according to the soil type,” says Houser.
Soil type can also affect the type of air excavator being used. Arborjet’s Supersonic Air Knife , for example, has an option that allows ar- borists to add water to an air excavator, according to Brewer. “If you have really dry compacted clay soil or heavy soil, air alone doesn’t break that up well, so adding some wa- ter to it helps break up that dry clay soil,” he says. Another advantage to air excavators is that they allow arborists to add insecti- cides and pesticides to the tree’s soil to help it stay healthy. Arborjet has provided solutions for pest infestation and disease for the past 20 years and has seen urban forests invaded by insects. The company’s Supersonic Air Knife can get needed chemistries into the soil to provide preventive care for trees and lessen the environmental impact. “Increasing tree health to limit pest presence is one of the easiest ways to do that,” Brewer says. “It can lower that chemical imprint but still have a per- manent effect on the tree.” COMPRESSED AIR IS THE KEY One of the most important pieces of equipment when operating an air ex- cavator is an air compressor. An Air- Spade, for example, usually requires a tow-behind air compressor to utilize the tool, Landers says. Arborists who use air excavators may want to consider different options, de- pending on the type of air excavator they’re using or the work it’s intend- ed for. The cubic feet of air per minute (cfm) of an air compressor oen de- pends on the site being worked. The most popular tow-behind air com- pressors are rated at 185 cfm, accord- ing to Landers. Arborists working at larger job sites, or where more air flow is required to run multiple tools, may
AirSpade’s vacuum excavator is a mobile alternative capable of vacuuming up to two cubic feet per minute of soil, sand, gravel, small rocks, and muck.
can also be an issue.
prefer 375 cfm compressors.
“The compressor requires normal engine maintenance and tire replace- ment,” says Houser, who owns several air compressors. “The air supply lines must be replaced over time.” An air excavator, on the other hand, doesn’t require much maintenance,
Arborists will also want to consider whether to rent compressors on an as-needed basis or commit to buying one. Equipment rental companies may offer enticing discounts if compressors are used for multiple days of work.
If you own a compressor, maintenance
Earning Power
According to AirSpade, arborists can earn profits of $1,000 to $2,000 per day using an air excava- tor. Here’s a breakdown of the estimated revenue and expenses. Estimated Revenue Vertical mulching: $100-$150 per hour
Estimated Expenses Labor and travel: $450-$1,100 per day Soil amendments: $25-50 per tree Air compressor rental and fuel: $200-$300 per day Source: AirSpade
Root pruning: $100-$150 per hour Soil cultivation: $100-$150 per hour Radical trenching: $100-$150 per hour Root collar excavation: $500-$1,200 per tree Bare rooting and transplanting: $500-$1,000 per inch of tree diameter
ArborTIMES Summer 2024 | 49
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