I am narrowing my focus into the pieces of equipment needed to stand up a tree-and-land clearing business in Western NC. I plan to take on a mini-excavator* in the 4-5 ton range (say 10,000 lbs - 12,000 lbs).
I hope that I can choose a trailer that can both be used to deliver the excavator to the job site, and then be used during the work day for hauling and dumping.
Is it feasible to find a trailer that can do the following? -
1. Safely move a 4-5 ton mini-excavator
2. Have sides (stake pockets, etc) to be able to take 24"/48" walls?
3. Tilt to dump when needed? (unloading is likely to be a pain without tilt ability, yes?)
This shows the constraints of a start up. Just how much functionality can you squeeze out of your saws, single truck, excavator and trailer? If I get forum feedback that this is trying to do too much with not enough, then my Plan B would be to simply focus on clearing/bucking/stacking - and then partner with another small biz to do the hauling and dumping. All good - the most important thing is to get going with a defined outlay of capital and commitment. More equipment can be added when outrageous success makes itself evident!
The truck needed for all of this will I think be either ¾ ton or 1 ton range - probably the larger.
* after a lot of thinking, I am heading towards a mini-excavator over a skid loader because I think with the added attachments, it provides scope for the greatest range of work. And so much of what we're dealing with here after Helene involves blow-downs that are still hung and entangled with buildings, etc. Lots of material above ground that is going to have to be dealt with.
I hope that I can choose a trailer that can both be used to deliver the excavator to the job site, and then be used during the work day for hauling and dumping.
Is it feasible to find a trailer that can do the following? -
1. Safely move a 4-5 ton mini-excavator
2. Have sides (stake pockets, etc) to be able to take 24"/48" walls?
3. Tilt to dump when needed? (unloading is likely to be a pain without tilt ability, yes?)
This shows the constraints of a start up. Just how much functionality can you squeeze out of your saws, single truck, excavator and trailer? If I get forum feedback that this is trying to do too much with not enough, then my Plan B would be to simply focus on clearing/bucking/stacking - and then partner with another small biz to do the hauling and dumping. All good - the most important thing is to get going with a defined outlay of capital and commitment. More equipment can be added when outrageous success makes itself evident!
The truck needed for all of this will I think be either ¾ ton or 1 ton range - probably the larger.
* after a lot of thinking, I am heading towards a mini-excavator over a skid loader because I think with the added attachments, it provides scope for the greatest range of work. And so much of what we're dealing with here after Helene involves blow-downs that are still hung and entangled with buildings, etc. Lots of material above ground that is going to have to be dealt with.
