Got to thinking about this the other day during a break I was talking to my ground guy about the mini(bobcat MT50 with grapple)and how it made this already nasty job that much easier he said " You know if it wasn't for that mini I wouldn't want to come to work." Granted, I totally understand it does make life so much easier, but I started out using a 3/4 ton pickup truck that didn't dump and remember shoveling out chips and unloading blocks at the end of a 12 or 14 hr day and it was no fun but still wanted to go to work the next day. So, I guess what I'm wondering is if we didn't have all these modern tools at our disposal like buckets, mini's etc. how many of us or our guys/gals we employee would come to work day in and day out??
Mini dependent??
- Thread starter PurdueJoe
- Start date
- Location
- Lexington, Kentucky
We don't own a mini at all and I still look forward to work every day. We hand load or use a log cart for all our wood, until it's really big. Then we bring in a skid steer for the heavy lifting. Usually we will have to unload the wood too, unless we put it in the chip truck.
The one thing I have taken for granted is a chipper, and a big one at that. We have a 17" Morbark, and we've had to rent a small 6" Vermeer a few times when the Morbark goes down. It's a real pain to cut everything to fit into that chipper. But I'm sure if I did it every day, I could get used to it.
So far, there has only been one side job where Mike and I didn't use a chipper. Dad was out of town for a week and we had to get this job done, so we borrowed a buddies small single axle trailer. I ended up hauling most of the stuff from the backyard to the trailer, and dumping it all at the dump site. In total, 3 or 4 loads, plus small load of wood tossed in the back of the Jeep. That's the one time I didn't really want to go to work, since I was doing it all by myself. The one thing I took away from that job was to never work alone if I can help it.
The one thing I have taken for granted is a chipper, and a big one at that. We have a 17" Morbark, and we've had to rent a small 6" Vermeer a few times when the Morbark goes down. It's a real pain to cut everything to fit into that chipper. But I'm sure if I did it every day, I could get used to it.
So far, there has only been one side job where Mike and I didn't use a chipper. Dad was out of town for a week and we had to get this job done, so we borrowed a buddies small single axle trailer. I ended up hauling most of the stuff from the backyard to the trailer, and dumping it all at the dump site. In total, 3 or 4 loads, plus small load of wood tossed in the back of the Jeep. That's the one time I didn't really want to go to work, since I was doing it all by myself. The one thing I took away from that job was to never work alone if I can help it.
- Location
- Lexington, KY- USA
Yea, I hate hauling brush on trucks and trailers. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to get it done.
We don't have a mini either, rent one occasionally for certain jobs. They sure are nice when you have to move a lot of wood.
We don't have a mini either, rent one occasionally for certain jobs. They sure are nice when you have to move a lot of wood.
- Location
- Longmont, CO
[ QUOTE ]
...how many of us or our guys/gals we employee would come to work day in and day out??
[/ QUOTE ]
In these economic times, any work is good.
But, I do know what you mean about being dependent on machinery. I'm dependant on a crane these days...
...how many of us or our guys/gals we employee would come to work day in and day out??
[/ QUOTE ]
In these economic times, any work is good.
But, I do know what you mean about being dependent on machinery. I'm dependant on a crane these days...
treehumper
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Ridgefield, NJ
I'm there because there's no bucket. As for mini bobcats, we don't have those either. A nice to have for the ground crew. Cranes are nice and chippers are sweet. I've done the loading brush on a truck and trailer. Not fun. But ya do what ya gotta do....
- Location
- Asheville, NC
I do both the overly-equipped thing at my day job and the no-equipment thing on my side job. Well, I do have an F350 and soon a chipper, but no log loader, bucket, crane, etc.
I don't think of heavy machinery, including the mini as a crutch, because crutches are given to someone to help them heal. I think of them as crutch-prevention, since these machines prevent probably thousands of injuries a year if not more. I have clipped my boot twice cutting brush in the back of a truck. Seems like I need a chipper.
I don't think of heavy machinery, including the mini as a crutch, because crutches are given to someone to help them heal. I think of them as crutch-prevention, since these machines prevent probably thousands of injuries a year if not more. I have clipped my boot twice cutting brush in the back of a truck. Seems like I need a chipper.
- Location
- tulsa oklahoma
Winch has an awesome point. Machines are crutch prevention.
One day Winterbush and I were discussing bucket trucks and he was saying that even though he has absolute confidence in his climbing ability he will work extra hard sometimes to get his bucket in a backyard for a removal. I said that I had been there and pretty much anything in the backyard gets climbed. He said it may take him longer than if he had climbed it but he sure feels nice, fresh and youthful for the next job. Great point. These machines are here at our disposal to save our bodies, and our sanity. I say if you got it, use it.
D.W.H
One day Winterbush and I were discussing bucket trucks and he was saying that even though he has absolute confidence in his climbing ability he will work extra hard sometimes to get his bucket in a backyard for a removal. I said that I had been there and pretty much anything in the backyard gets climbed. He said it may take him longer than if he had climbed it but he sure feels nice, fresh and youthful for the next job. Great point. These machines are here at our disposal to save our bodies, and our sanity. I say if you got it, use it.
D.W.H
- Location
- Fayetteville AR
I think it could go either way. I think you NEED to know how to do it without equipment but they are really nice to have and save your back. If the old tricks do not get passed to the new guys then they WILL be dependent on the equipment.
Like when I'm working with Noel he's got one and it's SWEET! (I have a severe case of mini envy) But it helped me a whole lot more to one day when we didn't have it with us and had a trunk to get out of the backyard. Kristian then showed me how to load up the whole log on the ball cart and take it out easy in one piece. Work smarter not harder!
Like when I'm working with Noel he's got one and it's SWEET! (I have a severe case of mini envy) But it helped me a whole lot more to one day when we didn't have it with us and had a trunk to get out of the backyard. Kristian then showed me how to load up the whole log on the ball cart and take it out easy in one piece. Work smarter not harder!
I too used to shovel chips out of the back of a truck. Now with dump trucks, bucket trucks and the dingo life is easier. Heck I used to have a DR Chipper. With a 12" vermeer life is sweet indeed. The guys sometimes bitch and I hae to remind them of ramps chubs and log dollies. Much nicer but you have to remember your roots..... Mike
I've climbed for ten years and started at 15 with my mom dropping me off at work! And still look forward to it every day. And I sub-climb for anyone! But im with jamin, because I have alot of companies that hire me out for the big, nasty tall stuff I've been using a crane atleast once week lately! haha which doesnt hurt my feelings one bit! But I know exactly what your saying, I hate to say this younger generation (because im in IT!)has a sense of entitlement and I see it everyday. When people my age complain about going on an ambulance call....they've never worked a hard day in the lifes! And none of them have to put in 12-14hrs of tree work the next day! But thats the way my generation thinks and feels, if there pocket isnt getting bigger for doing less then they dont want anything to do with it!
- Location
- Florida
I can remember hand loading a pick-up with brush and logs and then unloading by hand.
When I saw the bigger company roll on by with the big trucks, chippers, and loaders I worked 60-70 hrs a week to get those things.
I would not want to travel that road now.
I like my machines, they make us more efficient.
I don't think their a crutch any more than a nail gun is to a framer.
Plus its still fun as hell to pick up 1500lbs of trunk with the Bobcat in one shot!
When I saw the bigger company roll on by with the big trucks, chippers, and loaders I worked 60-70 hrs a week to get those things.
I would not want to travel that road now.
I like my machines, they make us more efficient.
I don't think their a crutch any more than a nail gun is to a framer.
Plus its still fun as hell to pick up 1500lbs of trunk with the Bobcat in one shot!
[ QUOTE ]
I hate to say this younger generation (because im in IT!)has a sense of entitlement and I see it everyday. When people my age complain about going on an ambulance call....they've never worked a hard day in the lifes! And none of them have to put in 12-14hrs of tree work the next day! But thats the way my generation thinks and feels, if there pocket isnt getting bigger for doing less then they dont want anything to do with it!
[/ QUOTE ]
There has always been lazy people, I don't know about our generation being any worse. I know alot of tree guys, myself included, in there 30's who worked their butts off when they started doing tree work doing everything the hard way. Talk to some old timers and they will tell you it has always been the same way, you were either cut out for tree work or not. I know a guy in his nineties who used to climb on a bowline on a bite. He saw plenty of guys not last two days doing tree work. We could have a whole philosophical discussion about whether we would have done tree work back then but I think certain personality types actually love to do hard work and some don't. But getting back on subject I love my little Kubota for picking up wood I am not getting soft I just feel like I already paid my dues and I am going to do it the easy,no, easier way! Just like any piece of equipment though you can't get it everywhere, of course thats except your two hands!
I hate to say this younger generation (because im in IT!)has a sense of entitlement and I see it everyday. When people my age complain about going on an ambulance call....they've never worked a hard day in the lifes! And none of them have to put in 12-14hrs of tree work the next day! But thats the way my generation thinks and feels, if there pocket isnt getting bigger for doing less then they dont want anything to do with it!
[/ QUOTE ]
There has always been lazy people, I don't know about our generation being any worse. I know alot of tree guys, myself included, in there 30's who worked their butts off when they started doing tree work doing everything the hard way. Talk to some old timers and they will tell you it has always been the same way, you were either cut out for tree work or not. I know a guy in his nineties who used to climb on a bowline on a bite. He saw plenty of guys not last two days doing tree work. We could have a whole philosophical discussion about whether we would have done tree work back then but I think certain personality types actually love to do hard work and some don't. But getting back on subject I love my little Kubota for picking up wood I am not getting soft I just feel like I already paid my dues and I am going to do it the easy,no, easier way! Just like any piece of equipment though you can't get it everywhere, of course thats except your two hands!
jim454
Participating member
- Location
- The land of Utopia
Today I had to drag brush by hand, up hill, through 3 ft of snow. I thought I was going to die.
I am the poster child for mini dependant.
(drinking beer now)
I am the poster child for mini dependant.
(drinking beer now)
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
[ QUOTE ]
But, I do know what you mean about being dependent on machinery.
[/ QUOTE ]
When I bought my Waldon loader I realized that I quit getting jobs that had to be carted out. With the machinery I could get in and out quick and not hurt my back.
But, I do know what you mean about being dependent on machinery.
[/ QUOTE ]
When I bought my Waldon loader I realized that I quit getting jobs that had to be carted out. With the machinery I could get in and out quick and not hurt my back.
jim454
Participating member
- Location
- The land of Utopia
[ QUOTE ]
Sounds like you needed this jim.
Mini and winch.
[/ QUOTE ]
Must be one of the few Brendon, Dave lives just down the road from me and I have yet to put my hands on one of those. Trust me, if I didn't have to drag around corners I would have rigged some kind of pull line.
(all done drinking beer)
Sounds like you needed this jim.
Mini and winch.
[/ QUOTE ]
Must be one of the few Brendon, Dave lives just down the road from me and I have yet to put my hands on one of those. Trust me, if I didn't have to drag around corners I would have rigged some kind of pull line.
(all done drinking beer)
southsoundtree
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Olympia, WA
[ QUOTE ]
Sounds like you needed this jim.
Mini and winch.
[/ QUOTE ]
Damn, a winch on a mini. I could see that being useful. What does that set-up cost and its weight, if I'm not prying. Some people don't like getting asked about weight. Ha.
Sounds like you needed this jim.
Mini and winch.
[/ QUOTE ]
Damn, a winch on a mini. I could see that being useful. What does that set-up cost and its weight, if I'm not prying. Some people don't like getting asked about weight. Ha.
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KBNest -Midline Attachable SRS Canopy Anchor.
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