I primarily do stump grinding and some clearing jobs but have been turning down more and more tree work. I'm a one man show and do this work on my days off as a firefighter. I'm toying with the idea of picking up a bucket truck and upgrading my insurance to do some aereal work. Theres a lot to consider like how much more of my free time I want to be working and if I can keep working without the hassles of having employees. There are a couple of online auction companies that frequently have smaller bucket trucks that are retired power company trucks. I've been looking at the F550 size. seems like most of the booms are 36-42' and they sell pretty reasonable. What are your thoughts on these for tree work? I have a couple of stump grinders, a bobcat with grapple and a dump truck. Would a smaller bucket truck be enough to get me going? I'm in a nice position to pick and choose what I do because I have a full time job. Looking for thoughts and input on the truck and expanding my services. Thanks
Thoughts on retired F550 sized bucket trucks for tree work?
- Thread starter MOE
- Start date
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I know the feeling man, locally there is a F550 bucket with a chip dump for sale that I keep staring at! Sweet rig for the small company that wants to trim streetside bradford pears and the sort.
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My hesitation is the insurance and added overhead costs. And being in a bucket without a ground guy sounds a bit reckless, and I dont want to think about insurance on a ground guy running my chipper.. I guess my reality is I dont want to mess with the added paperwork and HUGE workmens comp costs for tree service work. Have you looked into that yet?
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My hesitation is the insurance and added overhead costs. And being in a bucket without a ground guy sounds a bit reckless, and I dont want to think about insurance on a ground guy running my chipper.. I guess my reality is I dont want to mess with the added paperwork and HUGE workmens comp costs for tree service work. Have you looked into that yet?
exSW
ArboristSite Guru
Early 550's had the 6.0 liter Powerstroke a real head ache unless they have had a major($) upgrade.
WhistlePunk99
ArboristSite Member
Bewarn
It is surplus and may have boom issues. We got one for work as a agency transfer,had major metal fatigue in the boom and swivel mount area,sent it to surplus after a welder was used to make it unuseable. Also have you got training on bucket safety and working with weight off a bucket?
It is surplus and may have boom issues. We got one for work as a agency transfer,had major metal fatigue in the boom and swivel mount area,sent it to surplus after a welder was used to make it unuseable. Also have you got training on bucket safety and working with weight off a bucket?
stumper120
ArboristSite Lurker
55' minimum. even 40 feet will have you getting greedy with you tops and you will get into trouble fast. I don't promote ladders in tree work but hell! you can get 40 foot ladders. better off saving for a retired asplund, Davey tree ext forestry truck.
TRISTATEFORESTRYEQUIPMENT
ArboristSite.com Sponsor
i live by the standard that "you get what you pay for"
if you buy a short truck your gonna be short on every job.
it may help to look around at what other tree services use. how many tree services do you see using a 42 foot boom ? ive never seen one professional tree service with a tiny little boom like that. maybe a fly by night tree service.
i have a solid 97 gmc c7500, under cdl, 55 foot altec boom for 19k ready to go.
TriState Forestry Equipment - Home
just my input, thanks joe
if you buy a short truck your gonna be short on every job.
it may help to look around at what other tree services use. how many tree services do you see using a 42 foot boom ? ive never seen one professional tree service with a tiny little boom like that. maybe a fly by night tree service.
i have a solid 97 gmc c7500, under cdl, 55 foot altec boom for 19k ready to go.
TriState Forestry Equipment - Home
just my input, thanks joe
Thanks for all of the input. I'm thinking I'll just keep doing what I'm doing now,(mostly stumps with some small clearing work). Sounds like a bigger plunge than I want to take with the amount of free time I have. If I didn't have a full time job, I'd be looking for a bucket truck.
MSgtBob66
ArboristSite Operative
I've been thinking the same thing...
Moe, I REALLY need to see your operation. I too keep seeing more & more tree work when I want to keep it on the ground. Grinding that is.
My full time day job as a wrench is helping me keep my feet on the ground.
Thanks for the thread, I'll just keep staring at tree #### in the equipment magazines and thinking of the work I'll pass on...
Semper Fi & Good Luck!
BOB
P.S. Thanks for steering Brian the saw collector my way, I owe you a beer.
Moe, I REALLY need to see your operation. I too keep seeing more & more tree work when I want to keep it on the ground. Grinding that is.
My full time day job as a wrench is helping me keep my feet on the ground.
Thanks for the thread, I'll just keep staring at tree #### in the equipment magazines and thinking of the work I'll pass on...
Semper Fi & Good Luck!
BOB
P.S. Thanks for steering Brian the saw collector my way, I owe you a beer.
Tree equipment magazines are like an evil temptress, I had to quit looking at them. If you are passing through, shoot me a message
