaho DMV Site. How do the federal guidelines and DOT differ so much? Any thing under 26,000lbs is rated Non-CDL. ???????

 

[ASD]

WITH A CLASS A LICENSE:
Any legal combination of vehicles, including
vehicles under Class B and Class C.
WITH A CLASS A FIRE FIGHTER LICENSE:
Only Class A defined combination fire fighting vehicles and all
vehicles listed under Class C and Class B.
WITH A CLASS A NONCOMMERCIAL LICENSE:
Any vehicles under Class C.
WITH A CLASS B LICENSE:
•a
single vehicle with a
GVWR of more than 26,000 lbs.
• a
3-axle vehicle weighing over 6,000 lbs.
• a
bus (
except a
trailer bus), with endorsement
•any farm labor vehicle, with endorsement
• all vehicles under Class C
WITH A CLASS B FIRE FIGHTER LICENSE:
Only a Class B defined single fire fighting vehicle and all the vehicles
listed under Class C.
WITH A CLASS B NONCOMMERCIAL LICENSE:
• any vehicles under Class C
•any housecar over 40' but not over 45', with endorsement
WITH A CLASS C LICENSE:
• a
2-axle vehicle with a
GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less
• a
3-axle vehicle weighing 6,000 lbs. or less gross
• any housecar of 40' or less
•a
motorized scooter
A farmer or employee of a farmer may also drive:
• any combination of vehicles with a
Gross Combination Weight
Rating (GCWR) of 26,000 lbs. or less if used exclusively in agricultural
operations and it is not for hire or compensation.
WITH A CLASS C COMMERCIAL LICENSE:
Any Class C vehicle carrying hazardous materials which requires
placards. The hazardous materials (HAZMAT) endorsement must be
on the license. Drivers who transport hazardous wastes, as defined
by VC §§353 and 15278, are also required to have the HAZMAT
endorsement.
WITH A CLASS M1 LICENSE:
Two-wheel motorcycle or motor-driven cycle.
WITH A CLASS M2 LICENSE:
Motorized bicycle, moped, or any bicycle with an attached motor.
AND YOU MAY TOW…
CALIFORNIA DRIVER LICENSE CLASSES—Valid As Of January 1, 2005
• any single vehicle with a
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (
GVWR) of more than 10,000 lbs.
• any trailer bus, with endorsement OR more than one vehicle, with endorsement
• any vehicles under Class B
and C
• a
single vehicle with a
GVWR of more than 10,000 lbs.
• any vehicle under Class C
and Class B
• more than one vehicle, with endorsement
• travel trailers weighing over 10,000 lbs. GVWR, not used for hire.
• 5th-wheel travel trailers weighing over 15,000 lbs., not used for hire.
With a vehicle weighing 4,000 lbs. or more unladen, you may tow a:
livestock trailer exceeding 10,000 lbs. GVWR but not exceeding 15,000 lbs. GVWR if the
vehicle is controlled and operated by a farmer, used to transport livestock to or from a farm,
not used in commerce or contract carrier operations, and is used within 150 miles of the
person’s farm.
• a
single vehicle with a
GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less
• any vehicle under Class C
• a
single vehicle with a
GVWR of 10,000 lbs. or less including a
tow dolly, if used.
With a vehicle weighing 4,000 lbs. or more unladen, you may tow a:
• trailer coach not exceeding 9,000 lbs. gross.
• trailer coach or 5th-wheel travel trailer under 10,000 lbs. GVWR when towing is not for
compensation
• 5th-wheel travel trailer exceeding 10,000 lbs. but not exceeding 15,000 lbs. GVWR, when
towing is not for compensation and with endorsement.
NOTE: No passenger vehicle regardless of weight, may tow more than one vehicle. No
motor vehicle under 4,000 lbs. unladen may tow any vehicle weighing 6,000 lbs. or more
gross. (VC §21715)
NOTES:
• Class M1 or M2 is added to any other class license after passing law and skill tests.
• A
Class M1 or M2 license no longer meets the requirements for a motorized scooter.

 

[ASD]

fl. dmv

CLASS A: Any Tractor/Trailer combination that has a GVWR of 26,001 LBS. or more, provided towed vehicle is more than 10,000 LBS.

CLASS B: Any single motor vehicle that has a GVWR of 26,001 LBS. or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle of 10,000 LBS. or less.

CLASS C: Any motor vehicle that has a GVWR of less than 26,001 LBS. when endorsements "H" or "P" would be required on the driver license OR any combination of motor vehicles where the towing vehicle is less than 26,001 LBS. GVWR and the towed vehicle has a GVWR of 10,000 LBS. or less, but together they weigh 26,001 LBS. or more.


Back

NonCommercial Driver Licenses
CLASS E: Any non-commercial motor vehicle with GVWR less than 26,001 LBS.

Effective July 1, 2005, Class D licenses were converted to Class E. Drivers may continue to possess valid Class D licenses until their licenses are renewed or otherwise reissued. This includes farmers and emergency vehicle operators who are exempt from commercial driver license requirements.
A resident who holds a valid Florida operator license may continue to operate vehicles for which a CLASS E driver license is required, until the operator license expires.
16 year olds cannot drive from 11 PM to 6 AM unless accompanied by 21 year old licensed driver or driving to and from work.
17 year olds cannot drive from 1 AM to 5 AM unless accompanied by 21 year old licensed driver or driving to and from work.

 

[PTS]

My advise from this old cop is check your states rules and regs. Iowa allows for a 14,000 and I know when we were in Louisiana they only allowed 12,000. I guess that is an advantage of being from a farm state.

 

[Tree Frog]

Question: If traveling to another state and the standards change, do you have to comply with the state that you are in or the state that the licensed in? :bang:

 

[PTS]

The state that you are in rules. So before traveling there are books you can buy which will tell you every states rules and regs. However around here we never messed with the out of state people on things concerning vehicle configuration, weight, window tint, things like that. It was mainly speeding, insurance, seatbelts. Officer discretion can go a long ways.

 

[treeman82]

Around here 18,000 - 26,000 is class C. Class B is 26,001 and up, but can't tow a trailer of more than 10,000.