one echo, one genie manlift, and a tree

[Patrick62]

A friend of mine requested that I remove a tree for her. Okay... I look the situation over, and decided that it is going to be topped and chunked down. Hauled my old Genie lift over there, and with Dan to help we got it done. Wasn't a really tall tree, the lift will go to 30 feet and isn't all the way up here.

While we doing this job today, we were asked if we could take down a cottonwood across the street.
Looked it over, and remove a branch or two, and drop the thing... a fairly easy removal, all things considered.
Not sure what to ask for on that one, but a signed disclaimer of liability is mandatory!!!

 

[BC WetCoast]

Figure out a hourly rate (labour, machine costs, fuel, insurance etc) and then estimate the number of hours it will take.

Give a quote, then get a signed contract. You can put the disclaimers in the contract. Do a search on this site, I think there are examples of different guy's contracts.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

And be careful! That lift is not designed for tree work.

 

[Zale]

That lift is not a good idea. I see bad things happening i.e. branch swings the wrong way and nocks your ass over, control cable getting ripped off while branches swing by it. If it only goes up 30 feet, learn how to climb.

 

[Patrick62]

Update!
Oh, we got that little tree down all right. The reason for the lift was that I don't think climbing it was very sensible. Unsure about the structural of it due to root rot. Also, no climbing gear on hand aside from a ancient pair of buckinhams...

Meanwhile I am talking to one of my firewood customers and we are looking over a rather LARGE ponderosa in his backyard. Thinkin' about putting it on the ground at some point. Nothing to hit.... easy fall. Except it is 36" DBH. I can do it.... but gonna charge for it!

Then there is another one in the front yard. House, wires, other trees. A mess. I said "Steve, that is gonna be a $1000 tree". Going to have to get a 60' manlift here and chunk it down. A fine mess. You guys would climb that one easily enough. You'd still charge a bunch to take it down.

 

[Zale]

Just remember those rental lifts are not designed to be used around wires. I imagine you are also not qualified to work around wires. Sometimes it makes sense to hire someone who is.

 

[sac-climber]

Patrick62's new username: Aerial(lift) Arborist

 

[Patrick62]

Just for the fun of it....
I might mention.... I own the lift. Which is exactly why I used it here. Oh, there were no live wires in the vicinity. The lift runs on a battery. considering the actual condition of a 35 year old manlift.... it is "probably" unsafe as well. It wobbles a bit past 20 ft.... Maybe it is just me that wobbles past 20 ft??

I actually am (or was) "trained" (if you use that term loosely enough) to operate various man lifts, rough terrain forklifts, etc. Mostly a matter of common sense, and don't operate dangerous equipment. I have used that lift for years to access light fixtures, some of which were "live". I preferred my lift as it was not grounded... try that a few times... 30 foot lift plugged into a outlet. Sometimes the lift would be "hot" and ya touch a grounded fixture and get blasted... Sometimes the fixture was "hot" and ya lift is grounded.... either way it makes for a interesting "ride". I have had to have my partner pull the plug on them on many ocassions. Battery lift was far better. And it was/is way faster getting ya up to the task.

 

[Zale]

I stand corrected. Sounds like you have all your bases covered. As a experienced light bulb changer, removing a tree around power lines should be a piece of cake.

 

[Downer]

I stand corrected. Sounds like you have all your bases covered. As a experienced light bulb changer, removing a tree around power lines should be a piece of cake.

That right there is damn funny!!