property is equally as important. Ma- chinery that is too heavy for the terrain introduces the possibility of tipping over, risking safety and potentially causing damage. As for riskier scenarios, Smith adds, “Trees that are decayed to the point that it is entirely unsafe to access by climbing can be removed without a climber or li which can eliminate the need for personnel in the drop zone.” Similarly, storm clean-up is another use case when knuckle-booms equipped with a grapple-saw attachment are par- ticularly useful. “Aer a storm that has uprooted or demolished many trees, the result can make manual process- ing very dangerous, as it is difficult to assess how the tensioned debris will behave,” says DC Creekmore, a senior account manager with Altec. “Due to the high liing power and the long reach of a grapple-saw, debris can be grabbed, disassembled and deposited from a safe distance.” Knuckle-boom trucks partner excep- tionally well with other equipment al- ready in the fleet, including a chipper and chip truck. For example, it is not uncommon to get in a tree with the
cutting head, cut a limb, bring it down and lay it right on the chipper tray. Do- ing this can move crew members away from the chipper feed, further improv- ing safety. BUSINESS GROWTH Experts all agree that the tree care companies processing a lot of work in a single day are using their knuck- le-boom truck as a front-line machine. Whether a company is running a single crew for the entire project or is struc- tured with a removal crew and a chase crew to manage finishing touches and clean-up, efficiency is drastically im- proved. “It allows a company to com- pletely reinvent their business and make a huge difference in their lives because it can double or triple their in- come,” says Price. “It’s possible to earn your monthly financing payment in a single day of work.” Unlike other large equipment, knuckle- booms require skilled operators, and as a result, tree care companies are buying or leasing these units in lieu of renting. “Once you have a knuckle-boom truck in your fleet and are very comfortable operating it, it opens the door to sub-
contract yourself and the machine to another tree care company you like to work with. Many companies have a lot of success with subcontract work when the parties have a good working rela- tionship,” suggests Creekmore. Alter- natively, some projects might require other liing solutions. For example, the grapple-saw can be removed and replaced with a liing hook, making it simple to expand your services for non- tree projects such as placing a hot tub on a deck or an air-conditioning unit on top of a building. The skills to operate this kind of machinery are in demand, opening avenues to additional revenue streams. “The investment in this equipment is exactly that, an investment in increased efficiency, increased safety, control of crane availability to their business and access to a wealth of existing owners willing to help them out,” says Smith. “These machines create opportunities to be profitable when arbor-care in- dustry sales are down, but they make profitable tree work seasons even more lucrative.” Doing the required due dil- igence is essential, and having open discussions with dealers and existing owners helps prospective owners make sound decisions on what will ensure the greatest return on investment. THINGS TO CONSIDER Knuckle-booms with a grapple attach- ment are not a one-size-fits-all solution. These machines come in different siz- es and configurations, and it’s import- ant to pick the right mix for business needs. “You don’t want to buy a truck that is short and can’t reach the trees you’re giving estimates on, but you also don’t want to buy a 115-foot truck when most days you only need to reach 70 feet,” says Price. “Paying extra mon- ey for something you’re not going to use doesn’t make good business sense, and any good dealer will ask targeted questions to help guide you to the right machine.” Smith echoes this, stating, “A customer located in rural Kansas has much dif- ferent needs than a customer working
Once you have a knuckle-boom truck in your fleet and are comfortable operating it, it opens the door to subcon- tract yourself and the machine to another tree care company you like to work with. Photo courtesy of Albach.
10 | ArborTIMES Spring 2023
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