Tips for a new climber/ business owner

[david1332]

Hey guys so I've been climbing for my own company's for about 6 months now and get better every job with both climbing and rigging. I'm faster and now don't shake in my knees every time I'm above 20 ft. I can comfortably spur a tree all the way up and block/ rig it down as well as prune and rig larger limbs.
However I'm not the fastest guy in the world ( a little over cautious sometimes) and I would like to become more efficient so I can bang out more jobs quickly.
Any tips?
I climb with a zig zag, Klein Spurs, ct foot ascender and my arms lol.

 

[stzacrack]

Climb more

 

[crotchclimber]

My company's mini-skidsteers are the biggest efficiency tool we have besides the crane. The ability to move large pieces of brush and logs easily saves huge amounts of time and manpower. We also use them in rigging to lift pieces being cut, essentially turning the tree into a crane. I can't imagine doing large removals without a skid anymore. It was actually the third piece of equipment purchased after truck and chipper. In terms of being a better climber, that just comes with experience and physical fitness.

 

[ropensaddle]

Hey guys so I've been climbing for my own company's for about 6 months now and get better every job with both climbing and rigging. I'm faster and now don't shake in my knees every time I'm above 20 ft. I can comfortably spur a tree all the way up and block/ rig it down as well as prune and rig larger limbs.
However I'm not the fastest guy in the world ( a little over cautious sometimes) and I would like to become more efficient so I can bang out more jobs quickly.
Any tips?
I climb with a zig zag, Klein Spurs, ct foot ascender and my arms lol.[/QU

Hmm 6 months climbing for your own company so I guess this business is a learn on your own deal. If you have a wife and kids best tip I can give you is get a hefty life insurance policy.

 

[david1332]

Yeah I'm 18 so no wife and kids lol.
However I did watch and help a couple friends of mine who have tree companies for a while ( who climbed) and learned ALOT from them. They still help me from time to time with anything I have that's real technical or huge . I can safely handle anything up to an 80 ft. 46" diameter oak ( still a little out of my league to do alone) but I'm getting there. I do about 50/50 pruning/ removals where I am. ( central NJ) .

 

[david1332]

My company's mini-skidsteers are the biggest efficiency tool we have besides the crane. The ability to move large pieces of brush and logs easily saves huge amounts of time and manpower. We also use them in rigging to lift pieces being cut, essentially turning the tree into a crane. I can't imagine doing large removals without a skid anymore. It was actually the third piece of equipment purchased after truck and chipper. In terms of being a better climber, that just comes with experience and physical fitness.

I'm currently using a truck and trailer setup but I'm seriously looking into a mason dump with built up sides ( I do a good amount of landscaping so that would be used more than just a chip truck) and a 9" hydro feed chipper.

 

[crotchclimber]

What are you doing with your brush without a chipper? Chipper is #1 efficiency tool.

 

[ropensaddle]

Yeah I'm 18 so no wife and kids lol.
However I did watch and help a couple friends of mine who have tree companies for a while ( who climbed) and learned ALOT from them. They still help me from time to time with anything I have that's real technical or huge . I can safely handle anything up to an 80 ft. 46" diameter oak ( still a little out of my league to do alone) but I'm getting there. I do about 50/50 pruning/ removals where I am. ( central NJ) .

So 18 watched friends, helped a while, now wanting tips to up production, just so we got it all straight ? Oh I forgot, 50/50 pruning /removals but you can handle 80 foot 46 dbh trees like they're tooth picks? Please; just so we got the full just of your situation, tell us how your pruning. I mean explain your methods of pruning, do you use a handsaw or chainsaw, or both? Are you using a ladder or ascenders or spurs for your pruning? Do you do summer pruning? Do you have any pictures of your work so we can get a better idea of your skills? Do you have insurance for your work?

 

[david1332]

So 18 watched friends, helped a while, now wanting tips to up production, just so we got it all straight ? Oh I forgot, 50/50 pruning /removals but you can handle 80 foot 46 dbh trees like they're tooth picks? Please; just so we got the full just of your situation, tell us how your pruning. I mean explain your methods of pruning, do you use a handsaw or chainsaw, or both? Are you using a ladder or ascenders or spurs for your pruning? Do you do summer pruning? Do you have any pictures of your work so we can get a better idea of your skills? Do you have insurance for your work?

Let me clear that up. I can handle anything that's NOT a crazy big tree like that lol. I sub out any work I know I would be I overmatched with. With pruning I use handsaws for anything live but chainsaws for deadwood/ big stuff when pruning for aesthetics. If you read my original post you would know I climb with a zigzag and a CT foot ascender. Spikes a big no-no unless it's a removal. I don't see why I can't prune in the summer ( unless it's a crepe mental or something) . Pictures I will have to look for ( I always forget to take before pictures but I will look around) and as for insurance Hell yeah I have insurance!!!! 2 mil gen liability and a good health insurance policy. I'm also getting my HIC license soon.
I'm not some hack running around topping trees and spiking beautiful redwoods lmfao.

 

[david1332]

What are you doing with your brush without a chipper? Chipper is #1 efficiency tool.

That's why I'm lookin into one. I currently drag it all onto my trailer

 

[ropensaddle]

Let me clear that up. I can handle anything that's NOT a crazy big tree like that lol. I sub out any work I know I would be I overmatched with. With pruning I use handsaws for anything live but chainsaws for deadwood/ big stuff when pruning for aesthetics. If you read my original post you would know I climb with a zigzag and a CT foot ascender. Spikes a big no-no unless it's a removal. I don't see why I can't prune in the summer ( unless it's a crepe mental or something) . Pictures I will have to look for ( I always forget to take before pictures but I will look around) and as for insurance Hell yeah I have insurance!!!! 2 mil gen liability and a good health insurance policy. I'm also getting my HIC license soon.
I'm not some hack running around topping trees and spiking beautiful redwoods lmfao.

"Crepe mental" ? Summer pruning invites bugs which carry oak wilt and other nasties jfyi. Good your not a hack! So lets see your ready for this?

 

[ropensaddle]

Maybe this

 

[david1332]

"Crepe mental" ? Summer pruning invites bugs which carry oak wilt and other nasties jfyi. Good your not a hack! So lets see your ready for this?

" crepe mertal"
You must really not like newbies man! I'm just trying to learn, no need for sarcasm my friend. And btw the only way I would do THAT job is if there was a tree very near by I could set my block me somewhere nice and high. Other g an that, no, I am not ready.

 

[david1332]

Maybe this

This isn't so bad. Just have to take it slow and be careful.

 

[ropensaddle]

her

" crepe mertal"
You must really not like newbies man! I'm just trying to learn, no need for sarcasm my friend. And btw the only way I would do THAT job is if there was a tree very near by I could set my block me somewhere nice and high. Other g an that, no, I am not ready.

No I like newbies, I just don't understand why they all seem to bypass learning on a job. At least you are teachable but man I gotta say this 18 and a while watching is a long way from a business "just sayin"

 

[ropensaddle]

This isn't so bad. Just have to take it slow and be careful.

Brother no way you should climb that one lol I have 36 years climbing and I wouldn't climb it! Hers another view of that butt!

 

[david1332]

her

No I like newbies, I just don't understand why they all seem to bypass learning on a job. At least you are teachable but man I gotta say this 18 and a while watching is a long way from a business "just sayin"

Well this is the first year I'm doing true tree work. I have a decent sized landscaping company ( which is my main operation) but I'm trying to expand trees because I love doing them! I Have 3 guys that are pretty much full time and access to a lot more for part time stuff me when I'm really busy. I'm an LLC and have insurance so I'm very legit. And as for learning on a job, hats nice and all but it doesn't pay the bills! I can't do what I want/ need to do working for $12 an hour as a grounds guy. College is crazy expensive.

 

[david1332]

Brother no way you should climb that one lol I have 36 years climbing and I wouldn't climb it! Hers another view of that butt!

Oh **** I just noticed all that rot lmao. Yeah that's a no-no

 

[ropensaddle]

Well this is the first year I'm doing true tree work. I have a decent sized landscaping company ( which is my main operation) but I'm trying to expand trees because I love doing them! I Have 3 guys that are pretty much full time and access to a lot more for part time stuff me when I'm really busy. I'm an LLC and have insurance so I'm very legit. And as for learning on a job, hats nice and all but it doesn't pay the bills! I can't do what I want/ need to do working for $12 an hour as a grounds guy. College is crazy expensive.

Whats your major ?

 

[david1332]

Whats your major ?
View attachment 511405

I'm a Biology major ( pre-professional) I want to be a P.A.