equipment for a tree crew

[rahtreelimbs]

All the good equipment is a bust unless it is properly maintained. Consider rotating out maintenance on saws, checking ropes for wear, etc. This way no one person gets stuck with all the maintenance. Everyone will also learn how to do these tasks!

 

[treekiller]

yo

 

[Yellowdog]

You won't find me in the trees.. I only work from the ground and machines or with a pole saw.

Thanks for the advice!

Jason

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

There are a couple companies around here that give a "tool allowance" they provide the basices and give you so much a period to buy stuff you want, vs what you need.

It also is a way to keep people happy and hold down payroll costs.

 

[Yellowdog]

RE: chipper Dump

You guys have been a big help. We are putting together a list of the small stuff.
Anyone have any experience with the mini or insert chipper box/dumps that fit 1 ton trucks? We are looking at upgrading one of our 1 tons and going with a chipper dump like the "Lil' Chipster".

Thanks!

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I've worked around amny of them, they are fine for light pruning, but fill up too fast for removals. I know a number of guys towing 12 inch chippers with 1-tons.

If you build a box over the dump, make a peak in the top, like a dog house, the chips seem to go in better.

Keep boards for the sides and gate so that you can get that last little bit more in without having to go back from dumping.

 

[Yellowdog]

We are towing the BC2000 with a 1 ton and were considering adding another 1 ton with a chipper box on it. I was looking at two options. We already have 2 flatbed dually 4x4's and thought about getting a regular bed dually and one of those inserts. They take between 8.5 and 10 cubic yards of chips (according to specs). We will leave all land clearing chips on site but for pruning and cleanup would that be enough on smaller jobs? I know chips are light but have never hauled that many yards of chips and with the weight of the dump insert (comes with arched top) and weight of chipper (12600#), I didn't want to make a mistake with too small of a truck. It would be easier to stay away from residential, then, or get a dump trailer..

 

[Yellowdog]

Actually, the towing of a 1 ton new dodge is all the way up to 16.5K lbs. for the trailer alone. My Dodge is about 13.5k lbs.

 

[treeman82]

Not to rock the boat here about truck manufacturers, but if you are going to be pulling a chipper that size, and hauling 10 yards of chips on the back you are going to want at least an F550. Like Brian said though, an F650 / F750 / Topkick, etc would be perfect for that size chipper. Put a smaller, cheaper chip box on a 1 ton 4x4 for when you have to move around in the woods and such.

 

[Yellowdog]

Agreed.

Our company is trying to stay under 26.1 K GVWR and thus avoid commercial licenses. We do almost all ranches and "in the woods" and as such all our vehicles are 4wd (couldn't live without it).

I was thinking of having the guys do some residential. I like the 550 set up but it and the chipper would put me over the GVWR of 26, if I know my 550 specs right.

I really liked the way the specs read on the "lil chipster" for smaller jobs and hauling chips to and fro.

 

[treeman82]

You're gonna go overload in that type of set-up whether you use a 1 ton like a 3500, or a 3 ton like a 550. It's just a matter of how overloaded do you want to be. I believe the 550 can tow something like 13,000 lbs or something like that legally. Then it can haul in it's bed like 3 - 4 tons. Around here, if you are driving a rig where the trailer has a GVW of over 10,000 lbs you need a class A CDL. Not sure about down there though.

 

[Yellowdog]

Don't want to overload!

In Texas it is the gross combination weight rating. Anything over 26k, you need a commercial license. Even if you have an empty trailer rated at 10k and drive a 550, you need a commercial license because you are rated at above 26k (550 rated at 19k plus 10k trailer = 29k)

Well, I guess my question was answered. Sounds like chips get heavy when you get enough of them..

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

With that chipper, i would want more dump capacity. Using an International 4700 series or the like is one of the best I've used.

Add on the L-box forestry body and it is outstanding. PTo driven Hydraulic ram on the dump....

Freddie B. has an old Asplundh crew body that he really likes, that would come in handy with numerouse groundies.

 

[Yellowdog]

Just dreamin' but I saw a 14 foot chipper dump on a big truck with a bucket. That is a setup! Sorta like the Asplundh trucks I have seen. Alas, I will start small..

 

[Yellowdog]

Right now my bread and butter is whole tree chipping and land clearing. We are adding tree trimming as a separate service. Up until now, all of the lots I have cleared for homes and businesses, have been turned over to local climbers and their outfits. I get a little cleanup on the backside but why give away a hard earned customer? Where I am is very rural. I am lucky to work on a paved road much less a neighborhood. It would be nice to take the occasional load of chips home or deliver them to another customer or move them more efficiently onsite.
I have no intentions right now of driving up and down mainstreet usa and doing large takedowns or major trimming (not enough experience for one), however, there are a lot of 2 to 10 acre lots in this neck of the woods that have live oak and spanish oak trees that need attention..
Most of the other guys burn or haul off. I don't have a problem with using 200 hp to chip small stuff. It will do it faster and have less clogs at the opening and since we use a skid steer to bring material (usually) to a central chipping area, we only need a 1 ton truck to get the chipper from a to b then we would occasional or at least once a trip bring some chips back to the home base.

 

[Yellowdog]

Yes. We work in the woods mostly. There are a lot of erosion issues in the hill country and lots and lots and lots and lots of rocks. Most of our customers want the chips because they have tractors and will do something with them (compost, cover rocks, horse areas, etc.)

Oh, just caught the sarcasm. I'm so unassuming..

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

That was not sarcasm, but envy