Rear mount versus forestry package buckets

[gorman]

Can someone tell me what accounts for the huge increase in cost from a forestry bucket to a rear mount over center. Obviously there are two extra outriggers but do they really cost that much?

 

[sgreanbeans]

I was told that the rear mounts are always in better shape. The forestry unit can get beat on pretty bad, rear mounts are fewer and far between, usually go to a seasoned operator. The 4X4's are even more rare, and better kept. Better shape = more mula! I know my forestry unit was beat on, for sure, even have out house poetry written on the inside of the cab! I paid 20 for it, should been 10, band-aids everywhere.

 

[gorman]

I've been looking at used rear mounts and they don't seem to depreciate that much at all. 2006 trucks still commanding 75 grand. Seems like a great investment if I could afford it.

 

[tree MDS]

Its a crap shoot at best. Go and inspect it in person with a qualified mechanic/boom technician if you can, ideally.

Rear mount is way much more best! Lol. :biggrin:

 

[swyman]

I would love a rear mount, wait that didn't sound right. But it does not suit my operation because most of my groundies are young/no CDL so I would not let them drive another truck for fear of fines. I can see where you could really increase production with a rear mount though. Is the way to go if you have qualified help.

 

[superjunior]

Its a trade off really. A rear mount is going to get you into tighter places and closer to the tree. A forestry rig gives you another truck to chip into. For my needs I like having the forestry package cause having to stop chipping cause the chip truck is full can be a problem, especially if there is no where close to dump. Of course the best option would be to have both

 

[mattfr12]

their big money for a rear mount we paid a nice tune of 156 for a rear mount with 4x4 and elevator.

 

[gorman]

their big money for a rear mount we paid a nice tune of 156 for a rear mount with 4x4 and elevator.

Yea guy. That's a wee bit over my head for my first bucket. But why I posted in the first place is because I didn't know if there was something else to these elusive trucks other that the two extra outriggers. I think I may need to "settle" for a forestry setup.

 

[superjunior]

Yea guy. That's a wee bit over my head for my first bucket. But why I posted in the first place is because I didn't know if there was something else to these elusive trucks other that the two extra outriggers. I think I may need to "settle" for a forestry setup.

if your a good climber then you can "settle" for a forestry truck. you shouldn't need that extra reach and you'll have another chip truck for those big jobs. When I first left the nest my bucket was my chip truck. In fact I still got the old girl, and she's up for sale soon..

 

[Iustinian]

if your a good climber then you can "settle" for a forestry truck. you shouldn't need that extra reach and you'll have another chip truck for those big jobs. When I first left the nest my bucket was my chip truck. In fact I still got the old girl, and she's up for sale soon..

EXACTLY hahaha. My first climbing job after school I was stuck in the old chip truck, and promised that I'd get to be in the next bucket truck the company bought, which they did a month later. They kept hiring bucket queens, and since I could climb, no bucket truck for me lol. We had 3 crews on one property one day, and the latest stooge at the time dragged ass leaving the job at the end of the day, we were on our second case of beer at the shop and finally the gf was like wtf is he with my bucket truck!?!? Clive Police found him 5 minutes later in front of the Hyvee. His excuse for joyriding the brand new bucket truck for 2 1/2 hrs was "I had to drop a pack of cigs of to my girlfriend". Fired lol, and then the bucket truck got broke into and alot of gear stolen from it the following weekend. hmmmm.

I agree with the previous posters that forestry units are so often beat to hell...and it seems like there's a whole lot more of them out there, also contributing to why they are cheaper.

 

[tree MDS]

Yea guy. That's a wee bit over my head for my first bucket. But why I posted in the first place is because I didn't know if there was something else to these elusive trucks other that the two extra outriggers. I think I may need to "settle" for a forestry setup.

Lol, its hard for "The Bulldog" to relate to us commoners. I don't think he means to be annoying.

I think the reason the rear mounts are so much more expensive is simply that they're that much more in demand /desirable. You're right though, it does seem like a lot more goes into a forestry dump unit. ####ing thieves! Good point.

 

[Blakesmaster]

Most line clearance crews run mainly forestry's and dump them after about ten years keeping the market good and saturated. Rearmounts are mainly owned by smaller, residential companies so there is less of them available which is what keeps the cost up. It's true the most forestry's are beat on but if you can find one that was privately owned chances are that it will be in better shape and you can get a good deal because the market is already flooded with them. While a rearmount may be best, a forestry is a helluva lot better than climbing every tree. I've put mine in some pretty tight spots as well. With a good driver and a good spotter you'd be surprised where you can get one of those big trucks.

 

[Bigus Termitius]

I flew a big orange with a terex last year and it was in incredible shape and very tight. The truck was in the shape you'd expect, so it looked played out, but I think it did more driving and sitting with very little washing, than actual flying. A nice rear mount is a goal, but in the mean time a decent forestry package suits me best. The main thing is to make certain you get familiar with the boom system and have it inspected.

 

[lone wolf]

Most line clearance crews run mainly forestry's and dump them after about ten years keeping the market good and saturated. Rearmounts are mainly owned by smaller, residential companies so there is less of them available which is what keeps the cost up. It's true the most forestry's are beat on but if you can find one that was privately owned chances are that it will be in better shape and you can get a good deal because the market is already flooded with them. While a rearmount may be best, a forestry is a helluva lot better than climbing every tree. I've put mine in some pretty tight spots as well. With a good driver and a good spotter you'd be surprised where you can get one of those big trucks.

You nailed it .Nothing like having two trucks in one need I explain!

 

[nitro1253]

their big money for a rear mount we paid a nice tune of 156 for a rear mount with 4x4 and elevator.

got any pics?

 

[mattfr12]

ya i do it might take me a while i snapped one and posted it on the forums before I'm looking for it now so i can stick it in this thread for you. if you take away the 4x4 you save almost 20g's

 

[treeclimber101]

I prefer the forestry truck I mean ya can never go out with just one truck with a rear mount and as far as the money seems like they are kinda screwing , there is a lot more steel in forestry , and believe me you won't be settling if you find a decent one ... Guys just have a preference thats all

 

[treeman75]

Its a trade off really. A rear mount is going to get you into tighter places and closer to the tree. A forestry rig gives you another truck to chip into. For my needs I like having the forestry package cause having to stop chipping cause the chip truck is full can be a problem, especially if there is no where close to dump. Of course the best option would be to have both

What about when your chipper box is full and you have to stop cutting to go dump. Id rather still be cutting while the chipper truck is dumping.

 

[superjunior]

What about when your chipper box is full and you have to stop cutting to go dump. Id rather still be cutting while the chipper truck is dumping.

then we just hook up the chipper to the bucket truck and keep chipping - that's why I prefer having the forestry bucket set up. of course if it looks like we're going to fill both trucks then someone takes the chip truck to go dump, but the cutting doesn't stop

 

[gorman]

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Damn I'm glad I started this thread. I guess I'll stick to looking at forestry set ups. My company is darn small, but growing and I really need a break from climbing 12 hours a day.