Looking for advice on a chip truck and chipper

[Brennon]

Hi Il start off by saying that im 16 looking for some advice on equipment. I've been in the industry for 4yrs and have been climbing seriously for 2yrs. I'm looking at buying chipper and chipper truck,not sure what exactly to look for when looking at one Im pretty mechanically tuned and realize there is the obviouse ( bearings, engine compression, hours , rust and overall condition but just wondering what other things there are to check, how manyhours is a chipper good for. I’d be probably looking for a 9” chipper.Also what would be things to check on a chip truck ( probably just gonna look for a 1ton) What is needed to certify a commercial vehicle in Ontario.
Thanks

 

[DTS]

First welcome to the buzz. I would start off with a 1 Ton truck a F550 would be preferred. I had a 9” chipper I’d hold off for at least a 12” and then a small walk behind stump grinder good luck in your endeavor.

 

[Gorman]

Save your money and don’t overextend yourself. You want something that won’t be a money pit and at the same time won’t kill you every month with a big bank note. Breath, research, and take your time. I’ve made rash decisions in my past and they have almost always come back to haunt me. I take my time now.

 

[TreelineNH]

Get a reliable dump truck. That what I did and built a chipper top out of pressure treated wood and canvas. I would rent a chipper 1-2 days a week and have all bang out all my jobs. When you finally come to the conclusion you need to chip daily take the plung into a chipper. I ran a 10” Morbark and it served me really well. Autofeed and a winch are almost must haves if u don’t have any means to move brush or logs. You have an extremely long work career ahead of you so you don’t want a lower back injury, trust me they never heal right. Link up with a local log truck guy to move you wood. Good luck.

 

[Brennon]

Thanks guy really appreciate all the imput. What would be key points to check when buying a dump truck?

 

[southsoundtree]

Pay a mechanic to inspect it.


Greased grease points, fluids quantity and condition, maintenance records, what the company's other equipment is like (ratty or respectable), play in wheel, wear in tire treads, tire sidewall cracking, if its used regularly, or been sitting 3 years.

 

[Reliable tree man]

I know you didn't ask for this advice but I'll give it anyway and you can do with it what you will. You are too young at 16 and too early in your career to be investing in all that equipment. You should hold off on any of those purchases for now, finish school and find a good mentor to help you develop as an arborist. It would also be of great benefit to you to enroll in a college program (either Humber or Fleming) once you are done high school.

Find a reputable company to work for with well trained and educated arborists who you can learn from. Length of experience in the field is nowhere near as important as the quality of that experience. 2 years working with good arborists can provide you with better skills and knowledge than a whole career of stumbling on your own or working with dummies.

You have plenty of time to get all that equipment you mentioned. Those purchases require that your are not only a tree man but also a business man. Take your time and learn the trade and the business.

Good luck Brennon, Feel free to pm with any questions.