Nasty jobs

Such a strange year. Im 78% behind last year at this time. I don't have any work for the next week and a half. Just wondering if it's the slow death of this business venture and there will be a really nice knuckleboom for sale sometime in the future. Even the awful jobs have dried up.
That’s really rough to put it mildly. When work is slow the desire for efficiency decreases, and spreading work out longer is more desirable. I’ve noticed a huge drop in contract climbing requests, which I attribute to those factors. Diversify, find new markets, or sell. All potentially challenging choices.
 
That’s really rough to put it mildly. When work is slow the desire for efficiency decreases, and spreading work out longer is more desirable. I’ve noticed a huge drop in contract climbing requests, which I attribute to those factors. Diversify, find new markets, or sell. All potentially challenging choices.
Agreed. I see so many interesting uses for the Kboom based on how they're used overseas but don't know how the same operations are done in the states. How do they commercial glass in the US? The Knucklebooms with suction devices do it overseas. I just don't know how to break into those markets.
 
Such a strange year. Im 78% behind last year at this time. I don't have any work for the next week and a half. Just wondering if it's the slow death of this business venture and there will be a really nice knuckleboom for sale sometime in the future. Even the awful jobs have dried up.
Under bid by others or just no calls?
 
Agreed. I see so many interesting uses for the Kboom based on how they're used overseas but don't know how the same operations are done in the states. How do they commercial glass in the US? The Knucklebooms with suction devices do it overseas. I just don't know how to break into those markets.
Stow that grapple.
Work that hook.

We discussed this when you picked the name, on the side of your truck.

A/C units, trusses, sign posts, light posts, .....

Your name travels far. You got this, kid!!!
 
Stow that grapple.
Work that hook.

We discussed this when you picked the name, on the side of your truck.

A/C units, trusses, sign posts, light posts, .....

Your name travels far. You got this, kid!!!
Can't break in to that market. There's over 12 multi unit stick crane companies around here. We're heavy industry all over. These guys probably think I deliver shingles and sheetrock. Plus you can get a 33t stick for $100 less an hour than what I charge. I'm racking my brain trying to figure out how to break into something outside tree work. Even setting commercial glass panels like they do in the UK. I searched the net today and cant even figure out who the players are in the commercial glass market. I'm set up for doing everything a stick cant. I just cant find the people who need that.
I appreciate your encouragement though
 
Agreed. I see so many interesting uses for the Kboom based on how they're used overseas but don't know how the same operations are done in the states. How do they commercial glass in the US? The Knucklebooms with suction devices do it overseas. I just don't know how to break into those markets.
I was thinking the same thing. My little Hoeflon C10 is absolutely perfect for that, and the attachment is on the shelf at the dealer. It would mean talking to contractors and glaziers alike. I’m lucky that tree work in my area is still bangin like a drum.
 
I was thinking the same thing. My little Hoeflon C10 is absolutely perfect for that, and the attachment is on the shelf at the dealer. It would mean talking to contractors and glaziers alike. I’m lucky that tree work in my area is still bangin like a drum.
If you had gotten out in front of the micro brewery trend that unit would be perfect for setting vats.
 
@Steve Connally could you sub out chipping and wood hauling, if you did your own tree work?
I'd have to up my insurance and get a blanket Workmans comp policy. I did that the first couple years and quickly grew very tired of dealing with the headaches. I just gave all my work to my favorite contractor. I used to get lots of calls. I rarely get any now. I feel like I'd rather have somebody else have the job and just bring me in.
 
I'd have to up my insurance and get a blanket Workmans comp policy. I did that the first couple years and quickly grew very tired of dealing with the headaches. I just gave all my work to my favorite contractor. I used to get lots of calls. I rarely get any now. I feel like I'd rather have somebody else have the job and just bring me in.
We do a mix of our own work and sub-contract with our C10. It’s probably less than 10% sub work, and even at that it’s a LOT to juggle. Whenever we are scheduling a week containing both I get that feeling that one path or the other would feel less stressful, but it always seems to work out in the end. Having my wife to work the admin side with me is invaluable and couldn’t imagine doing it all on my own. Office management can be important even for a small operation when other companies’ work and related timelines are in the mix. Add weather and it’s enough to want to pull your hair out!
 
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Many contractors are slow right now. On the local "NextDoor" forum requests for tree work keep popping up and since it is apparently a closed forum it is impossible to post links. High income area, Fairfield County CT. I recommend local businesses with roots in the area, not those tied to using the influx of Hispanic cheap labor from the NY metro area. If you feed those who have no roots or loyalty to your area, you just get more of the same and a less stable society. At this point I am just doing some ground chain saw work and log splitting, but even that is slow. I figure knocking on the doors of those with unsplit wood may be an option handing out business cards.

We get a lot of unknowledgeable customers with bucks to burn. One was posting for a recommendation for a "chord" of firewood, I said that there has to be a contractor who could deliver and sing a song for them. I worked for a local mason, Harold Self years ago who would sing along while he worked and had that on his business card. Someone else a while back wanted a "core" of firewood....
 
Many contractors are slow right now. On the local "NextDoor" forum requests for tree work keep popping up and since it is apparently a cl I recommend local businesses with roots in the area, not those tied to using the influx of Hispanic cheap labor from the NY metro area. If you feed those who have no roots or loyalty to your area, you just get more of the same and a less stable society. At this point I am just doing some ground chain saw work and log splitting, but even that is slow. I figure knocking on the doors of those with unsplit wood may be an option handing out business cards.
I think blaming the use out of towners to do work as a contributor as “a less stable society” is a bit of a stretch.
Especially if you’re knocking on doors touting for work, that’s bottom feeder stuff.
 
Such a strange year. Im 78% behind last year at this time. I don't have any work for the next week and a half. Just wondering if it's the slow death of this business venture and there will be a really nice knuckleboom for sale sometime in the future. Even the awful jobs have dried up.
I'm surprised at that. Maybe we need to get you up to Jersey for a few jobs.
 
We do a mix of our own work and sub-contract with our C10. It’s probably less than 10% sub work, and even at that it’s a LOT to juggle. Whenever we are scheduling a week containing both I get that feeling that one path or the other would feel less stressful, but it always seems to work out in the end. Having my wife to work the admin side with me is invaluable and couldn’t imagine doing it all on my own. Office management can be important even for a small operation when other companies’ work and related timelines are in the mix. Add weather and it’s enough to want to pull your hair out!
I'm happy things are running smoothly for you. You've earned that for sure!!
 

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