On the JOB Pics (not too much action though)

[Menchhofer]

Here is a pic of previous topped soft maple tree before....

 

[Menchhofer]

Here is after. Was not much to work with but did best we could.

 

[Menchhofer]

Now here is the worst part. Pics of us.

 

[Menchhofer]

Another.. Sorry, no real bucket action

 

[Menchhofer]

Another....

 

[Menchhofer]

Sold Used Bucket Truck

Sold my used truck this weekend to Steven Ramaekers of Nebraska Tree. Long drive....but interesting.

Steven is just starting his business and I wish him the best. He is starting out with a bucket which is a lot more than many of us had in the beginning. Seems to be very nice guy and eager to learn.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Have ya scratched yur new toy yet?

It sure does look sweet!

 

[Menchhofer]

Negative on the scratching.

I am going to great lengths to keep it looking good.

I waxed it a few days ago. With the boom in the rear and the extra height and reach, I am seeing it will be easier to keep from denting or scratching.

I will probably cry if I get a dent in it.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Is your headache rack covered?

 

[Menchhofer]

Originally posted by MasterBlaster
Is your headache rack covered?

I have noticed references to this in other posts but did not understand.

Please explain this concept to me. Perhaps I am missing something obvious.

 

[MasterBlaster]

A few sheets of plywood and some bolts can make a big difference, in several ways.

But it IS of more importance with front mounted booms. It wouldn't hurt a thing to do it to yours, though. I've used a headache rack as a LZ many times for brushy limbs I was handling in a tight spot.

And the shade part DOES come in handy!

 

[Lumberjack]

I bet he would shoot the person in the bucket if they used the headache rack as a LZ.




Well probably not, it would get the bucket all bloody

 

[Menchhofer]

Thanks guys. I will give it some serious thought. My first idea is that it might interfere with being able to see some stop lights at times.

 

[Menchhofer]

Yes I would shoot them, and yes the shade would be a major benefit helping the AC.

 

[MasterBlaster]

Originally posted by Lumberjack
I bet he would shoot the person in the bucket if they used the headache rack as a LZ.

Its not what you think, evidently. Its a regular practice working in tight places, under the right circumstances. But you can't be an idjet.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Just to stir up some trouble, I'd say you were heavy handed at trimming the Maple, were you getting paid by the pound?

The soil compactor you bought sure is pretty. Keep in mind it is a soil compactor and if your trimming trees, you're not helping them at all if you're driving on the soil.

Who was pictured, is one of them you?

 

[Guy Meilleur]

Originally posted by Mike Maas
Just to stir up some trouble, I'd say you were heavy handed at trimming the Maple, were you getting paid by the pound?

MM what % would you say was removed? 30%? 40%? It does look like a lot, but maybe not too much considering age and species.
Steve, did you contract with them for a followup in ~3 years?
Did you sell any work on the equally important part of the tree, below the ground?

Bigger question I think is decay at the old wounds. How deep was the rot? How good is the callus? Nice thing about buckets is you get an easy look at that from the outside.
Bad thing about buckets is compaction, but often you can park outside the CRZ so that's not an issue, right?

Yeah it's a nice truck; happy payment-making! If I bought something like that I'd hate the pressure to maintain it and pay for it. No payments, no pressure best for the simpleminded like me.

Good luck to Steven in NE with your old lemon, err, truck. He's got the mark of Zorro on his left arm, he can do anything now...

 

[Dadatwins]

Nice looking truck, City bought same unit mounted on a international 6 months ago and have not used it yet. Not enough staff to send it out. Definite on the plywood on the cage. More shade, keeps the cab cleaner, make sure you mount it with enough bolts & washers so it does not start rattling in a few months.

About the tree, curious why no tipping cuts at the top? Looks like some reduction made on sides but on soft maple especially one that has been previously topped like that one I would have tipped top back with pruner a few feet just to take some weight from possible decaying old cuts below. Not promoting topping before everyone gets fired up but my opinion is make some tip reduction especially on maple like that. Nice job otherwise, not much to work with like you said.

 

[Ax-man]

Steve.

I don't think you were heavy handed on the trimming as MM has stated, considering the species. Also, I agree with Data, I would have tipped it a little out on the ends. That tree has alot of crown to replace, the uncut leads are just going to lengthen out and get more leaf mass on them, which is going to put more strain on the topping cut union.

Steve's truck isn't that heavy, there is no chip box on it to add weight. I'm sure he didn't drive his truck onto the site, unless he had good dry ground conditions to support the truck, which would keep compaction to a minumum.

I'd bet Mench is the older guy, next to the truck. The younger one is his son.

To Neb. in Nebraska, Good luck, at least you got some thing to start out with early in your career. From the few pictures Mench has posted, it looks like he takes care of his equipment and keeps up with it. Anyone who can take on the responsibility of a new boom and thinks he can follow through with his contract has got to be doing some thing right.

Larry

 

[Menchhofer]

Yes, the vehicle was about 30 ft from the tree when we pruned it.

And I knew of should have taken the before and after pics from the same angle where it would show better for you all. The amount of live material removed was approximately 25% at most.

Actually, the vehicle is heavy..heavier than the one I sold with the forestry body if you can believe it. About 3 more ton.

Yes, I am the older guy, young guy is son. He has never topped a tree in his life and I want to keep him that way. I want some one in the future to ask him to top one and his reply will be "I do not know how top a tree, what are you talking about?"

This tree was topped back very hard years ago and as a result it contained lots of deadwood and limbs w/included bark that would have been major problems ahead. Other pics I did not show included closeups of the wounded areas and improper limb removals.

As I said, was not much to work with in one pruning.

I do not feel pressure from making the payments for I know I will have the vehicle until it dies and the real reward will come when I no longer have the payments, just like anything else.