Getting into the business......retirement?

[bdavey]

I keep thinking because of my family name I should get back into the business, started many years ago w/old UHaul truck and an Whisper chipper. Then I joined the corporate world and 33 yrs later here I am, old but still willing to start a career I always loved....... I am looking at a 95ish Ford F800 5.9 Cummins w/Aerial Lift of Conn. AL50 , 135K miles, boom was gone thru 3 yrs ago with all the recommended pistons, rods,packings,drive cables and 580' of hose. I have always been under the impression its better to have a gas/diesel truck engine with a pony motor for the lift type combination truck, what do you think a truck of this character would be worth?
Next is chipper choice, from what I have read the bandit sounds like the prime choice! Is disc better than drum? The old Asplundh whisper chipper 9" w/4 cyl Ford industrial worked pretty well, it beat you to death, but thats when I was 20 and healed quicker. Appreciate the pro's advice. thanks, the rookie......

 

[fishercat]

Depends on your economy down there.

only guys here that are busy are the guys with a good rep or who are dirt cheap.it's still not like it was two or three years ago.

 

[bdavey]

Thinking part-time business

Thanks for the reply FisherCat! With Hurricane Ike coming thru the Ohio Valley last Sept. + a pretty rough ice storm in Feb, theres plenty of work. I do plan to set a reasonable price, not looking to make a fortune. Curious what opinions you might have on the equipment I am looking to purchase.

 

[fishercat]

good luck!

i didn't notice what height that bucket truck was.i would try and get at least a 64'.i like rear mounts for residential work.some guys don't.you add a lot of weight with a full load driving out of someones yard than when you came in.

whisper chippers are nice but i like Disc chippers like the bandit 200 or 250 xp.if you are going to have workers and they aren't careful with a whisper chipper,someone is going to get hurt.not much room for error with those.

 

[limbwalker54]

So I suppose you are an avid climber and light on your feet as well as an experienced aerial lift operator? I'm not so sure if the "jumping in" mentality will be a healthy choice for someone who wants to fulfill a dream. You might want to go out and work with someone for a few months and get re-acquainted with the work? Just a thought. I don't want to read about you in the accident briefs in TCIA Magazine.

 

[outofmytree]

So I suppose you are an avid climber and light on your feet as well as an experienced aerial lift operator? I'm not so sure if the "jumping in" mentality will be a healthy choice for someone who wants to fulfill a dream. You might want to go out and work with someone for a few months and get re-acquainted with the work? Just a thought. I don't want to read about you in the accident briefs in TCIA Magazine.

:agree2:

I would have a run with another crew for a little while and make sure that your body is up to the challenge. No disrespect intended but 50+ is an advanced age to start in the industry. At least if you work for someone else for a couple of months you will have a risk free trial.

I love my Bandit 1590 !!

 

[ropensaddle]

i didn't notice what height that bucket truck was.i would try and get at least a 64'.i like rear mounts for residential work.some guys don't.you add a lot of weight with a full load driving out of someones yard than when you came in.

whisper chippers are nice but i like Disc chippers like the bandit 200 or 250 xp.if you are going to have workers and they aren't careful with a whisper chipper,someone is going to get hurt.not much room for error with those.

The fact is; whispers are not the ones killing I forget the post but someone posted an article that stated disk or slow feed chipper had the only documented fatality. The user was using his foot to push limbs into the rolls and slipped got intangled and the rest made history. I have used whispers 25 years with no serious injuries just an occasional whipping The whisper is durable productive on brush low maintenance machine. Beware of ropes cables anything which may get hung into the brush could become a problem if it wrapped you up!

 

[Grais]

At 50 yrs old, you need a self feeding chipper. While I am sure you have many valuable years of working left in you, why beat on the body if you dont have too. A self feeder is just that much easier on the whole crew.
Generally self feeders will be the disc variety. 'Bandits' rock have used them for years always a reliable brush muncher.
Lately we have just started using a Vermeer BC1000(IIRC), its the latest and greatest for its size ranger, and is a nice chipper. though I tend to think all the bells and whistles(computer on board, etc etc...) are things that will eventually break down, only time will tell the tale there.
To the truck......
Buy the tallest boom you can afford, search, search, search(the Internet is your friend remember), and don't be afraid to cross a few state lines, sometimes driving 1000 miles is worth it to get that truck you need.
It might not seem like much but that extra 5 ft will make your life much easier again.
Then again if the trees in your area of work are mostly shorties, perhaps you can get away with a shorty boom ? Great deals to be had on shorties.
Really something to think about, while you want the most boom you can get, if the trees are rarely taller than 75ft,perhaps a shorty would be a wise choice, hard to say from where I sit.
Good luck on this new chapter in your life.
ALWAYS be safe, and when in doubt, get another opinion, making it to the end of the day should always be priority # 1.
And remember too have fun, that is what you are after right.
Good luck friend,
-Grais.

 

[ropensaddle]

At 50 yrs old, you need a self feeding chipper. While I am sure you have many valuable years of working left in you, why beat on the body if you dont have too. A self feeder is just that much easier on the whole crew.
Generally self feeders will be the disc variety. 'Bandits' rock have used them for years always a reliable brush muncher.
Lately we have just started using a Vermeer BC1000(IIRC), its the latest and greatest for its size ranger, and is a nice chipper. though I tend to think all the bells and whistles(computer on board, etc etc...) are things that will eventually break down, only time will tell the tale there.
To the truck......
Buy the tallest boom you can afford, search, search, search(the Internet is your friend remember), and don't be afraid to cross a few state lines, sometimes driving 1000 miles is worth it to get that truck you need.
It might not seem like much but that extra 5 ft will make your life much easier again.
Then again if the trees in your area of work are mostly shorties, perhaps you can get away with a shorty boom ? Great deals to be had on shorties.
Really something to think about, while you want the most boom you can get, if the trees are rarely taller than 75ft,perhaps a shorty would be a wise choice, hard to say from where I sit.
Good luck on this new chapter in your life.
ALWAYS be safe, and when in doubt, get another opinion, making it to the end of the day should always be priority # 1.
And remember too have fun, that is what you are after right.
Good luck friend,
-Grais.

False I am only four years from 50 I kinda like the occasional whipping if you don't you have not used one long enough

 

[Grais]

False I am only four years from 50 I kinda like the occasional whipping if you don't you have not used one long enough

I stand corrected, trust me its not the first time.
Still a self feeder is just a much nicer chipper to work with, that is my opinion. Now FCS .
Take care guys, and stay safe,
-Grais.