Okay guys ( girls ) my question is this. I'm from New England and I've worked as a logger for many years running all the usual equipment. In the past months I've been thinking about going into business for myself. I am leaning toward investing in a processor and forwarder so I can cut out a skidder and a delimber. Does anyone have practical advice and preferably someone who already owns their own business. Thanks everyone.
Start small, and avoid banks, unless you think you can feed yourself and a 6000 payment every month on what ever wood is in front of you.
As for equipment, look around at what the folks around you are using and why. Processor and a forwarder are all fine and good on reasonably flat ground and smallish wood.
start getting into oversize stuff that the processor can't handle, then what?
Anyway take a long hard look at the shear amount of cash you will need to purchase even a used processor, and forwarder. (talkin easily 200k if you want something that will work and run), then remember fuel, parts, insurance (way high if you owe money on it) stumpage, then once all thats paid for you still have rent/mortgage, power, fud, etc
There's a whole lot more to it then just slamming trees and getting production, have to bid jobs competitively, and still make money, while not pissing everyone around you off (which by the way, if you find yourself undercutting everyone else by a whole lot... you ****ed up and need to reconsider some things)