When do you know it's time??

I just bought a used rearmount as my first bucket.I use it on 70 percent of jobs every time I climb in bucket I think why didn't I buy one 10 years ago.Mine is a 60 alc I do residential and would not recommend a center mount the rearmount is just high enough and to lose that extra reach is not worth it.
 
I have a forestry package and it suits me fine. If I need to get out of the bucket and climb (which is not often) I do it with a smile. Rear mounts are always better, but you will be spending another 10 to 20 grand on the same truck just for the rear mount.
 
Gorman, I have noticed that the forestry units are much cheaper. I have found some great 60 foot forestry units for much better deals than the same rear mounts. I like the idea of a rear mount, but having to pay so much more is a turn off. Why is there such a price difference? I would think a forestry unit would cost more money.
If I purchased a forestry unit, it would be in addition to my existing chip truck. I would take both to the job, and use the forestry unit to hold all the wood that is good for firewood. Also, if something broke on the chip truck, I could still get the job done with the forestry bucket truck.
 
The price difference is simple. Supply and demand. There is more of a demand for rear mounts, so it is more money. You actually get arguably less truck with a rear mount. It has four stabilizers (cylinders) and a forestry has two with a dump hoist (three cylinders) but you also get a dump box with a forestry (more steel and dual use truck). I believe the rear mount also has a torsion box reinforcement on the frame too.
You're rational for the forestry package is pragmatic. If you have limited trucks, you want your trucks to do more. I would say as long as you can climb, a forestry truck would be a better choice until you get bigger. Then you want more production out of your bucket.
 
Forestry trucks are usually x utility too. Rode hard and put away wet. Ive heard they pop real good wheelies.
 
Anyone have any dealing with Tri-State equipment out of Pennsylvania or schmidys machinery? I have heard stories of dealers just buying old forestry units from the utility companies and just putting a fresh coat of pain and calling it good. Was wondering if anyone of these two had a rep. for doing that? Schmidys looks like they have some really mice looking machines, but looks can be deceiving.
 
Don't buy from a dealer. They won't warranty anything any more than a private sale would. You would pay significantly less from a private sale and would have the benefit of checking out the outfit that used that piece of equipment before you buy.
Pay close attention to how tight a ship they sail. Or how loose.
 
75 footer is big, heavy and slow moving. Buy a 55 footer to start, rear mount, then you can ride lawns as they are much lighter. 4x4 best in perfect world. If you can't take it off road at times you really limit use. A 75 footer (I have a 55 and 75) will have your elbow getting stuck all over the place...but later when you can afford one, it will be the love of your life at times (but less times). My 55 goes out almost daily, sometimes I take out the 55, take it back and get the 75...or vice versa. If you are a small company, you HAVE to learn how to buy smart used. Forestry body is only the right choice if you do line clearance imo.
 
Gorman, agreed. It's just hard to find a used private sale bucket right now.

Treevet- I know, it's hard to just be starting off. In a perfect work I would drop a lot of money on all new equipment and get exactly what I want. However, you have to crawl before you can walk. Is a 55 big enough? What about some of the utility bucket trucks? ones with a winch on the upper boom rated for 1000-2000 lbs. They are rear mount with a reach of 60 feet. Not sure of the reach of them though as for as over center or not.
 
All boom purchases should include meticulous maintenance and inspection records. The forestry package vs. rear mount argument is like comparing apples to oranges. Go with what ever best suites your market and or niche. Rear mount forces the need for two drivers, some of these trucks require CDL some do not. All forestry packages require CDL. The roof of the chip box on a forestry package is low and requires that you become a hunch back when stacking wood in the box. If you don't stack the wood you can't haul enough to amount to nothing. I've now worked with both setups quite a bit and a 4x4 75' rear mount and separate chip truck with 18" chipper in tow can't be beat but the work we produce is all about quantity. I often think it would be great to have a forestry package pimped out on a cab over.
 
Rear mount is so much. Better, I just am finishing up my rear mount I have been building. Been using it a few weeks but still some small stuff to finish, it's a alc 60' and it feels 5 ft taller than the boon on the forestry unit, so 55' will seem like 60 pm me If you have any questions.
 
ROYCE said:
Gorman, agreed. It's just hard to find a used private sale bucket right now.

Treevet- I know, it's hard to just be starting off. In a perfect work I would drop a lot of money on all new equipment and get exactly what I want. However, you have to crawl before you can walk. Is a 55 big enough? What about some of the utility bucket trucks? ones with a winch on the upper boom rated for 1000-2000 lbs. They are rear mount with a reach of 60 feet. Not sure of the reach of them though as for as over center or not.
Click to expand...

You will be amazed what you can do with a 55 if you learn to "hang" branches on a lanyard while choking the branch being cut to the stub remaining. You can take at least a 20' piece and butt hitch it (that has you removing approx. 80' tree) and then slice and dice it and save using a ground man...or just rig it down. Forestry compared to rear mount is NOT just apples to oranges. You not only have to buy smart quality but also smart pieces....and in order. With the bucket you may cause a need for a bigger chipper, chip truck, log truck, boom crane....face it...dabbling time is over for you with purchase of this business.

Only downfall I see buying this is it will retard your development as a climber. I never stepped into a bucket until 19 years into the business. Sure you will have to get out of the bucket but and you will have to leave it at home at times. That is why you need to be able to handle anything manually first...but times moves on.
 
As much as I love our 75'ers a 55 or 60 in your market is probably good to start. Donny had a 55 for years, probably still does, and never had a problem. You might find yourself looking for larger equipment next year anyhow, just the way that market is. With as much as the cranes are used in that area you will either have to hire your compitition or buy your own, especially because that business you purchased used to have 2 of the nicest ones in the tri-state area at one point.
You are going to have a little bit of an up hill battle, not being able to buy all the equipment with your purchase. You are a small company with a big name (for that area), many years of customer base, people that want it done... And you have to build it up all over again just as Winn did buying (or leasing as he did for years) equipment as you get capital. It will be fun that is for sure, but you got this. :).
 
So, this is for sale south of me. Anything worth looking into? Seams a little low on the price. I like the price and all, but don't want to buy something I have to put a ton of money into. Plus, they would have to be willing to have a DOT inspection and a complete boom inspection as well in order for me to purchase the truck. Thoughts??

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/4654401490.html
 
I like it...definitely worth investigating.

55' working ht., or 55' to bottom of bucket...that is a variable. Either way nice looking unit.
 

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