My new bucket truck!

Did you top that tree years ago Tom?????
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I don't think I see a full body belt on either.

Good luck with your belly maker.
 
The logo is very pretty, no doubt.

The catch with using detailed pictures as logos is that they don't scale up real well. Having fonts with narrow strokes are hard to read from a distance. Our eye sees them as a blur. Before you use the font in your logo start to look at billboards, signs and vehicle logos. I think that you'll see that bolder fonts scale up better.

I would never miss the opportunity to have my phone number along with the name/logo. something that still amazes me is how many times I see vehicles lettered and there is no area code with the phone number. I live in Austin where there is one AC but I only have a cell phone. It's easy to figure out the AC but what about areas with multiple ACs?

Don't change your rates just because you can do more work in less time. Some folks have gotten sucked into that but forget that your overhead just went up...to what, 55 or 60' ? :)
 
Tom, I'm not changing my rates per se, but I have reduced mobilization costs, so if I can do 3 jobs in a day as opposed to 1, I should take advantage of that if it benefits me. We'll see how it goes. And I will definitely research the visibility thing.

Holly, I have never topped a tree in my life. Actually, I have topped fruit trees before. Thanks for the good wishes.

Steve, I knew someone would comment on the wet tire. Apparently there was some frozen water on the top of the chip box that melted at just the right time and place. You guys are tough.

Jim and Holly, the operator is wearing a safety belt in the picture, which is ANSI Z133 minimum standard. I have since gotten a Petzl full body harness, which I am more comfortable with. Also, Jim, the truck came with a boomstrap... Is there a reason that is better than clipping into the metal frame outside the bucket? Something particular with this Altec? If so, I'll employ the strap right away.

...You guys are tough.

-Tom
 
It is better because the basket is rated for say 350#, if that basket fails at that low weight rating, all that holds you up there are hydraulic hoses. If you tyie into the boom with the boom strap, the basket can fail and fall off the boom, and you will still be safe. We use them on all of our bucket trucks.
 
Yeah, I thought that was a stupid question after I posted it. I haven't really used a bucket much in the last 7 years or so, so It's gonna take a little while for me to get back in the swing.

I'm trying to cover all my bases, even got an inland marine policy on all my gear in it!

-Tom
 
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If you do a lot of removals take the chip box off and rear mount the boom for more versatility.

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They are more versatile but it would be cheaper to buy one set up that way. He would need to add stabilizers in the back and get the whole thing recertified. Not to mention hoses and wires that might be too short to reach the rear mount setup.
 
I am a small part time biz, that chip box is the best thing that has ever happened for my business.

If I was starting out full time with funding, I would have a 65' rear mount with a separate chip truck, but I am living the dream with my center mount forestry package as it is.

-Tom
 
Tom,

Congrats! Bet you're stoked.

How will your logo work with the indents on the box?

One consideration that I wish I had the money for when I got lettered was to bolt/ rivet a sign on the side of the box.

If your box gets damaged, or you upgrade, you simply switch the sign over.

This avoids the indent problem.
 
You gonna bring that thing rec- climbing at RWP from now on? Might get you up those trees faster!! Ha Ha

Looks sweet man, You ever need a hand with anything, just give a shout!!
 
Sean, I'm not sure, but I'll make the logo fit somehow! I suppose I could look at a magnetic/attachable sign as well. We'll see.

Jon, you are on thin ice with the jokes. Parks security tells me everything. I am on to you and your little friend.

-Tom
 
Thanks, Scott! The Altec boom is very solid, and wicked versatile... It goes 180 degrees over center, which is pretty frickin awesome. It actually goes further over center than it does forward, which is weird, but good!

-Tom
 
Tom,

I had magnetics made up for my pick-up before I got the vinyl. When I tried to put them on the other truck the paint on my ex-asplundh doors was too thick for good magnetic holding power and the sign came off in the wind. I don't think that the box has as thick of paint. The indents would not allow the sign to magnetically attach, but maybe in the spaces in between the indents.

I found out that the vinyl letters have a sticky backing/ transfer paper of some sort that hold the letters together. With my old white paint (repaint), I got a lot of little blisters in the paint that popped the paint off. I imagine that a fresh repaint will not have that issue after its fully cured, just maybe a thickness issue for magnetic, but maybe not.

Magnetics are a potential liability. If one peels while going 70, or in the case of my truck 58mph, on the highway, it could cause an accident, which could come back to you.


Paint will go a long way to represent you well.
Bolt-on signs could cover the asplundh name until you get it repainted.
Vinyl can be done in stages to spread out the cost.


I was quoted about $500 per side for 4'x8' signs on some plastic laminate sign material at a local independent sign shop that a customer owns.


I ended up paying about $1000 for the lettering on my pick-up, chip truck, and chipper.


You'll figure out what's best for you.


Something else though is that if anything is broken, preventing you from working, it won't matter how good your truck looks back at home.

It might be good to focus first on getting an inspection, check your transmission and differential oil levels, etc.
See if you need a DOT inspection, if you are likely to have to go past any weigh stations especially.

ENJOY!!!!

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Sean, I like the idea of using the three separate sections rather than trying to bridge them somehow. I'll probably have quite a bit less info than you, but maybe the same general idea.

As far as inspection, yeah, I need a RI sticker, but I checked the truck out before we made the 1100 mile drive, and everything's greased, topped off, adjusted and in working order. It should pass with flying colors.

-Tom
 
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