mountainman1888
ArboristSite Lurker
Hey gents, thought I would see what you guys think. I have been in tree work for a few years now, running mostly on my own. I'm not a hack, don't worry, insured, licensed etc. I do mainly stump removal, but do about 15 tree removals and 15 trim jobs a year. I enjoy all aspects of what I do, but would like to do more removals and trimming. Should I keep running solo, or add an employee to do more technical work and give my back a break? I believe I am actually super efficient on my own, I'm never waiting on anyone, and never ever stand around, but there is only so much I can do. Obviously, the stump work will always be solo. I have a Bandit 2550XP that makes me good money doing stumps. LOVE that machine.
This leads me to my next point... equipment. I would like to get a chipper even If I stay solo, but just cannot justify a large machine. I know, I know, you guys are going to tell me to just bite the bullet and get a big hyd feed 12'' or bigger, but that just isn't in the mix for my setup. I have limited storage availability, and I like just driving my F-250 and 14' dump. I have looked at a few small chippers that I can roll onto the trailer and even into backyards that I think can really improve productivity. I'd like the Bandit 490xp, but it's 7000 new, and Ive never seen a used one. That small chipper is something that would reduce the branchy stuff, the logs will get carted like I do now. Any other options that come to mind? The Europeans love their small machines, most all of them run cart style chippers. The problem in the US is there are almost no options for a good compact commercial chipper.
I know alot of you guys can't imagine running a little portable chipper like that, and think the idea is a waste of time, but there are times that small portable equipment works really well. For instance, I do snow in the winter, and the blower I got this year is small, but runs circles around the big ones and is easier on my body. The Toro snowmaster singlestage. Its new this year and uses the same personal pace drive system that their push mowers have. Im not kidding this snowblower is twice as fast per job, and is twice as easy to load on the hitch haul since its really light etc. Thing runs all day long on a tank of fuel, and still goes through the deep stuff my 32'' John Deere bogged on. I know chippers are not the same story, bigger is probably better, but this is where I'm at. For really big jobs, I have a buddy with a 12'' chipper, or I could always rent.
Am I wasting my time looking at a small chipper for 30 jobs a year? Should I stay solo?
This leads me to my next point... equipment. I would like to get a chipper even If I stay solo, but just cannot justify a large machine. I know, I know, you guys are going to tell me to just bite the bullet and get a big hyd feed 12'' or bigger, but that just isn't in the mix for my setup. I have limited storage availability, and I like just driving my F-250 and 14' dump. I have looked at a few small chippers that I can roll onto the trailer and even into backyards that I think can really improve productivity. I'd like the Bandit 490xp, but it's 7000 new, and Ive never seen a used one. That small chipper is something that would reduce the branchy stuff, the logs will get carted like I do now. Any other options that come to mind? The Europeans love their small machines, most all of them run cart style chippers. The problem in the US is there are almost no options for a good compact commercial chipper.
I know alot of you guys can't imagine running a little portable chipper like that, and think the idea is a waste of time, but there are times that small portable equipment works really well. For instance, I do snow in the winter, and the blower I got this year is small, but runs circles around the big ones and is easier on my body. The Toro snowmaster singlestage. Its new this year and uses the same personal pace drive system that their push mowers have. Im not kidding this snowblower is twice as fast per job, and is twice as easy to load on the hitch haul since its really light etc. Thing runs all day long on a tank of fuel, and still goes through the deep stuff my 32'' John Deere bogged on. I know chippers are not the same story, bigger is probably better, but this is where I'm at. For really big jobs, I have a buddy with a 12'' chipper, or I could always rent.
Am I wasting my time looking at a small chipper for 30 jobs a year? Should I stay solo?