Puttin that new chipper/dump to work!

[Kaptain_K]

Made the trek to Detroit area and got my Chipper/Dump combo on the trailer. It's awesome, I've done a brush pile yesterday and today. Absolutely perfect for the niche I want to use it for. Eco-friendly brush recycling. I come in, clean up the flora and fauna, and leave a pile of fresh chips for the homeowner. Nothing new (i.e. weed seeds, disease, 'unquestionable origin', etc.) is brought on the property. Seems to be important to the people I've talked to. Most seem to shy away from the 'free' chips. But this approach is much different. This is 'Eco-friendly' and they feel good about being efficient by recycling their own brush and trimmins, without any concern about what is in the chips. I 'make it for them' on the spot. I had two neighbors come over the day I parked it in the driveway. I quoted some work for the first one, and the second didn't even want to know my price. He just said 'That's a sweet setup, come do my pile and send me the bill'. The best part is, I am finally able to fulfill my promise to my dog that we will someday go into business together. He hasn't left my side since last Friday. Poor fella has spent the entire 4 years of his life all alone at home all day, that bothered me as much as my own misery at the office. So, the new adventure begins. I won't even go into the 5 jobs for $6,600 my buddy just lined up for his company. He'll sub me in on every one of them. To be completed by weeks end. I really think I am gonna like this. I made bank by 10am today. The dog and I spent the rest of the day setting up biz bank accounts, getting biz cards, stopping at every house with a brush pile in the back yard, etc.
Kap't K

 

[fwf]

Sounds like you're on your way! Can you provide any more info or a link for the chipper/dump you bought?

Joe

 

[Kaptain_K]

Sure. It's in the Used Equipment forum on this site! It's described well there. It is a Promark, later to become Gravely (the chipper on the unit is the Gravely Pro 310). I have the manual and parts list, and even contact info for the guy who built them at Promark back in 1989. Jeff, owner of Earthwerks excavation was a pleasure to do biz with! He met me earlier than planned, shuttled me around town getting a proper drop hitch, and was honest about everything, and just really went out of his way to be a good guy. I appreciated that after a 10 hour drive at 7Mpg in the dually. $450 in gas, dang I didn't see that coming. Brush Bandit has an option for a similar setup, but they show no photos or any details on their site. Other than that, the only ones I've seen have been fabricated. On mine, I have already figured out how to turn the air intake into a leaf vacuum. I was planning to pull the chipper in the fall and mount a big vacuum for leaf pickup, but this unit will work! I swear I know the guy who had the first leaf vac in the US like 20 years ago here in town. He would typically gross $50-$60k during leaf season. Poor guy, I could never convince him to hire more workers and get crews running. He could have tripled that with all the work he'd turn away. Not me. In 10 years I'll be running an office and coordinating crews from my boat. That's the plan anywho....

K

 

[dhuffnmu]

Hey Kaptain K,

Which city did you come to Michigan to pick that thing up. You probably were only a few mins from me. I could have shuttled you around also, but sounds like you did o.k...

 

[Kaptain_K]

The guy lives in Flat Rock, near the speedway. I fed it 17 cedar trees today. Everything but the trunks. Made some great looking cedar mulch which I had no problem unloading at a neighbors when i got home tonight. Lined up 3 more jobs today....coming out hot!

K

 

[dhuffnmu]

Good Job Kaptain K,

I think you went the right route on buying what you did. Flat Rock is about 35-45 minutes south of me yet. Glad to hear you are getting some work.