Everything Must Go

[Canuck]

Well after alot of thought and soul searching I've decided that its time to get out of the tree business. Long story short its whats best for myself and my family and we need a change. Everything is for sale. I'll list some stuff right now and then later in the week when I have time to go through all my shat I'll post more.


2008 Morbark Blizzard 14 w/ `115hp Cat 270 hours, 2500 lbs hydraulic winch, spare tire, 4 sets of knives one brand new.
$30,000

1992 Morbark 290 w/ 100hp Cummins, hours unkown. She aint pretty but she gets the job done.
$6,000

Ramrod 900 Mini Skid with smooth bucket, 27hp Kholer.
$6,000

Branch Manager Attachments Grapple
$1500

Thats it for now. I'll get the rest up later. Prices are in US dollars. Canadian residents must pay GST.

[Thor's Hammer]

Wow Ben, big decision. Whats the future hold for you businesswise? I thought you had your area sewn up?

[Canuck]

Wow Ben, big decision. Whats the future hold for you businesswise? I thought you had your area sewn up?


I do have my area sewn up. My reasons for leaving have nothing to do with a lack of work and clientele. Businesswise? Not really 100% sure, I'm leaning heavily towards real estate and looking at some other options. I may go back to school.

[Thor's Hammer]

Have you thought about selling the business complete? You might have already, but with you having a good client list and city contracts, I would have thought it would be worth $$$.

[inztrees]

best of luck

[Canuck]

I talked with a banker friend and he basically told me that right now banks will not finance good will in a service business. Everything has to be asset backed or they won't touch it. My foreman is very interested in buying the business but I would have to finance him and I'm not prepared to do that. I might keep the old chipper and the one ton around and work out a deal where he gets the name number and some basic gear in return for me getting a x percentage of his production for x number of years. Frankly though I'd really rather just sell the shit and be done with it.

[stehansen]

I talked with a banker friend and he basically told me that right now banks will not finance good will in a service business. Everything has to be asset backed or they won't touch it. My foreman is very interested in buying the business but I would have to finance him and I'm not prepared to do that. I might keep the old chipper and the one ton around and work out a deal where he gets the name number and some basic gear in return for me getting a x percentage of his production for x number of years. Frankly though I'd really rather just sell the shit and be done with it.

You might catch someone who isn't borrowing the money from a bank. I didn't when I bought mine.

[Skwerl]

I'm sorry to hear that, Ben. I certainly wish you well with whatever career you choose.

And unless you absolutely positively need all the money right now, why not finance part of the deal for your foreman? You may end up getting much more out of the gig than trying to sell the equipment separately and you can also charge him a higher interest rate than you'd earn with the money sitting in a savings account. I would have preferred a cash sale on my old bucket truck but I'll end up with more money carrying the note.

[NeTree]

Hate to see you leave the biz, but I do hope you happy and safe times in whatever you choose to go into.

[brendonv]

Wow, good luck to you in the future!

[NickfromWI]

Big decision...I think Darin might have something to say about this though!!!

[MasterBlaster]

At least keep your climbing gear and a couple saws. I sold all my stuff once and lived to regret it.

[squisher]

Dang Ben, best of luck with whatever your future holds.

About six months late or I probably would've bought most of your equipment :cry:. Woulda saved a tidy buck over shelling out for new too.

[Old Monkey]

Big decision...I think Darin might have something to say about this though!!!

I promise to be good this time. I sure do hate to hear about guys giving up the business especially when it isn't for lack of work. Would you have been happier if you stayed smaller? I plan to stay small as long as I can and to try to enjoy myself. This week and last I have been dropping my daughter off at school in the morning at 9 am, I cannot imagine other work that would allow me the flexibility.

[brendonv]

I hate hearing this also, 2 good guys giving it up lately. Not to reassurring be young n'all. It seems like you must have had a couple crews, that's alot of equipment there. Maybe headaches? I dunno.

I am with Darin, staying small with me and a groundie, a few days a week. Don't owe much on the equipment so picking and choosing my work how I want is nice.

Like I said, good luck in your new adventure.

[sotc]

wow, best of luck!

[top hopper]

Good luck Ben!

Your decision was not taken lightly Im sure.

No matter what others say, I dont think anyless of you for making that decision.

You havent given up, your simply moving on is all!

[The Branch Doctor]

Wow, I hope everything will come together for ya bro!

Don't sell all your climbing gear and chainsaws. Even though you are going another way with your life you can still do a side job here and there when money gets tight.

[Canuck]

Oh I'll keep enough of the basics around to be able to the odd side job if I need to/ feel like it. Even if its just for rec climbing or taking care of my own trees. I might move up to edmonton and if so I'm sure Craig won't let me get away with out the odd day of contract climbing.

[Canuck]

If someone buys both the mini and the grapple I'll throw in the tandem axle 16' flat deck trailer. I'll tell you now its not the prettiest trailer that ever lived but it can haul both the mini and a big pile of logs at the same time.

[Old Monkey]

Good luck Ben!

Your decision was not taken lightly Im sure.

No matter what others say, I dont think anyless of you for making that decision.

You havent given up, your simply moving on is all!

I don't think any less of either of you, in fact I respect you both. It is discouraging though to see good guys hang it up.

[vharrison]

Ben, best of luck to you. If you go back to school, what will you study?

[Paul B]

Good luck with whatever you end up doing Ben!

[Tree Guy's Wife]

Good luck with whatever you chose to do in the future.

This business takes a lot out of you, and your family. Sometimes it's not always worth it.

[Banned by Squirrels]

I don't think any less of either of you, in fact I respect you both. It is discouraging though to see good guys hang it up.

Ya big meanie. :P

[Mr. Sir]

Good luck with whatever you chose to do in the future.

This business takes a lot out of you, and your family. Sometimes it's not always worth it.

I must be doing it wrong. I think its pretty easy compared to most 9 to 5 jobs. :?

[Tree Guy's Wife]

Growing a company can be tough. Tree Guy often works 60 - 70 hour weeks. If I want to see him I go pricing with him a lot of the time. There is never a day off. A completely free weekend is non-existent. It's hard to leave town and trust that the crew is going to take care of things. If there is a cash flow crunch in the company then it is the family that feels it, not the company/employees.

I'm not saying it's not without it's benefits - we couldn't go back to the 9 to 5 grind. Owning a company, though, effects the whole family in ways that most 9 to 5 jobs just don't. Not every family can do it, and do it long-term.


Our plan/hope is that as we grow the business things will ease up, but it takes time.

[Mr. Sir]

Dang! If I worked 60 - 70 hours a week, I'd have to hire another employee...































...just to count all my money!!! :P

[Tree Guy's Wife]

:lol:

Alrighty then.

[squisher]

Damn that was quick! Ohhhh that Morbark, that's a deal I tell ya!

[Canuck]

It is a damn fine chipper.

[stehansen]

It is a damn fine chipper.

Is that the one you just bought for a city contract?

[Canuck]

Yes sir it is. It is only 2 months old.

[stehansen]

What is the specs on it. I can't even afford a T-shirt after fixing my boom truck but I would like to dream for a second.

[Canuck]

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d92/avaricous_arborist/chipper/blizzard/P6160056.jpg

[stehansen]

Now I need a cold shower.:)

[Canuck]

Copy and Paste From My Quote.


55” x 33” rigid infeed chute with an 18” wide x 14” high throat opening and
reversible feed works controls.
14” Chipping Capacity
Single (top) horizontal feed wheel measuring 20” wide x 18” diameter with hydraulic lift assist, manually applied hydraulic down pressure and Automatic Reversing Feed System.

20” diameter drum with fan air-impeller and two (2) dual-edged chipper knives
31-gallon lockable fuel tank with and sight gauge
14-gallon lockable hydraulic oil tank
Live hydraulics including: ball valve, pump, motor, and V-20 valve
360-degree manual cranking, height-adjustable, swivel discharge chute with adjustable
flipper end to deflect chips
2” x 4” tubular frame with 4”square main center beam and telescoping tongue

6000# electric braking axle with electric break-away actuator
LT245/75R 16 Radial tires with rims
License plate holder with light
Steel battery box
Bolt-on resin tool box
Clasp hooks on safety chains
Registration and operator guide holder
5000# tongue jack and stationary foot pad
Bolt-on Aluminum Diamond Plate Fenders
Sealed heavy duty tail lights
Engine fully enclosed with fines screen over radiator
2-1/2” lunet ring with flat 7-pin electrical connector
Caterpillar Tier II, Diesel Engine with Pre-Cleaner, 115-HP @ 2300 RPM

Spare LT 245/75R x 16 Tire and Rim with Spare Tire Mount

Variable Speed Flow Control
Folding Infeed Tray

2500 Hydraulic Winch

Price: $37,023.00

[Canuck]

Well, Spoke too fast. The old chipper and both trucks are still for sale.

[Canuck]

So I won't get into the details, but.....

I'm not getting out anymore. I've decided to give it 2 more years and then re-evaluate. I'm down to myself and a groundie and I'm going to keep it that way. The past 3 weeks working this way have been exceptionally profitable and low stress and I'm enjoying myself again.

[arborworks1]

I got rid of the excess too. It has made work more fun. I Started going after more plant health care contracts. And have been enjoying that alot. We have actually gotten more done in a week with one less person.

[lumberjack]

I'm really digging my small setup as well.

[CurSedVoyce]

I too went smaller this year and got more done with less. More profits mean more taxes, but staying small gives more freedom. I have kids and my wife and freedom to enjoy it. Yes there are still days when I am all work and no play and too dang tire to play. But, when the new baby is born (Jan or Feb 09) I will be right there at their side and getting some quality time in. :)
I do have to say that having a business partner I can trust goes a long way in getting time too. We can take days as we need it and alternate. I am the climber, so I have to schedule accordingly, but climbing aint all we do... :)
Good luck Ben.

[Paul B]

for my landscape business, I am losing my long term part time guy at the end of this month, he has been with me about 5 years, 2 to 5 days a week during spring summer and fall. I dont have a backup guy in line yet, too bad, we made a good team. Fit in the niche of taking the jobs too small for a big company and too big for a one man show. Not sure how I am going to tackle things yet, thinking about trying to find a new part time guy.

I am not looking forward to going back to 'do it all myself' guy. :(

[CurSedVoyce]

Heart out to ya Paul, I know I would have a hard time to go it alone here. I been lucky so far with my help in a very limited resource of a community. Work ethic aint what it used to be and they all mountain time here. Slow if they even show. But my crew shows and performs. I am very greatful and lucky that way. My best friend is my business partner and is incredable. I truly am greatful.
And I too enjoy that niche. The thing is, the more risky jobs I give to the guys that are better equipped with cranes and such, and I take the the ones I know I will like to do. Heck they refer me also to people that they can't fit in, very nice relationship with the competition, more like a brother hood I think.. It works for everyone.

[Canuck]

I would hate to go it alone. You need at least one other guy around.

[CurSedVoyce]

Heck just for safety sake!!!!

[rbtree]

Glad to hear you're still at it, Ben!!

[squisher]

Cool Ben hope things keep going well for you.

[sotc]

paul, would a mini do most of your helpers work? prolly pay for one in less than 2 years wages for a guy

[Paul B]

Willie, not really. my helper is good enough to do work on his own, hedge trimming and the like. Basically I get him to do the stuff I dont wanna do, and I do the other stuff. It is also a boon to have an extra set of hands during install work, especially when there is a big heavy tree or more to take off the truck bed and such.

I do about 60% landscape design and install, the rest is pruning work and most of that is hedges and bushes. a few trees a year. a machine wouldnt really help me much vs a person at this point.

:(

[vharrison]

So I won't get into the details, but.....

I'm not getting out anymore.

Cool! :)

[sotc]

well i hope you find a good one!

[Canuck]

This thread is now relevant. Everything for sale again. This time for real

[PCTREE]

What happened??

[Husky385]

I sold up a few months back, everythings gone except my tractor and thats for sale, best thing I ever did, all I do now is PHC and a little consultancy..

No staff, very little kit , no headaches!

[Canuck]

What happened??

Just tired of tree work and I need a break. I may come back to it someday but for the time being I need a change.

[MasterBlaster]

What are you "breaking" to? Did I miss you saying it?

[Canuck]

I'm going to be a rep for an insurance company.

[MasterBlaster]

Good luck with that!

[Canuck]

Figure I should try putting my business admin/ finance degree to work for a while. If it doesn't work out I'm sure the trees will still be here

[Mr. Sir]

I didn't read all the posts. Is the Ramrod mini still for sale?

[Paul B]

any more ill fitted arborwear? or other non large equip items?

I am sorta on the hunt for a clinometer....... otherwsie, not much.

[squisher]

A clinometer? You don't have a decent compass? Get a silva.

[Paul B]

I have a good brunton compass (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444261 9981&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302696143)but I want a dedicated clino, a Suunto if you please. :)

[sotc]

first post mr sir, sold

[vharrison]

Canuck, good luck!

[Canuck]

no its not sold. I updated the first post to show whats available and prices