Save my back!!!

[Small Job Tim]

New to the site. I do mostly small time residential tree work. I have a tiny operation with only myself (doing all the climbing and cutting), a few saws, my pickup truck, and a groundman.
Since I can't afford a dump truck right now the groundman and I have to manually unload the truck each time. This can be a very time consuming ordeal at times. I was wondering if anyone out there has any ideas on how to cheaply and quickly unload a truck. I have read about hydraulic dump beds for pickups, but they are too expensive. I have also heard some suggestions from whackos to reverse fast and hit the brakes. This is also not a reasonable option. I need a method that will be able to unload wood chips, branches, and logs.
If anybody could help me save my back from manually unloading a pickup for a low cost it would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks - T. McD.

 

[clearance]

I have used this-before you put the branches in the box take a chain and lay in from wheel to wheel over the sides, then stack the brush, butts out. Nice to have a slip hook on this end of the chain.

When you get to the dump spot, hook onto the chain as to choke the brush, then hook the other end of the chain to something solid. Like a tree, big rock, another truck, etc. Then drive off. You may have to rehook the chain to your truck to pull it out. Done this many times. Watch how you load the truck, you don't want anything to be caught on the wheelwells.

Almost forgot, welcome Tim.

 

[TackleTree]

I agree with clearence. Also put a tarp down for smaller loads and you can just slide it off. Always try to put the larger fuller branches on the bottom so you can hook to them if the oither options give you a hard time. Welcome

 

[(WLL)]

scrap the chain and use a rope

 

[(WLL)]

New to the site. I do mostly small time residential tree work. I have a tiny operation with only myself (doing all the climbing and cutting), a few saws, my pickup truck, and a groundman.
Since I can't afford a dump truck right now the groundman and I have to manually unload the truck each time. This can be a very time consuming ordeal at times. I was wondering if anyone out there has any ideas on how to cheaply and quickly unload a truck. I have read about hydraulic dump beds for pickups, but they are too expensive. I have also heard some suggestions from whackos to reverse fast and hit the brakes. This is also not a reasonable option. I need a method that will be able to unload wood chips, branches, and logs.
If anybody could help me save my back from manually unloading a pickup for a low cost it would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks - T. McD.

if your only 24 and your about unloading your pick up you could always try wall mart you must live in town:jester: oke: welcome to A/S

 

[carvinmark]

I have used chains before and it works real good. Even if it only gets 3/4 of the load out, for the few minutes it takes to set up, it sure makes the old back feel better.

 

[outofmytree]

Darn it, I was going to post the same idea! Never used it myself but in the bad old days my leading hand did. Tarp idea words for lawn clippings and I bet it would work for light "leafy" loads just as well. Tarps tear easily so watch that.

The way you load a small trailer or ute makes a big difference in how easy it is to unload. Lay your widest leafiest branches in the tray with the butts facing the rear and cut to the length of the tray. Pile other longer pieces on top, the middle should be the shortest lightest pieces and save the logs to hold down the load on top. At the dump you can haul the load out by the butts on the bottom or even tie rope to them and an anchor point and drive away.

Or... u can hock your soul and buy a tipper!!!

 

[arbor pro]

The rope or chain trick works fine so long as you have something to hook onto to in order to pull the load off. I used to unload a trailer that way. Problem is, what do you do when there's nothing to hook the chain or rope onto?

In this area, it costs about $1k for a pickup flatbed and about another $1k for a used scissors hoist and new pump. Best $2k investment you'll ever make in your company. That or buy a used dump trailer. You can fine used 10-12' for $3-4k.

If you're going to be in business, sooner or later, you've got to make the investment in the right equipment. My only regret from the 'early' days is not making that investment sooner.

 

[Small Job Tim]

wooden dump box

Thanks for the rope/chain idea, seems logical to me.
I do intend on investing on more and more equipment when the finances are available, but for right now, I have to make due with what I've got.

Has anyone heard of building a wooden dump box on castor wheels that sits inside the pickup box? I saw this concept on a website once, just not sure if it'll work and if so, for how long before something cracks. The box would be tied to a tree while the truck pulled forward, so the box and load both slide out of the truck. I can get some thick plywood for the box, but I'd probably have to reinforce it like crazy. Worth the effort and $, or is there another idea out there that can save my back, wallet, and unloading time by quickly dumping wood chips, logs, and branches. I know I'm young and small time, (just starting out...1 yr now), but some advice from guys who have been down the same road is always appreciated.

Thanks so much - T. McD.

 

[D Mc]

Tim, forget the chains and ropes. And for the moment, don't spend 2 grand on a dump setup. Get yourself one of these, they're simple, cheap and they work. Been using one for over a decade.

http://www.loadhandler.com/index.php

Dave

 

[Vangellis]

Tim, forget the chains and ropes. And for the moment, don't spend 2 grand on a dump setup. Get yourself one of these, they're simple, cheap and they work. Been using one for over a decade.

http://www.loadhandler.com/index.php

Dave

Hi Tim.

I was going to suggest the loadhandler too. My neighbor has one and it works nice. I'm not sure how it would hold up for commercial use, but seems well built.

Heres a couple pics on a day he helped me move some wood I had cut nearby. Gravity helps here too. Dumping downhill. Stuff will catch on the wheel wells so you have to watch.

Loading up.

Dumping off

Kevin

 

[bushinspector]

Don't worry Tim, a lot of us that has bought better equipment has started out like you have. Been there and done it. And yes laying the rope down on the trailer first and then pile everything on it does work better than hand unloading everything.

I don't know what size of material that you deal with but a plain dolly can safe a lot of back pain as well. When we got the large stumps out to the trailer we would lay the dolly down and balance the stump on the edge and then just flip in on to the trailer. HOWEVER DO NOT FORGET TO STAND ON THE DOLLY SO IT DON'T FLIP UP!!!!!!!


PS. We now own a dump trailer and a skid steer loader.
Welcome to the site:greenchainsaw:

 

[Small Job Tim]

Hi Tim.

I was going to suggest the loadhandler too. My neighbor has one and it works nice. I'm not sure how it would hold up for commercial use, but seems well built.

Heres a couple pics on a day he helped me move some wood I had cut nearby. Gravity helps here too. Dumping downhill. Stuff will catch on the wheel wells so you have to watch.



Thanks for the idea. Quick questions for ya though.. What size load handler is shown in the pictures, the standard full size truck model, or the heavy duty model? Also, in the picture of unloading, was that whole pile in the truck when you unloaded? If so, this device might be my answer. Do you think it would work well with branches?? Maybe if I had them waited down?
Thanks for all the good ideas! - T. McD.

 

[TreeBot]

I'm not sure how it would hold up for commercial use, but seems well built.

I am, about 3 months. The fabric came duct taped to the bar with tiny tabs of tape that quickly failed. Before long the fabric started fraying all over the place. And the handle is cheap and unecessarily heavy. It worked so-so for unloading chips but it won't work for brush if you pack and cut the way you will have to to make any money. I have a little dump truck now, but I think I would try TreeMachine's layered tarp method before buying another one of those. It isn't worth the $100 price tag. Maybe $35.

 

[Vangellis]

Hi Tim.

I was going to suggest the loadhandler too. My neighbor has one and it works nice. I'm not sure how it would hold up for commercial use, but seems well built.

Heres a couple pics on a day he helped me move some wood I had cut nearby. Gravity helps here too. Dumping downhill. Stuff will catch on the wheel wells so you have to watch.



Thanks for the idea. Quick questions for ya though.. What size load handler is shown in the pictures, the standard full size truck model, or the heavy duty model? Also, in the picture of unloading, was that whole pile in the truck when you unloaded? If so, this device might be my answer. Do you think it would work well with branches?? Maybe if I had them waited down?
Thanks for all the good ideas! - T. McD.

Yes the whole load on the ground was one load from truck. I'm not sure which model he has, but I would guess the standard.
He has moved loads of B2 modified stone and mulch. The stone is a bear to roll off, but it works. Sounds like it would work for you. I think he got his at Sears.



Kevin

 

[arbor pro]

How busy are you with tree work? You said that you're in your first year and that you wanted to save on your back but you didn't mention whether you were busy or had extra time on your hands.

If you're busy, you can afford to put a dump bed on your truck. Figure out how much time you will save in hoisting off debris rather than shoveling it off and take that times the number of loads you will unload by hand over the course of the next five years. Average out the cost per day and it will likely only cost you a few bucks a day to add the dump bed and hoist. It will pay for itself in increased production. If you don't have the cash to buy one, get a business loan. $2-3k isn't too hard to get. The monthly payments might cost you all of a $100.

If you're not busy, ignore the above and keep on shovelin' but just think of all the time you could spend chasing down new job leads if you weren't constanly scooping out your pickup bed...

 

[Philbert]

Has anyone heard of building a wooden dump box on castor wheels that sits inside the pickup box? . . .The box would be tied to a tree while the truck pulled forward, so the box and load both slide out of the truck.

With a wooden box or a heavy canvas tarp, you still have to get the wood off of the box or tarp at the dump site. Chains or ropes would be easier to recover from the pile.

Maybe use the plywood to taper the ends of your pickup bed so that the branches do not hang up in the rear corners when you pull them out?

Philbert

 

[Small Job Tim]

Treebot,
It was only held together with duct tape? Doesn't seem like it would last. What did ya do to reinforce the load handler?

As for how busy I am, at this minute I am idle. But come spring I will be loading the truck 3-4 days a week. Not as busy as you big time guys, but time saving on unloading would be nice.
I found one of the loadhandlers on harbor freight's website for $89...cheapest i could find. Maybe if i reinforce the handler and use it only for chips and logs, while using the rope system to pull the brush I will be ok.

Thanks for all the great ideas!! Much appreciated!!

- T. McD.