Bucket truck

We have several ALC rear mount trucks. They are 62' working height. This year we bought an Altec rear mount elevator. After about a month of the Altec the crew asked for the smaller truck back. I was very surprised. I switched it to another crew who had also had a 62' rear mount. After a few weeks they wanted the smaller truck back.

ALC rear mounts have a 96" cab to axle which makes them extremely maneuverable. The Altec has a longer wheel base. The Altec is also heavier. Additionally the ALC is mounted on the very back of the chassis, where the Altec is more of a mid mount (mounted in the middle of the bed). The crews found it hard to get it into places they were used to.

I think this question can be answered differently by everyone.
 
Brendon ALC rear mount is what I want for sure, After looking at some of the other models the mount them so far from the rear its seems to lose alot of the reach. Im having a hard time finding one , if anyone hears of one for sale let me know.
 
We have a 2 forestry units and 1 rear mount. I would not recommend a forstry unit for 99% of tree work. I would consider a spider lift instead as well. I wish I had a spider lift on tracks....we could do so much work. Reduce set up time especially if using mats.

The thing about tree work, is there or so many different set ups that you can't cover all aspects of the industry. You need to look at what your typical jobs. What works for one does not work for another. I found this out when I merged my operations with another.
 
Get rid of the chipper and get a grapple truck, then get a rear mount alc. You can haul a mini skid or stump grinder or both behind the bucket. Two trucks. Three or four man crew. Lots of money.
 
They tell me you can fit a mini on a rear mount alc between the boom and tool box.
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I dont know if I would risk it Brendon, might hit the wrong lever on the mini.I actually think Dave from Top Notch use to put one on a bucket.
 
Im going with the forestry unit when I find the right one, used lower miles 75'. right now Im in a LR3 replaced cables couple years ago, not looking forward to doing it again, as the newer booms have the walking chain link,never need replacing and is an easier boom to maintain. As for the rear mount for me, it would suck because then I must always have two drivers and two trucks going to every job. No way! so many jobs are done easily with ONE truck. Alot of you mention the truck being in the way,and over your work, You dont have to drive the truck all the way up to the tree and be right under it all jeese, stay back a bit work the tree then move in after and your as good as gold, oh it takes so much more time, what does it take 3 minutes to be back flying again. Oh disconnecting the Chipper takes so long too. man that's a 2 minute job, [pick a different word] we just lost 5 minutes... Better get the rear mount for sure. Garbage, Look at your overall situation and think what would work best for YOU! then get it and learn to be productive and efficient!
 
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Having used both (forestry truck and flatbed), it depends on your application. Forestry trucks were purpose built for line clearance (lots of smaller debris, immediately off the road and to the side of the truck). Although great for this application they are not so great for residential work. You will find, because you normally pull into your work, that the chipper is located at the farthest point from the work/debris and is pointed in the wrong direction (incredibly inefficient). More often than not you'll get the whole tree down or trimmed and then pull the truck around and back the chipper into the work. Well ok, now you get to address a big "bird's nest" of debris. Also the forestry truck is physically/dimensionally much larger/heavier making it more difficult to maneuver. Also the most expensive part of the forestry truck is always under the work. With a rear mount flatbed, the truck is generally smaller, lighter, and easier to maneuver. And the "cheaper" part of the truck is under the work. Couple this unit with your chip truck & chipper (which can be backed up to the work in progress) and it creates a very efficient system. Also, the bucket can keep working while the chip truck dumps and your expensive bucket truck doesn't get beaten up at the average dump site.

[/ QUOTE ]123 has it figured out. All i can say is live and learn young grasshopper.
 
Either way has its pro's and con's. I am a big fan of the forestry package for the simple reason that you have the versatility of building the crew how you want it. You always have to send a chip truck with the rear mount. The other thing is having an elevator allows you to really manipulate boom angles. This helps get your boom up above a lot of obstacles allowing more versatility. The majority of the time I find myself setting trucks up to work over the side. This gets the pedestal very close to the tree. If you ever work around power lines, the angle changes from the elevator allow you an easy way to maintain MAD. Plus, if you have a large removal the bed of the forestry package makes a nice log truck while the chips go in the chip truck. One thing to remember with the forestry packages on the elevator trucks is to pay attention to your weight ratings and licensing when you start throwing on a trailer and a bed load.
 
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