Introducing new equipment to the fleet does have a learning curve. Smith says, “Knowing customers are famil- iar with the best practices of use and operation of their machine is not only in the customers’ best interest, but it is also in our best interest because training reduces accidental damage of the machine, resulting in the most up- time possible.” When purchasing a new piece of equipment, two to three days of training with a brand expert is stan- dard. This top-to-bottom orientation is designed to ensure users are familiar with the machine and how to operate it in a variety of scenarios. COST CONSIDERATION Dealers may be able to connect buyers with current owners to ask questions and explore the financial and business implications of adding a knuckle-boom to the fleet—it’s always worth asking for a list of contacts. “When customers are doing their homework, talking to other owners and seeing a grapple-saw operat- ed by an experienced crew oen results in buyers being blown away by how safe Because of their unique valuations, it’s important to work with a finance company that understands the grapple truck and that also offers competitive rates and terms. Financing allows you to manage cash flow seamlessly by spreading out payments over a longer period of time instead of spending large amounts of cash that can be utilized for multiple smaller purchases, used for working capital or saved for emergency purposes. It’s important for business owners to keep good personal and business cred- it ratings. Without proven credit wor- thiness, your ability to purchase and finance the equipment that is needed to operate the business is limited. For companies, finding a suitable and trust- worthy funding model is of the utmost importance. Once a relationship is es- tablished and you’ve made timely loan payments, you increase the value of your business and the likelihood that
and efficient these machines can make the day-to-day jobs. In nearly every case, owners tell me this single machine was the best thing they have done for their business,” says Creekmore. “When grapple-saws were first intro- duced to the market, the companies that invested early on are true pioneers,” says Price. Today, those companies are making money, and there are plenty of owners who can help those considering adding this machine to their fleet deter- mine if it is a good investment. “People are initially surprised by price. Most have never spent that much for a piece of new equipment. It’s a big decision,” says Price. For smaller family businesses, this could mean cutting back in other areas to support a $300,000-$500,000 purchase. “When considering the overall purchase price of the unit, that number can be in- timidating, however when we can explain the breakdown in the cost and calculate the savings gained elsewhere within their business, the investment quickly makes sense,” says Smith. “These pack- ages are more affordable than they might have originally thought.” you are easily able to borrow again, when needed. Remember, you are a credit risk to the lender until you prove yourself a trust- worthy borrower. So make your pay- ments on time and it’s a win-win for both of you. Providing financing for businesses coast to coast, Northern Atlantic’s own- er, JoAnn Cucciarre, has more than 25 years in the industry. JoAnn takes pride in her relationships and celebrates the success of her customers as she’s seen so many of their businesses grow over the years. Northern Atlantic Financial, LLC spe- cializes in the arborist industry. They believe in long-term partnerships with customers and their commitment to of- fering customers the most competitive financing programs available is their utmost priority.
does this offer these professionals the chance to extend their careers, it also means they’re going home at the end of the day with energy to have a person- al life.” If those senior team members have been climbing for 20-plus years, this is an opportunity to keep them en- gaged without moving them into sales roles. Aer all, not everyone with this level of experience is suited to or wants to move into sales. Knuckle-booms with a grapple attachment are not a one-size-fits-all solution. These machines come in different sizes and configurations, and it’s important to pick the right mix for business needs. Photo courtesy of Albach. Financing Knuckle- Boom Trucks By JoAnn Cucciarre Knuckle-boom trucks are one the most powerful and effective pieces of equip- ment used to collect bulky waste, includ- ing brush, trees, leaves, shrubs, logs, stumps, branches and more. While their usefulness is at an all-time high, so is their cost. So, when purchasing a new grapple truck, expect a hey price tag. However, a dependable, late-model, used truck can provide similar options and features as a new one for a significantly lower price. Keep in mind, when look- ing up the NADA value on a used unit, it will be difficult to find a published value in line with the actual worth, since the back-end knuckle-boom is worth more than the truck it’s on.
12 | ArborTIMES Spring 2023
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