From a couple yrs ago we removed this line of smallish pines with the combo (and stays for the rigging tree). This was the smallest stem but all were rigged the same. Without the grcs it would have been way more piecing out, and so much more raking too.
We have sk800 and grcs. Not busted out often but has been game changer many times, well worth it and pays for itself rapidly. With mini: pick and lower with grcs then grab and drag with mini while lowering to float out whole piece etc etc
Not often, but only with pruning. By the hour sounds like a great call.
Edit:Another tactic/sop that has helped with that dynamic is standing by and communicating the tree-side aspect of the work: "we won't make that cut as it is too large and near the main stem," "industry standards are..."...
Guy called me "young fella" the other day which I found amusing in a nice way. My white hairs are getting plentiful, but hairline less so. I feel in my prime at 37 so I'll take being seen as young too I suppose. Sure as shit don't feel young anymore though!
I love the mini, but curious why you went that route vs art loader for your area? We use mats and either full mat it or place them out and "skip" (doing any turns on the mat then straight shots). Don't get bad feedback to date but do best we can...
https://www.treebuzz.com/forum/threads/green-tracks.49546/
https://www.treebuzz.com/forum/threads/mini-tracks.42909/
Not tons of info, but maybe some more in the mini skid threads too. Sure sounds like a perfect track doesn't exist though.
Not apple to apples, but we've used various biners on twitch lines with the mini and absolutely romped on them repeatedly. The only ones that broke over the years, iirc, were downgraded aluminum ones (and somewhat on purpose). A 1/2" worn rigging line knotted (~60% strength retained) should be...