pickup bed converted to dumper?

tc262 · Mar 13, 2015

Some of you may laugh but back when fuel was $4.50 a gallon and I didn't want to roll the big equipment to a small pruning job I would chip into my pickup. Just put a topper on it and used a harbor freight load handler. I was surprised how well it worked on a box packed with chips. It would only unload down the center because of the wheel wells. I would just unroll it back out climb into the box and push the chips from the edges onto the unloader. It was a bit of a pain in the rear but saved me a lot of money.
I now have a stainless dump insert that I have for delivering face cords of fire wood. That thing works great and I would go that route before I put a under bed hoist on.

NickfromWI · Mar 14, 2015

To me the cost of labor far exceeds the cost of fuel.

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nick

tc262 · Mar 14, 2015

It was less time to unload the pickup with a load handler than it would have been to raise and then lower the boom to dump the chip box.

Redtree · Mar 14, 2015

I've been using an unconventional method for years. I have a one ton dump truck but also another truck with a tarp system. Tarp is tough. Almost like webbing. It's from old tennis bubble. I used old fire hose bolted to the sides. I lay it in and chip. Then when I get to the dump I tie the fire hose to an anchor and drive. Out comes a pickup load. A pickup with 3' high side extensions. It's awesome. Then rig the tarp back in. A little more work than my dump but not much. And the truck is lighter. I'm trying to get the video on here.

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TCtreeswinger · Mar 14, 2015

I'd like to see that!

Redtree · Mar 14, 2015

I'm no techie. I tried google plus for the video. Is there something easier?. I also tried straight to treebuzz. Can't get it to work.

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NickfromWI · Mar 14, 2015

Upload it to YouTube

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nick

Redtree · Mar 14, 2015

Thanks man.

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Redtree · Mar 14, 2015

Was that u at the old hall in 2014

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Mangoes · Mar 14, 2015

Started with;

Way more productive with these;

Opinion grounded by experience - anything less than 10 yards is a waste of time and money. Bite the bullet and get/finance something that will be productive for the long term.

ROI
If ROI factor is 2 then ROI on $100,000 will be a hell of a lot better than ROI on $5000. And if you're not adding capital asset (fleet) ROI to your budget/job costing then there is NO return on your fleet investment. You end up buying the asset to buy a pay cheque or salary.

Redtree · Mar 15, 2015

Yes I agree with advanced if your doing a lot of removal, you need a big box. Especially if you chip fuel wood, which is more efficient from a production stand point. We do removal with the one ton dump but not an insert. Separate fuel wood mostly. Inserts are not as big as cab and chassis so the one ton is great for my work compared to insert. and most days it works out perfect. Plus we work close to our dump site. Rarely do two dumps in one day. Often I prune and chip into the tarp system, which holds 5-6 yards. I also often chip into my day driver pickup which has no sides. I just chip a yard worth into two or three tarps with three two by fours linked as a catch. Then dump by hand three easy tarp pulls. Very efficient and I like not having sides. But then again I'm far from average in my work. By the way was that u mangoes at the lions hall. Good risk management

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TCtreeswinger · Mar 15, 2015

That's why we have the 14' dump trailer we chip into the front and put logs in back. Loads it poorly but gets the job done

Redtree · Mar 15, 2015

I've often wondered about a side by side system. Truck or trailer. Open the log door then move and open the chip door? Anyone try this?

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TCtreeswinger · Mar 15, 2015

You mean like dividing the box down the middle? You could chip into both sides when not loading logs? That'd be a bit tricky loading

Redtree · Mar 15, 2015

Tricky how? Many chippers favour one side so make that the chip side. But yes firewood might be easier loaded at the back. Do you have a midpoint gate of some sort to hold chips while you dump wood? Or do you dump both and separate after with tractor/loader?

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Mangoes · Mar 15, 2015

Redtree said:
Yes I agree with advanced if your doing a lot of removal, you need a big box.

We are NOT a removal company. Removal Income stream (tree removal & stump grinding) only accounted for 28% of gross in 2014. 34% in 2013.

"Is there anyone so wise as to learn by the experience of others?" - Voltaire

Redtree · Mar 15, 2015

Sorry mangoes. I know your a really good pruning company too. I just thought you used the big box for removal days. I'd say my numbers are similar but never I've never divided it that close. I'm happy to see that though. I think most are at over fifty percent removal. I dunno. Not that that's a bad thing as removals are a reality. But do you prune ten to 16 yards with one crew in a day? Maybe with a bucket? Im just curious not trying to criticize. I prune 1-7 yards in a day. Usually 2-4, but with one climber.

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Mangoes · Mar 15, 2015

Redtree said:
But do you prune ten to 16 yards with one crew in a day? Maybe with a bucket? Im just curious not trying to criticize. I prune 1-7 yards in a day. Usually 2-4, but with one climber.
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16yds arent produced every day.

Food for thought......
Like some female cliques, who cant visit the washroom without an entourage; tree crews always go together to dump chips. Average dump cycle = 45min, x3 = 2.25mnhrs.

Prune day 1 - 2yds - no dump, save 2.25hrs
Prune day 2 - 4yds - no dump, save 2.25hrs
Prune day 3 - 10yds - dump, spend 2.25hrs
Prune day 4 - 6yds - no dump, save 2.25hrs
Prune day 5- 4yds - no dump, save 2.25hrs

Make sense?

Each crew has 2-3 climbers of varying skill. On a pruning project it is expected 1 stays on the ground and everyone else who can, has air under their feet.