My new bucket truck!

[tomthetreeman]

Drove down to GA two weekends ago, and came back with 1999 GMC 6500 w/Altec LRV55, bought from a fellow Buzzer.

Drove down at the very beginning of an epic snowstorm, barely made it out of NE/NY in time, made it back in under 24 hours, including stops for a tire, wiper blades, and some incidentals. The whole trip took from Thursday at 7PM to Sunday, about 2AM, a little over two days. The truck ran like a champ all the way home, but I worried my A$$ off the whole way, imagining the myriad ways to get waylayed say, in the Baltimore Tunnel or the GW Bridge. All for naught, though, as the truck was solid! Just as solid is my friend Joey, who didn't even blink when I asked him to accompany me as a second driver!

Anyway, this changes everything! Above is a pic of the first job we did with her (The truck is now named 'Georgia'). I am already looking at jobs differently as far as how much time for a given job and how much can be accomplished in a day. Woo-hoo!

-Tom

 

[tomthetreeman]

We replaced the dying Silver Maple with a 2.5" Valley Forge Elm. Homeowner liked the stump left like that, so did I.

 

[SimonCX]

Looks good, did dot give you any problems? I've heard some states are very strict and some don't care.

 

[tomthetreeman]

Nah, we left Lawrenceville at 2AM Saturday, and by the time we got to another urbanized area, it was evening again. We did blow by one weigh station by accident, which was probably good, bc I have the weight listed wrong on the registration.

-Tom

 

[Starlet]

tom nice truck! congratulations... let us know how much more work you can get done in a day... good luck, and i am sure well deserved!

 

[classictruckman]

Looks good, but it would look better if you re-spray it asap

 

[BostonBull]

[ QUOTE ]
Looks good, but it would look better if you re-spray it asap

[/ QUOTE ]

X2!

 

[tomthetreeman]

Haha, thanks guys, I'll get right on it! I can barely afford to put gas in it at this point! Not to mention, the weather is not exactly cooperating!

I have changed the plugs and wires, done an oil change, greased every fitting on the truck, and done some minor welding. One thing at a time...

I plan to paint it white, with some large peel and stick logos on the sides. Asap!

-Tom

 

[Starlet]

hey tom, if that is yourchipper you should also put some yellow in with the white, all white would be alot of white. what do ya think?

 

[tomthetreeman]

Hmmm... I can't picture what the white would look like with yellow in it. Would you actually notice it or would it just match better?

-Tom

 

[Starlet]

i said it wrong, not yellow in the white but maybe a yellow stripe or lettering....

 

[BostonBull]

We run pure red trucks and yelow chippers. keep the manufacturers colors, its easier to sell when the time comes.

You should definitely letter your chipper up with co. name, IMO.

let me know if you need a good graphics/vinyl guy. Ill set you up with the guy we use.

 

[Starlet]

i agree on the colors but then he would have to leave it orange.... company colors would be okay yes,,, if they are not too far fetched

 

[tomthetreeman]

Attached is a modified version of my logo for the truck, which I intend to put on the sides of the chip box. Ideas? Opinions?

-Tom

 

[easyphloem]

I like all white trucks with simple lettering. Your logo looks good!


SZ

 

[tomthetreeman]

Thanks, man!

 

[Starlet]

i like the logo alot, i think that will look good on a white truck.

 

[tomthetreeman]

The Magnolia is a watercolor that was painted by Jean Sankey, a mostly self taught California artist who allowed me to use the image. She died last year. About 10 years ago I found the image online, contacted her, and she allowed me to use the image as long as I sent her some cards and letterhead she could show off to her friends and family. Very down to earth lady. I wish I spoke to her again before she passed.

-Tom

 

[BostonBull]

lose the phone number, they only remember the name.

put company name, no logo on both booms of bucket, front of bucket, and rear door of chip box as well. Dont forget the doors of the cab. And a windsheild banner too, name only again.

Wait this all souinds familiar! lol

 

[tomthetreeman]

My budget for paint AND logos is about $1200 this Spring... I think I'll only be able to do the paint and chip box logos at this point.

If I didn't have a full time job, I would go all-out with more advertising, but I need to temper what I try to get with what I can actually do.

-Tom

(PS - Jim, Can I get the name of the company you use, and contact info?)