Epic VA Treemek Build

There are all sorts of dump configurations. I like the Benz Unimog design with a single Telescopic Cylinder under the center of the bed. You select the tilting direction by simply removing pins from the corners you want to lift.

Still, if loaded thoughtfully, unloading by grapple may not be such a big deal. If you’re stockpiling logs, you need to do that anyway...
 
oceans said:
Steve, that kit is looking sweet! Congratulations!

I'd like to hear more discussion from others about the pros/cons of cab mount vs. rear mount, especially in regard to those that haul material away from job sites. I totally understand all your points about choosing the rear mount, but something says that dumping capabilities might be nice.

I guess it all depends on individual markets. I know some business owners in the middle of the country that run larger rear mount grapple trucks that do not dump. It's always a give and take...

Anyway, I'm wishing you a rock solid '18. Might as well wish you one too, @pctree !
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Rear mount let's you get the crane closer (10 plus feet).

Cab mount let's your rear end be more versatile, at the loss of some reach. I personally like having the option of pulling in or backing in depending on the terrain etc without having the whole truck in the way if pulling in.

My truck (should be done by end of June) is going to be cab mount with a hooklift system on the rear. I wanted the versatility of being able to load wood, stump grindings, chips from the chipper and be able to dump it out.

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climbhightree said:
Rear mount let's you get the crane closer (10 plus feet).

Cab mount let's your rear end be more versatile, at the loss of some reach. I personally like having the option of pulling in or backing in depending on the terrain etc without having the whole truck in the way if pulling in.

My truck (should be done by end of June) is going to be cab mount with a hooklift system on the rear. I wanted the versatility of being able to load wood, stump grindings, chips from the chipper and be able to dump it out.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
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Please Share Pictures when you have time.
 
If I understand Steve's axle diagram on page 7, there's room for just shy of 8k of payload. I'm not sure how much the chart reflects the actual axles...earlier in the thread @Steve Connally stated the front was sprung up to 20k. I think you'd really want the 20k front, 40k rear, and a tag to support a cab mount and include a material body with enough room left over for a payload worth anything, never mind payload left for tongue weight of anything in tow.

I'm thinking about just how many trees could be stuffed into the body in a day along with their average weights and spec backwards from there. I'm pretty much 50/50 on cab vs. rear mount...
 
I'd probably also want the tag behind the rear for more maneuverability when it's lifted...
 
oceans said:
If I understand Steve's axle diagram on page 7, there's room for just shy of 8k of payload. I'm not sure how much the chart reflects the actual axles...earlier in the thread @Steve Connally stated the front was sprung up to 20k. I think you'd really want the 20k front, 40k rear, and a tag to support a cab mount and include a material body with enough room left over for a payload worth anything, never mind payload left for tongue weight of anything in tow.

I'm thinking about just how many trees could be stuffed into the body in a day along with their average weights and spec backwards from there. I'm pretty much 50/50 on cab vs. rear mount...
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Steve's operation is a bit different, because he is operating a crane company (for the most part), he isn't running a tree company. So he doesn't have to worry about carrying logs, trailer, chips, etc. He is subbing the crane to tree companies, so all that stuff is their problem.

There are tree companies that run rear mount, but usually have other trucks for that stuff



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oceans said:
I'd probably also want the tag behind the rear for more maneuverability when it's lifted...
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Problem with the tag (behind the tandems) is it makes the truck longer. The heaviest part of the truck it the crane...so usually need a pusher (in front of the tandems) to take crane weight off the front axle...even if it is a 20k

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So, yes I wanted a rear mount because backing in with a cab forward truck is much easier than a pull in forward. I didn't want a cabover. With a rear mount I wanted to avoid the rough ride and the cramped cab. My pusher is a steering axle. It had to be in front of the rears. The rears had to be 44k. Also in order for me to be federal bridge compliant I have to run the pusher down at all times or my axles are overloaded. I run it at 30 psi. Another thing with a cab mount would have required the addition of a front bumper stabilizer. Additional cost for sure. I have no desire to haul anything and the design of my bed and boxes pretty much prevents me from hauling anything but an ac or a generator. Fine with me. I believe in the rear mount for my use. If I was hauling, the hook lift set up is brilliant. I also have seen a side dump in Canada. Glenn Gerasemek posted a video of it at one point. It was amazing. Check his threads on his treemek. I have a 100% 360 load chart. I'm strongest off the rear. I'm not sure how a cab mount would effect my radius. Not much ballast there working over the rear. I don't know, you'd have to check with a cab mount guy. Theres a guy on IG, Carolina Tree Company. He has a pretty sweet set up. Cab mount with a dump. Another reason I wanted a rear mount is the working station on the bed. I prefer to stand on the truck and feel whats going on if I can. Hope this answers some questions. As far as a rear tag, I think if I had cone with a bigger boom I would have needed one. I was rite on the edge of the weight. One last thought on rear mount. I didn't want half my truck in the way all the time Couldn't have worked this set up too well with a cab mount. IMG_2012.webp
 
Steve, what's the total cost of ownership on this unit with interest and what's the interest rate?
Have you figured what your annual operating cost are? Maintainence, repairs, insurance, fuel, taxes?
Thanks
 
bck56 said:
Steve, what's the total cost of ownership on this unit with interest and what's the interest rate?
Have you figured what your annual operating cost are? Maintainence, repairs, insurance, fuel, taxes?
Thanks
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Oh my. Not that precise. Interest rate is about 7%. Insurance is $11,000 a year. Have a general idea about taxes but not fuel and repairs. I should be able to look back at 3 and 6 months and have a better idea. I’m just hitting the 30 day mark.
 
Drumbo said:
Dude so happy for you. I've been following this since day one. The truck looks awesome and I am super jealous.
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It’s even better in person! I had the pleasure and opportunity to work with Steve at the craneclimber school for 3 days with it. It’s such a well thought out truck, the storage boxes, mat rack, placement of everything, it’s a thing of beauty! Everything you can ever imagine and have on a truck is on Steve’s truck!
 
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