Career Dilemma

Another option not yet mentioned .... I entered the field at 60 after years in a job that didn't bruise me up, was better financially, built up a retirement account, and gave me resources to now enjoy tree climbing with fewer worries. I can buy the climbing goodies to make the job more fun and don't sweat a few off days due to inclement weather. Downside is that it is too late to build up my own company, but I appreciate the camaraderie of the larger crew and less stress as compensation. When/if the body can't take it anymore, I might just contribute in the shop and remain as part of the gang.
 
I find it kinda ironic I started buzzin palms in 73 with monkey Ward corded electric chainsaws, only to be buzzin em again with cordless chainsaws.

The corded ole lectric's had way more oompa loompa!

My little cordless Makita 36 volt's pretty fuggin pitiful....

Jemco
 
Jemco said:
My little cordless Makita 36 volt's pretty fuggin pitiful....

Jemco
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I really enjoy my makita 36v chainsaws. The brushless is literally the only way to make it usable. I do mostly small stuff in a city so I dont need big power for 80% of my work

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Takes a tremendous amounta torque for any chainsaw to be able to bury its bar in the base of a date palm stump, and keep truckin!

Alotta gas powered saws can't pull it off!

But a 73 Monkey Ward corded 14 inch bar electric could do it, lots of whittlin it apart like a rubic's cube, even the stump checker boarded!

I seriously doubt even a Stihl or Husky top shelf cordless could do the same today.

I guess taking full advantage of an electric motor's superior low end torque draws too many amps to last very long.

Jemco
 
I actually have a husqvarna top of the line saw and it does have lots of power, but as of now I think I get more out of my makita. Maybe if I upgrade to newer batteries I might change my mind.

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Wow, so much has happened, I stopped getting notifications. Thank you all for the advice, I am staying in school, what happens after is to be seen. Even if I go right back to tree work it will make me a better, healthier climber anyway. I think there needs to be a lot of evaluation of the movements required for tree work. I have observed so much joint damage that seems totally unnecessary. Fore example- when brush builds up it becomes nearly impossible to pull branches out, while keeping your spine relatively straight, knees behind big toes, and load near your torso. Without thought tree work is horribly damaging to your body. I don't think it needs to be though. What techniques do you put in place for making the job easiest for the crew?
 
RyanCafferky said:
As many others have said, I think you should follow your heart. But that doesn’t mean to do what is easy (ie dropping out of PT school).

You mention how expensive school is. What are the profit margins of being a PT and that investment? What are the margins of running a tree business in your area? Earlier this year I was having a major career dilemma. I would just sit and spin out on what I should do. Should I start my own company? Should I keep contract climbing? Should I get a job in California again? I put everything in a spreadsheet listing the pros and cons of all of my options and it all came down to contract climbing being the best use of my time and the best return on investment. In the column about physical impact though contract climbing was on the high end of the spectrum. Make yourself a spreadsheet listing out your options and the pros and cons with each of them. The fulfillment column might just be the most important one.

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A lot of people post the macho bs about how aches and pains are just a part of this industry and make the assumption that how you have to “make it” is by being a tree service owner or a cog in the wheel and beat your head and the rest of your body against the wall selling and/or performing work until by some miracle you feel you have enough money to retire or until Davey, Bartlett, or some other corporate giant buys your amazing company. Our industry and your place in it can be so incredibly diverse and potentially very lucrative. It doesn’t have to just be “I’m going to run a business or climb and beat the crap out of my body every day.”

Personally, if you have the passion to be a PT, have the smarts to get into PT school, and the financial burden isn’t too much to bear, I would go for it. All of us have your back and will welcome you into the trees if you decide it isn’t for you. I have worked with guys who have former careers as lawyers, mechanical engineers, CPA’s, and many other fields. All of them bring a diverse perspective and unique skillsets to the table. None of them ever made it seem like they regretted their schooling. Expanding your mind is expanding your options which is something you will never regret.
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Ryan, thank you for such a thoughtful reply. I love the tree industry and most of the people it... lol. I am going to make myself a spreadsheet once my semester is over.
 
Climbing with foot and knee ascenders or hand ascender with foot loop is pretty gentle on the body compared to the old body thrust technique. Spur climbing can cause some repetitive impact to knees and hips, maybe ankles too but they’ve never pained me personally. The impact can be reduced if you keep your gaffs sharp and file off any burrs that might show up. You shouldn’t have to stomp them in and you shouldn’t have to yank them out, should be just like stepping up.

I thought ascenders on spurs looked ridiculous at first, but now it’s on my want list,I think my legs will thank me.
 
Jemco said:
I've known lotsa sub par climbers that've done well in this biz by simply buyin a bucket truck, and applying good managerial skills.

There's a lot to be said for bein pragmatic enuff to recognize your limits and work your way around them.

Jemco
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One will do much better at this business if they focus on being good at business. If one is focusing on being a good climber, they probably not going to do well in this biz. They'll just climb a lot.
 
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