logs to big to mulch

[elk land restoration]

When mulching, What do you do with the downed trees and logs/stumps that are too big to mulch? Do you drag to a pile and burn as part of the job? Or haul away? Or simply leave for the customer to deal with as out of scope.

 

[DirtyWorks]

all of the above. Depends on what the customer is willing to pay for. If they want something done we quote a price and go from there.

 

[Gamma]

Do this with them: Bandit Industries, Inc.

 

[jmfox]

I like the big grinder idea, but what about burying this stuff. I have the spots to fill, but I'm concerned about settling pains.

jmf

 

[cbturf]

I personally sell my service as an alternative to burning. If burning is an option and it is usually cheaper than grinding so why not burn the whole job. What ever you do never mention the competition in your sales pitch even if it is just burning. Find a way to grind it if you can, if not you may have to cut it up and haul it away. If you intend to leave it for the customer he will need another contractor to come in and get the big stuff. Since I am the other contractor with the bigger machines I can promise you that he will try to convince the customer to just let him do the whole job and not have to pay the extra cost and have the delay of two guys moving in and out. I try to NEVER give any customer a chance to find a cheaper way to clear the land. Just my opinion...

 

[Robbie Hegwood]

If the trees are to big you need a bigger mulcher. I am cleaning up storm damage on our demo. I am using a 100 h.p. skid and our DAF-080 and I am mulching up 20" pines that are down.
Another good option if you have the smaller equipment it buddy up with someone like CB who has the larger equipment. Choose carefully but it can work. Both of you are in the same boat and it will keep the customer from shopping. It is nice to know whatever a customer ask you to mulch you can handle the job with your backup partner. Also on larger jobs smaller tractor are good for cleanup running behind the big boys.

Around here larger mulcher offer there service as an alternative to tub grinding. It takes alot of h.p. but it works.

 

[Cat_Driver]

Sub it out. Contact a guy who has the big equipment and sub contract for those few trees you can't do - cheaper in the long run.
Or you can rent the equipment. I called on a drum chipper, but WOW it was 4K a day.

 

[cbturf]

Robbie is right call me!!! I would love to run from job to job and not have to hunt for any work on my own.

 

[KentT]

Sub it out. Contact a guy who has the big equipment and sub contract for those few trees you can't do - cheaper in the long run.
Or you can rent the equipment. I called on a drum chipper, but WOW it was 4K a day.

That sounds about right...

I paid $425 an hour for a 385HP tub grinder and the excavator to feed it -- two years ago, before diesel went through the roof. However, they ground a brushpile that was about 75 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 15-20 feet tall in 10 hours on the meter...

To make sure that the expensive equipment made the best use of that time, I also paid an additional $75 an hour for a little Komatsu dozer to keep the brush pushed up to the excavator for chipping, and to keep the mulch pushed out of the way...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/49/147313158_700e86c774_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/44/147314422_379a04c27a_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/53/147314338_213c06329d_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/55/147312618_34c64741d3_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/53/147314383_a6240a2c0e_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/46/147312689_0c18373efe_b.jpg

IMO, the bottom line is that tub grinders are quite expensive to get to the site, and to operate while there, and so they aren't cost effective for smaller jobs...

 

[Richard]

I like the big grinder idea, but what about burying this stuff. I have the spots to fill, but I'm concerned about settling pains.

I'd never use organic material for fill. Do it right the first time. Your concern(s) about settling pains is a valid one.