Major Decision

I halfway wish I could offer my services/help, Steve, but my day job pays well ... plus I'll soon be 59. OTOH, I'm hoping you get a crane or Mek because that will leave me with more of the type of work I normally get called into ... trees which are beyond the reach of a crane or cannot be accessed with a bucket truck. In regards to shipyard contracts, I have seen Lockwood and Grubb (plus others) inside our gates. They're usually there for work related to facility construction and maintenance and not for erecting ships. We have our own mobile cranes for ship work.
 
Steve, I just had a discussion with my wife this week about the idea of a good crane operator hiring a good climber (as a contractor, but basically full time) to do all climbing for removals, to take out the drama and risk involved when working for THOSE companies- which seem to dominate your market from what you've said. Also, I would think that after a while, that kind of pairing could become super efficient, making you more marketable to companies, since they know you can come in, bust it out, and go. Having someone else that knows your machine, it needs, and its limits is a big boost even for setting up and breaking down.

It may not be an immediate option, but something to consider if that leg of the rental work takes off. Anyway, it's good to hear that you're looking to move on and establish something better than the market that currently surrounds you. Blessings on your endeavor.
 
Thanks brother. I have no idea how it'll pan out. I have a call in to my investment banker to discuss options. I'm scared of the purchase. I'm concerned about not climbing anymore. I'm stressed that I'll get fat. I'm just a bag of nerves and excited as hell.

I worked with our other crew today. I did the first pecan with a 60t. 4 pics in the tree. Top pick 9k. Trunk 14k. All balancer slings and double chokers for the trunk.

The other lead climber did the other. Smaller. Crane closer, refused to wear a headset helmet so the crane op gave me my operator headset back. He used a wire choker on all the pics. They all spun and swung like crazy. Almost took out the house feed. He took a 10k trunk pic in 2 because he didn't want to overload the crane. I asked him if he knew what the crane could lift and he said no. Crane was good for 16k. Smh. The other boss/owner asked me what I thought. I told them they were the champions of resisting change and industry progress. He just looked at me with a stupid look. They tried to get me to crane a 3rd inside the MAD. I said no. They said they'd just have the other climber do it because it "only applies to the hot wires".

I felt so good when the crane op refused to do it and cited every rule I already told them about. I'm only a CTSP I don't know anything. In my mind I've already quit this place. I guess I'll figure something out in the meantime. Suppose I'll tell my boss next week since he's in the islands for a week AGAIN!
 
Steve Connally said:
Thanks brother. I have no idea how it'll pan out. I have a call in to my investment banker to discuss options. I'm scared of the purchase. I'm concerned about not climbing anymore. I'm stressed that I'll get fat. I'm just a bag of nerves and excited as hell.

I worked with our other crew today. I did the first pecan with a 60t. 4 pics in the tree. Top pick 9k. Trunk 14k. All balancer slings and double chokers for the trunk.

The other lead climber did the other. Smaller. Crane closer, refused to wear a headset helmet so the crane op gave me my operator headset back. He used a wire choker on all the pics. They all spun and swung like crazy. Almost took out the house feed. He took a 10k trunk pic in 2 because he didn't want to overload the crane. I asked him if he knew what the crane could lift and he said no. Crane was good for 16k. Smh. The other boss/owner asked me what I thought. I told them they were the champions of resisting change and industry progress. He just looked at me with a stupid look. They tried to get me to crane a 3rd inside the MAD. I said no. They said they'd just have the other climber do it because it "only applies to the hot wires".

I felt so good when the crane op refused to do it and cited every rule I already told them about. I'm only a CTSP I don't know anything. In my mind I've already quit this place. I guess I'll figure something out in the meantime. Suppose I'll tell my boss next week since he's in the islands for a week AGAIN!
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Well that about sums it up Steve! Go for it !
 
Steve Connally said:
Lastly I could get a small truck and chipper and do tree care. What i'm trying to do is some way to avoid the issues with employees and this option doesn't fit that bill. Thats the albatross of being a business owner. The employee market around here is awful.

I'm at a real crossroads and need to build something for my retirement, sanity, and safety.

Looking for opinions from guys who have taken the dive. I know there are some amazing subs out there but i'm not the caliber of pfanner man or they guys who travel all over the country subbing. I can't travel. Just not in the cards.

Opinions, pros and cons greatly appreciated.

I need to do something
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I kinda enjoy the employee thing. Not much different than tree work. some need training, guidance, encouragement, some need honesty, some are pretty some are ugly.
Its a great part of life-meeting new peeps, clients employees etc. And much better life than being a removal machine-most times that shit gets old and hurts my soul. Have trouble taking down even the dead ones, their all into golden yrs.
 
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