igottacabstar

Well you're definitely unlucky because it's nothing like that down here in Cornwall. Think I've only ever seen an EA vehicle once or twice in my life, and farmers round here are having massive fires everyday so my occassional burn-up hardly stands out! Would be amazed if any of the tree firms in my area have ever had any dealings with the EA, let alone have an exemption cert to carry woodchip in there trucks - reckon most of them would absolutely piss them selves if it was even suggested!

There's always a reason trees can't be climbed Steve - usually boils down to a lack of something or other:bawling:

I think you have been very unlucky! In most cases if you buy a field out in the sticks and dump a load of woodchip there no one would even know - and if any one did know they probably wouldn't give a rats ass! You must have EA inspectors patrolling the countryside in your area.

I think it's you mewp lovers that are worried about the tree falling over - I bet you guys stop half way up to make sure your hairs not out of place and put on a bit of lippy.

Let's be honest, if mewps were that much quicker everyone would be using one. The fact that they've been around for donkeys years and still only a minority rates them speaks volumes. Even if they were quicker than climbing the cost of them out weighs any time you might save on the tree - and professional tree work is about making money after all.

Thanks for the info Greenboy.

I check it myself every time I use it. Quite honestly if you're not capable of doing that then you must be a complete liability up a tree.

but mewps still are a waste of time and money in 99% of cases ay skyhuck:crazy:

Don't forget that buying land is not like buying a piece of machinery - it will go up in value as time drifts by..........

Well if something does go wrong just take it off the trailer before the h&s dude turns up.

Yeah but not exactly comfortable.

Look at me in my pic - I think it looks rather dashing!

???? just leave it attached to your hat - it's not like it gets in the way! Plus it stops so much saw dust getting down your top. And I fail to see how it makes you look like a prat.

I bought a 1 acre field to store my woodchip/logs and have the occassional bonfire. Cost 10 grand 5 years ago but I rent most of it out to someone with a pony for £50 per month so it's paying for itself - plus it's probably worth about 20 grand now! As for the woodchip pile, you would be amazed how quickly it decomposes. It must lose half its volume in 12 months. Plus you can always sell a few loads, I get about £60 for 5 cubes.

Well now I'm pooping it! I ain't ever bothered having any of my kit inspected (doubt I'm the only one)! What's the chances of me being checked to see if I have been complying with LOLER regs (assuming I don't have a bad accident)?

I can't see mewp users ever undercutting non-mewp users - except when they're absolutely necessary. This is due to the fact the price of the job would have to cover the cost of the purchase of the mewp plus associated running costs (including a second vehicle to get the thing to site) - not to mention the fact that most tree jobs can be done just as quick, if not quicker by climbing.

sorry monkeyd but skyhuck is definitely winning this one!!

When I think of a MEWP I think of a piece of expensive kit that isn't going to earn me an extra penny - whether you buy one or hire one. Round here they're rarely used by tree surgeons, so if my quotes start including the cost of using a MEWP instead of just getting my lazy ass up the tree guess who ain't gonna get the job?! Very rarely MEWPs are needed for safety reasons and this would be the only time I would consider hiring one in. Remember, they don't make jobs any quicker to do and you need a second vehicle to get it to site because your truck is towing the chipper!

Yeah you got a point there, guess it would sound pretty impressive considering most log suppliers round here don't quote moisture content. Think I'll get one!

That's a relief - I was starting to think the pound might be worth more in Cornwall or something - but no, people work for crap money in Lincs aswell! In reply to Roller, charging the rates that I do covers the purchase and running costs of my truck, chipper, saws, climbing gear, PL insurance, income tax, etc... and pays my mortgage and bills and leaves me a bit put away for a rainy day! What more could one want?!

Well this thread has certainly been a bit of an eye opener! Down here in Cornwall I can sub in a very good, experienced climber who will do any tree job for £85-£100 per day - and that's with his own 200T + fuel and climbing gear! I then do the ground work using my truck, chipper, big saws and yard and charge the customer around £220-£300 depending on how difficult the job is. Tree firms round here generally consist of the owner plus 1-3 staff (some employed, some subbies) and would generally charge between £200 - £300 per day for 2 men plus truck and chipper - it's all people are willing to pay! Self employed groundsmen get about £55-£60 per day (£70 if lucky) and climbers would be looking at around £80-£100 per day (£120 if lucky). Personally, if I can make £150 - £200 per day for myself after paying wages then I think that's pretty okay! I know I've got lots of overheads to pay plus around 40 grands worth of kit that I've bought, but it's all paid for and I own my own yard. If tree firms in Cornwall started asking for £600-£1000 per day for 2 men plus a truck and chipper I can guarantee that no one would have any work - ever! Still, perhaps that's just Cornwall?

I sell a level load of split logs in the back of my Cabstar for £90. The wood is a mixture of hard and soft and is stored outside in my yard for a year in the round then split to order (stored in the round so it is less likely to go walkies - if you know what I mean). To be honest I haven't got a clue what the moisture content of the logs would be and I don't think many of my customers would either! Still, I sell around 35-40 loads per season and people keep coming back for more!

The only problem with Defender tippers are that they are like gold dust to find and they cost a small fortune compared to other trucks.

Your business sounds very similar to mine Cordwood - more tree work in the autumn and winter, then in the spring and summer tons of grass to cut and Leylandii hedges to trim. I've even got the muddy yard problem (which to be honest I think a lot of tree surgeons have!). I find that my Nissan Cabstar serves me well, it's definitely a better quality truck than the Transit or dreaded LDV! and being mid-engined the weight of the truck when unladen is spread more evenly over the 4 wheels and so doesn't get stuck in the mud as easily as some other trucks. The down side with Cabstars is the lack of room in the cab - you could fit more gear in the footwell of a small car. I sub contract 2 part timers throughout the year and am currently on the look out for a cheap and cheerful Toyota Hilux 4x4 (or similar) as a second truck so that I can start getting 2 jobs on the go at the same time - so if any one has got one for sale in Cornwall for around the 2 grand mark get in touch!