New member after some advice-chipper and man viable business?

[Gray git]

One of my setups
7k van and 40k chipper which in my mind is a far better distribution of funds because if the van breaks get another or hitch the chipper to something else and carry on but if the chipper brakes then your not working.
If your going down the chipper route I'd consider going big and American as most firms don't have this and run smaller machines and increasingly sub 750kg so when a big job comes in that becomes the choke point so hiring in a bigger machine makes sense and worth decent money.
Like a few have said a big grinder can work well as a stand alone service, tracked mewp or mini loader are also things a lot of companies don't own or use often enough to justify having but will become increasingly in demand as the benefits are realised more widely and can also cross over to other industries so upping the number of potential clients and filled days.
I'd say I almost cover the cost of our landy cherrypicker each year with extra jobs especially little 1 or 2 hr jobs fitted in around our regular working day putting up signs, chimney liners, slipped roof tiles, running cables inside farm buildings etc that the client is happy to pay a decent bit for as its easy and convenient for us to drop in and do with them.

[Yeti2018]

15 minutes ago, Gray git said:

One of my setups
7k van and 40k chipper which in my mind is a far better distribution of funds because if the van breaks get another or hitch the chipper to something else and carry on but if the chipper brakes then your not working.
If your going down the chipper route I'd consider going big and American as most firms don't have this and run smaller machines and increasingly sub 750kg so when a big job comes in that becomes the choke point so hiring in a bigger machine makes sense and worth decent money.
Like a few have said a big grinder can work well as a stand alone service, tracked mewp or mini loader are also things a lot of companies don't own or use often enough to justify having but will become increasingly in demand as the benefits are realised more widely and can also cross over to other industries so upping the number of potential clients and filled days.
I'd say I almost cover the cost of our landy cherrypicker each year with extra jobs especially little 1 or 2 hr jobs fitted in around our regular working day putting up signs, chimney liners, slipped roof tiles, running cables inside farm buildings etc that the client is happy to pay a decent bit for as its easy and convenient for us to drop in and do with them.

Your kit looks amazing. Thanks to all who have commented. I've took all the advice on board. I'm definitely not going to chuck a load of cash at this and hope for the best. I've only got one shot so I need to make sure what I do invest in works. I'm starting to think, get as many courses done as possible, speak to everyone I come across and learn as much as possible and then when and if the time is right, I would love to have a 3.5 tipper, heavy duty chipper, heavy duty stump grinder and any other "specialist plant". I don't want to buy the "run of the mill" kit as others have said theres plenty who have this already or can hire cheaply from hire shops. Maybe il look into offering a "services" business; Chipper and man, stump grinder, small tree felling, etc. It's a lot to think about. 

The landy cherry picker sounds a brilliant bit of kit. Any photos of it bud?

[Gray git]

This is it.
Handy that it can still tow stuff to site so often fetches the grinder out or just a trailer for logs or as 1 unit for hedge cutting

[Matthew Storrs]

1 hour ago, Gray git said:

This is it.
Handy that it can still tow stuff to site so often fetches the grinder out or just a trailer for logs or as 1 unit for hedge cutting

Nice! But mainly I’m just impressed you haven’t managed to bend those front roof rack supports yet on low branches!

[Matthew Storrs]

There is also the mini digger idea- forget having just a standard machine and bucket though- equip it with tree related gear- rotating grab, rake, tree shear etc. £40k will get you a nice 2.5tonner with all the attachments. My buisness would cease to exist without mine!

[benedmonds]

45 minutes ago, Matthew Storrs said:

There is also the mini digger idea- forget having just a standard machine....

I think that would be a better investment for 1 man. But still doubt you'll get rich..

[Rich Rule]

+1 on the mini digger plus attachments.

 

Good luck and make sure it doesn't get knicked mate.  Likewise, with the chipper and truck options.

[Yeti2018]

39 minutes ago, benedmonds said:

I think that would be a better investment for 1 man. But still doubt you'll get rich..

Thanks for your comments, il look into it. Not looking for fortunes just a decent wage every week that I can live comfortably on. ??

[Yeti2018]

Does anyone know if you can keep the chipper etc at home address or do the neighbours moan and say your running a business from home? 

[Yeti2018]

By the way thanks for everyone's comments it's been most helpful and insightful. Really positive forum. Cheers fellas.