canopyking
New member
- Location
- Indianapolis
So a while ago I made one of those very typical this-or-that type of post about disposal practices, and I put my chips in on a dump trailer. I have had it now for 3 months and want to share how it has gone during that time period.
The trailer is 20'x8'x4' and pulled by an F550.
Access to properties has not been too much an issue. I am in Indianapolis and work primarily in the city, so the spaces are fairly tight, but with a decent driver (patting myself on the back) I can put it where I need it. I also have access to a wheel loader, so worst case scenario we drag with that.
Loading. I would only use a wood mover that has an extension on the arms. It may not be necessary, it could be loaded from the rear, but it would take more work. Loading branches and logs is not a problem with an extension. Biggest logs so far are 36". The biggest trouble by far.....is the amount of slashing needed with canopies. To really maximize capacity, you have to slash A LOT! I mean it damn near requires someone in the trailer at all times (if the work is moving fast). While a chainsaw won't eat you up like a chipper, the likelihood of getting yourself is high. The ground is unstable, the cuts are blind, its very easy to be plunge the bar into the pile with a cut path that is directed towards the cutter (as opposed to plunging and cutting at your side) and with the unstable ground the work is tiring. Also, it absolutely cannot be good on saws. More positives, it hauls a lot! I occasionally have to make a trip to the dump, but not often. It is suitable for most day jobs. Putting huge logs in it, very gratifying.
Disposal. One of the main concerns from my previous post about chipper or chippless hauling had to deal with disposal fees. Basically it sounded like the fees were quite expensive to dump brush and logs. Fortunately the yard I go to the most takes everything 24" and under for free, and charges $50 for a load that has logs over 24". There is another lot, farther away, that takes everything for free, and another lot that charges $200 for anything over 24".
I got the itch for the dump trailer from a crew I contract climb for, they have a grapple truck with a 70 yard bin (mine is about 20). They do not compare. You can't mash with a dump trailer (maybe just a little with the wood mover) since it doesn't have a grapple. And there is something about getting into the super large 70 yard size that requires no slashing. Without a doubt, bigger is better.
There are still times, usually with silver maples or small trees, where I would love to have a chipper.
All in all, for a newer business, it does great, but it's by no means the end-all-be-all of removal systems. But is there a best system???
Hope this is helpful for someone!
and the before photo of the truck, because.....show and tell! I have no hesitation saying that the trailer hauls more than this chip box.
The trailer is 20'x8'x4' and pulled by an F550.
Access to properties has not been too much an issue. I am in Indianapolis and work primarily in the city, so the spaces are fairly tight, but with a decent driver (patting myself on the back) I can put it where I need it. I also have access to a wheel loader, so worst case scenario we drag with that.
Loading. I would only use a wood mover that has an extension on the arms. It may not be necessary, it could be loaded from the rear, but it would take more work. Loading branches and logs is not a problem with an extension. Biggest logs so far are 36". The biggest trouble by far.....is the amount of slashing needed with canopies. To really maximize capacity, you have to slash A LOT! I mean it damn near requires someone in the trailer at all times (if the work is moving fast). While a chainsaw won't eat you up like a chipper, the likelihood of getting yourself is high. The ground is unstable, the cuts are blind, its very easy to be plunge the bar into the pile with a cut path that is directed towards the cutter (as opposed to plunging and cutting at your side) and with the unstable ground the work is tiring. Also, it absolutely cannot be good on saws. More positives, it hauls a lot! I occasionally have to make a trip to the dump, but not often. It is suitable for most day jobs. Putting huge logs in it, very gratifying.
Disposal. One of the main concerns from my previous post about chipper or chippless hauling had to deal with disposal fees. Basically it sounded like the fees were quite expensive to dump brush and logs. Fortunately the yard I go to the most takes everything 24" and under for free, and charges $50 for a load that has logs over 24". There is another lot, farther away, that takes everything for free, and another lot that charges $200 for anything over 24".
I got the itch for the dump trailer from a crew I contract climb for, they have a grapple truck with a 70 yard bin (mine is about 20). They do not compare. You can't mash with a dump trailer (maybe just a little with the wood mover) since it doesn't have a grapple. And there is something about getting into the super large 70 yard size that requires no slashing. Without a doubt, bigger is better.
There are still times, usually with silver maples or small trees, where I would love to have a chipper.
All in all, for a newer business, it does great, but it's by no means the end-all-be-all of removal systems. But is there a best system???
Hope this is helpful for someone!
and the before photo of the truck, because.....show and tell! I have no hesitation saying that the trailer hauls more than this chip box.
