From Arb to forestry

[southdowns]

Hey guys, a bit new on here

 

Just want some advice really. So iv been running my arb business for 10 years now. first started when i was 19 after college and am now turning over 80,000 a year but iv kind of hit a glass ceiling. couple that with having a string of bad luck and the most appaling people to deal with in an urban setting i was thinking of changing my business to forestry.

 

what do you all think? im not talking massive forestry work but more selective oak and other hardwoods using a mog or daf 4x4 with hiab. i have buyers for hard wood.

 

if im felling and extracting using a daf 4x4 with hiab and delivering it to the sawmill could i earn some decent money out of it. could i get £400-450 of oak on the back of a vehicle like that and drop to the sawmill then come back for the rest to take the rest to my yard as firewood.

 

maybe im being crazy and just a bit fed up at the moment, but kind of fancy getting out of urban tree work and being on my own working amongst the sticks:001_smile:

 

look forward to you opinions

[Big T]

Sounds like a nice idea to me! I'm sure others with more experience will post soon, gd luck mate!

[THE88MAN]

Hey guys, a bit new on here

 

Just want some advice really. So iv been running my arb business for 10 years now. first started when i was 19 after college and am now turning over 80,000 a year but iv kind of hit a glass ceiling. couple that with having a string of bad luck and the most appaling people to deal with in an urban setting i was thinking of changing my business to forestry.

 

what do you all think? im not talking massive forestry work but more selective oak and other hardwoods using a mog or daf 4x4 with hiab. i have buyers for hard wood.

 

if im felling and extracting using a daf 4x4 with hiab and delivering it to the sawmill could i earn some decent money out of it. could i get £400-450 of oak on the back of a vehicle like that and drop to the sawmill then come back for the rest to take the rest to my yard as firewood.

 

maybe im being crazy and just a bit fed up at the moment, but kind of fancy getting out of urban tree work and being on my own working amongst the sticks:001_smile:

 

look forward to you opinions

my opinion is its not that easy

[AlexB]

Forestry sucks, slim margins, long days, hard work (not many want to work as hard as you need to in forestry) don't forget you'll need to buy the timber...... Driving your 4x4 daf through a wood is likely to knacker it. Stumps, branches catching stuff, hydraulic pipes on cranes...... Have fun!

[Mark Bolam]

You've done well mate.

You'd be better off mentally, if not financially, seeking better customers.

 

You don't have to work for idiots, it's your show.

 

I love forestry, but it's pure hard graft for slim pickings IMO.

You can't really dabble in it and do that well, you need serious kit.

I do a bit of subby stuff for mates here and there, and really enjoy it, but enjoy the break when I get back to arb!

 

There's a good few lads on here with a wealth of experience on here who will help you out.

Don't listen to TCD though, he's a miserable old barsteward.

(Only joking John!).

 

I'm guessing you're West Sussex based?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

[Joe Newton]

I've recently started my first hardwood thinning (only 60 trees) in 3 years, and CHRIST I'm shagged!

 

I'm happier in the saddle where I can act the hero while doing barely sod all

[Joe Newton]

I've recently started my first hardwood thinning (only 60 trees) in 3 years, and CHRIST I'm shagged!

 

I'm happier in the saddle where I can act the hero while doing barely sod all

 

 

That said, it's been great fun (apart from being whacked on the head by a hangar) and I'd love to do more of it!

 

Good luck

[southdowns]

I know it's not easy, I admit I am, as most climbers, an adrenalin junky. Just fuckibg fed up with neighbours, council HSE wankers and people constantly moaning while your trying to make a living. I did a job opposite a school last week, they didn't like 6 large ash trees coming down so did anything to stop us. HSE got involved, couldn't fault us apart from one question.....how are you going to control dust as dust could go in the children's eyes! Dust for **** sake! I said they could blink. Didn't go down well.

 

Maybe just crack on with arb but being in the middle of no where with no hassle from the public sounds appealing

[TobyAllen]

Sounds like a plan.

Have you already got a source of standing oak accessible to a daf4x4?

How much has the mill offered for oak ?

 

As long as you can keep the timber coming out for less than your selling it for you'll be ok.

[Wood wasp]

I understand you reaching breaking point with the hse when they come away with nonsense like that. I'm not sure swapping to forestry will solve your problems though as it's beset with same nonsense, likewise the great british urban public/small minded people can be found everywhere.

 

Coming back to forestry specifically you need lots of specialised kit and it's more expensive than arb stuff. Will take a while building up contacts on estates etc also to try source the timber.

 

Suggest you take a holiday and come back with a clear mind and then make decision on way ahead.

 

Good luck.

 

Edit: or don't turn your back on arb altogether but keep at it for income stream while you build forestry side of business

Edited January 29, 2015 by Wood wasp