Custom build: finding a truck that fits your specific needs.
Published in: Arbor Age
Date: 4/1/2005
By: Goforth, Richard
WHEN BUYING A CUSTOM-BUILT FORESTRY TRUCK PACKAGE, THERE ARE MANY things to consider. The first, and most obvious consideration, is how the truck is to be used.
The type of work the truck is to perform must be relayed to the body manufacturer, who can help the tree company with the body and chassis specifications. If the tree company is looking to get into larger tree take downs, the most likely choice of body packages would be a larger capacity, 20 to 40 yards, with possibly a log loader. In this case, a body package that the crew can chip into as well as load logs. The largest chip body we manufacture at Southco Industries is a 30-cubic-yard capacity for a single axle, 33,000 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) chassis cab. However, a tree company that plans on loading larger logs may want to consider a tandem chassis cab with approximately 60,000 GVWR. A tandem rear axle chassis cab can accommodate a much larger body package–normally 18- to 24-feet in length–and usually a log loader, Log Lift by Cargotec or Prentice Loader.
A major consideration regarding chassis cabs is the GVWR, which is the amount of total weight the package can carry, including payload and weight of the body, chassis cab and loader (if attached). Any chassis cab having a GVWR over 26,001 requires the driver to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). A chassis cab over 33,000 GVWR, as in the tandem scenario, requires a 12 percent Federal Excise Tax to be charged on the chassis cab as well as the equipment installed, body and loader.
Tree companies that are not into larger take downs, and are looking for a tree truck to work in a general residential tree service, have several options; from light-duty chassis cabs, such as the Ford F-550 and GMC 5500 series (17,500 to 19,000 GVWR) up to medium-duty chassis cabs, such as the Ford F-650, International 4300 or 4400 and GMC 6500 (24,500 to 26,000 GVWR). Body packages that are available for the light-duty chassis come in 9-foot to 11-foot-6-inch body lengths with 8- to 12-cubic-yard load capacities. The medium-duty chassis come in 12- to 16-foot body lengths with 12- to 20-cubic-yard load capacities. All of the chassis cabs come in four door or extended cab models, which allows for the transportation of more than the normal two- to three-man crew.
Chassis Brand, Gas vs. Diesel, Manual vs. Automatic, and other Deciding Factors
Customers often ask me, “What brand of chassis should I buy?” I reply that they should buy the chassis brand that can offer service in their town. All brands of truck will require service and repair.
Diesel or gas engine, manual or automatic transmission? Approximately 90 percent of the chassis cabs we sell have diesel engines, and 60 percent of the transmissions are automatic. Allison automatics in medium-duty chassis cabs are reliable, but are $2,000 to $4,000 higher in the medium series units.
As mentioned earlier, there are several styles of body packages available for both the light-duty and medium-duty chassis cabs. For example, a multipurpose style body–available for both size chassis–allows the tree company to remove the top of the body to allow multiple uses. With the top on the body it is a regular chipper truck. Take the top off and it becomes a dump truck for mulch, dirt, etc. The multi-purpose body also includes the option of removable sides–when the top and side are removed, the unit becomes a flatbed truck to carry sprayers or other bulk items.
As in any industry, there are many options available for the trucks used in that industry. The tree industry is no exception. The first option is tool-boxes for storage. A new option that has become popular is LED lighting and four-point LED strobe light systems. Another useful option is pullout rope hooks in the crossbox assembly. Also, top ladder racks for the longer ladders required. Some tree companies are utilizing corner-mount cranes, liftgates and front-mounted winches mounted on chipper trucks–anything to make the job quicker and easier for the crew.
Richard Goforth is vice president of Southco Industries, Inc., a Shelby, N.C. manufacturer that builds tree trucks for the tree industry. He can be reached via e-mail at richard.goforth@southcoindustries.com. For more information about Southco Industries, visit www.southcoindustries.com.
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