Log moving conundrum

BigWood

BigWood

Participating member
Location
Toronto, Canada
So, you have a 30ton boom truck limited to 10k of payload, chip truck with plenty of capacity and an m18R. Your removals go swimmingly, until it's time to haul the wood. Need a cost effective( Bigwood speak for cheap) method for moving wood larger than 18 inches.
Do you go log loader on bin truck or big dump trailer. Both require a bigger drivers license but.....

Discuss.
 
Tom, I think the dumpster would work for a once in a while type deal, but for our operation it would get in the way just having it dropped. There's also days where we go and knock down trees at multiple sites.
I've been surfing and there seem to be some pretty nice grapple trucks in the $50k neighborhood. Same price as a tri axle dump with a loader.
 
every tree we take down is over twenty inches dbh it seems. my production went through the roof when i got home with the loader. i can't wait to finish modifying it to suit my needs. and $50 big ones. you need to think cheap then rebuild just saying.
 
i have a guy in my town that pulls a log trailer behind his crane he loves it. why do you need a dump trailer and why do you need a grapple arm on it? you are pulling it with a boom truck put a couple big steel chokers under a regular trailer, then set up and clean the load off with your crane.
 
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Tom, I think the dumpster would work for a once in a while type deal, but for our operation it would get in the way just having it dropped. There's also days where we go and knock down trees at multiple sites.
I've been surfing and there seem to be some pretty nice grapple trucks in the $50k neighborhood. Same price as a tri axle dump with a loader.

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When you said "cheap" I thought you meant low budget. In my world 50K isn't low budget. If you have 50k to spend just pony up and buy the truck.
 
Dump trailer cause I'm lazy! Plus it takes 20 minutes to set up the crane and 2 guys to unload. Loader for versatility, it's not always gonna be behind the crane.
 
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Tom, I think the dumpster would work for a once in a while type deal, but for our operation it would get in the way just having it dropped. There's also days where we go and knock down trees at multiple sites.
I've been surfing and there seem to be some pretty nice grapple trucks in the $50k neighborhood. Same price as a tri axle dump with a loader.

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When you said "cheap" I thought you meant low budget. In my world 50K isn't low budget. If you have 50k to spend just pony up and buy the truck.

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Even I was surprised at the prices. I was thinking that 50k was cheap when it comes to a grapple truck. Figured a good used machine would be like 100k. Seems like a mid 2000's tandem with a 45yd bin is right in around 40-60k. That being said, to those who own one, any makes/models to stay away from? And behind the cab or rear mount?
 
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Even I was surprised at the prices. I was thinking that 50k was cheap when it comes to a grapple truck. Figured a good used machine would be like 100k. Seems like a mid 2000's tandem with a 45yd bin is right in around 40-60k. That being said, to those who own one, any makes/models to stay away from? And behind the cab or rear mount?

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Truck axles and frame are important. I would not buy a unit that isn't double framed and want 20K front and 46k rears or very close. You have to pay attention as there are a lot of under built trucks out there. If you buy a unit with too little capacity you can be over weight real quick. We prefer trucks over 400 HP. We also prefer rear mounts...

I personally prefer the prentice 2124. Prentice parts are abundant and easy to get. I have seen parts issues with other brands. I know people that love other units besides Prentice... just my preference.
 
Just to make things interesting, do you put the grapple truck off for another year and try for a k boom next year. My 30 ton will go out to 80 ft radius, although it does have charts past that, it becomes pucker territory, that's on 20 ft outrigger spread. If memory serves classics kboom has the same reach with another 6'8" of outrigger spread(wtf btw). So my thought is; something in a 60' working radius and tighter outrigger stance( for spots where I can't put my 30), and be able to slap a grapple on the end for gathering wood.
Treecareinc, I have a soft spot for international paystars after running one for a year now. 500 hp cummins, fuller 18 and triple frame( no one said she was light) The only changes I would make for the next one would be the setback front axle version, and pull the rears forward as far as I can adding a drop.
 
As has been discussed at this site before, we do not use chippers. We load wood and brush into a 67 cubic yard rear mounted grapple as seen here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivyuciu5lbY&feature=plcp

We have a 61 cubic yard pup trailer that we use as needed (usually less than 5 days per month).

We have a Effer 655 Kboom. We do not use the Kboom to haul logs or carry debris at all. If you ask our guys they will say the grapple truck is the one piece of equipment they can't do without. The Kboom would not be able to take the place of our grapple truck.

We love our Kboom!!! Buy a grapple truck IMHO... Maybe next you'll sell the chipper and chip truck???
 
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