Author Archives: Bob Dray

Load King Stinger 40-127RS Boom Truck
Load King Stinger 40-127RS Boom Truck

Click here to view a full spec sheet.

We have a comprehensive range of used and new boom trucks for sale or rent, with lifting capacities from 10-80 tons and the ability to reach heights up to 161 feet. Whether you’re looking for a large or small boom truck for sale, you can submit our quote request form or call at any time for pricing details. If you’ve landed on our website after searching for ‘boom trucks for sale near me’, you’ll be pleased to know that we carry one of the widest selections of boom trucks in the USA, at some of the most competitive prices you’ll find anywhere in the country.

We not only offer models made by the biggest names in cranes, but we manufacture our own line of boom trucks: Load King Stingers. One of our newest models is the 40-127RS.

 

 

Some of our favorite features of this model:

  • 5-section proportional 127-foot keel boom
  • Electric over hydraulic crane controls
  • Outrigger controls at ground level and in operator’s cab
  • Deluxe seat with integrated controls
  • Optional air conditioning
  • Maximum tip height of 192 feet with optional two-piece jib
  • Sister crane available at 35-tons with no counterweight or pusher axle
  • Available with remote controls and our new yoke-style basket

If you have any further questions regarding this unit, feel free to reach out to our expert sales team.

 

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Terex XTPro 56 Forestry Bucket Truck
Terex XT Pro 56 Forestry Bucket Truck

Click here to view a full spec sheet.

The Terex XT Pro 56 Forestry bucket truck comes on your choice of chassis including Freightliner, International, or any class 6 or 7 chassis. With a working height of 61’, an 11’ chip box, ample tool storage, dual hydraulic tool connections at the platform, this truck, available under CDL, is perfect for line clearance, or any company that needs the “do all” truck that can be driven by any licensed driver.

Here are some of our favorite features:

  • 61’ working height
  • 12,000 front axle, 21,000 rear axle
  • 26,000 GVWR, Under CDL
  • 16 Yard Chip Capacity
  • Dual Hydraulic Tool Outlets at Platform
  • ANSI Q92.2 Category “C” Rating
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Terex LT40 Forestry Bucket Truck
Terex LT40 Forestry Bucket Truck

Click here to view a full spec sheet.

The Terex LT40 is an under CDL forestry bucket truck that comes on your choice of chassis, the Ford F550 or RAM 5500, both available standard with a 4×4 drivetrain. With a working height of 45’, 5-8 cubic yards of chip space, standard emergency power below rotation, and a hydraulic tool connection at the platform, this truck is perfect for line clearance or access to locations larger trucks can’t go.

Some of our favorite features are:

  • 45.6’ working height
  • 12V auxiliary emergency power
  • ANSI A92.2 category “C” rating
  • Single hydraulic tool outlet at platform
  • 4-function single stick pistol grip control
  • 10 yard chip box capacity CHIP
  • 19,500 GVWR
  • Optional 12,000 lbs. front winch available
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XTPro 70 rear mount under cdl
Terex XTPro 60/70 Rear Mount Under CDL Bucket Truck

Click here to view an equipment sheet.

The Terex XT Pro 70 Rear Mount bucket truck comes on your choice of chassis including Freightliner, International, or any class 6 chassis. Available under CDL in 2wd, with a 75’ working height, optional 20,000 lb. front winch, dual hydraulic tool connections at the platform, custom 3-door tool box, and the shortest wheelbase in the market, independent operators prefer this truck for its unmatched maneuverability but just as widely used in line clearance applications.

Some of our favorite feature are:

  • Under CDL, 26,000 GVWR
  • 75’ Working Height
  • Short Wheelbase for Easier Maneuverability
  • 400 LB Platform Capacity
  • Dual Hydraulic Tool Outlets at Platform

 

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drone flies against the background of a spring forest fire
How Drones Help Fight Forest Fires

In 2020, California suffered from a record-breaking 52,113 wildfires. With the state of the environment, the situation is looking dismal. Every year, thousands of firefighters and millions of dollars worth of resources are used to combat forest fires. In the efforts, firefighters employ a limitless array of tactics, systems, and technology to help keep people safe. As technology has gotten more accessible and affordable, firefighter teams are increasingly turning to drones to help in everything from situational awareness to information gathering.

Drones use multiple electro-optical and thermal sensors, along with aerial imaging, to provide instant and actionable intelligence, regardless of the wildfire situation, to a commander. They’re enormously beneficial to any firefighting crew. They make the entire process far more efficient, far less dangerous, and help effectively deploy resources to where they’re needed most. And that’s only scratching the surface. Let’s take a look at how drones help firefighters around the world combat forest fires.

Drones Quickly Help Assess a Forest Fire Situation

Given its ability to get into a dangerous situation quickly, a drone can help firefighter commanders decide within a few moments what kind of resources to send into the fire. Many drones are equipped with thermal sensors. These are able to utilize infrared radiation to help crews find heat signatures of both people and fire hotspots.

With the information provided in these first moments of an active fire, commanders can safely make informed decisions from their computer before the real battle begins. This kind of rapid, in-depth information can make all the difference in the world when it comes to battling wildfires. It’s the kind of information that saves lives, lowers resource cost, as well as determining the trajectory of the entire firefight.

Drones Provide Superior Intelligence for Decision Making

Drones don’t just help with the initial response of fighting a fire. Forest fires require large-scale operations with minute-by-minute decisions about where and how to deploy resources and personnel. As with any decision, the more information and intelligence you have, the better the decision.

Drones are superior intelligence gatherers. They’re capable of capturing data, visuals, topography, and heat signatures in wildfires and sending their findings back to the commander. With all of the information, in addition to an up-close aerial view, commanders benefit from being able to make decisions based on information they wouldn’t otherwise have. This makes the entire process far more efficient, saving the environment and potentially lives too.

Drones Protect Personnel

Every situation involving a drone instead of a human being is an opportunity to save a life. Forest fires are immensely dangerous and incredibly stressful to combat. Using drones instead of feet on the ground, firefighting crews risk a more modest amount of resources.

Drones also help commanders monitor the men and women who are on the ground and in the fight. They help them make the right decisions on whether an area is safe enough to enter and in which direction the crew should move. This helps keep them safe and avoid unnecessary danger.

Another way that drones help with protecting personnel is by replacing manned aircrafts. Plumage and smoke from active forest fires create dangerous flying situations with little visibility. By using drones to provide accurate intelligence, commanders can remove pilots from unnecessary dangers.

Moreover, manned aircrafts simply can’t fly as low and get into places that a drone can. Even a helicopter has to remain at a safe distance from a raging fire. Not only does using a drone in place of a pilot potentially save lives, but it provides firefighting crews with better information and intelligence.

Rapid Mapping for Response and Recovery

Drones are truly helping to revolutionize the world of firefighting. They have a wide array of sensors and cameras that provide firefighting crews with a wealth of information about fires. Commanders can see real-time aerial views of the situation, along with thermal and heat signature readings from their crew and the fire itself.

They’re far more agile and can get into places that typical manned aircraft just can’t access. And for that matter, shouldn’t be accessing unnecessarily. Better still, drones can read situations. They can identify and locate people who could be trapped, giving firefighters the necessary intelligence to save lives.

Given their utility, drones are also extremely useful during the recovery period once a forest fire has been contained. In some instances, drones can be used to help assess the damage caused to residential and commercial structures, providing victims with valuable information that helps with insurance claims. These assessments can help move things along more quickly so victims of these unfortunate events can begin rebuilding their lives.

Drones: Firefighting Tool of the Future

Given how quickly drones have joined firefighting teams, it seems possible that there will soon be flocks of them flying over and combatting all sorts of fires in the years to come. That said, it’s critical to understand that as critical as they, it’s boots on the ground that put out fires.

Drones will never replace the kind of courageous and skilled person it takes to fight and contain forest fires. But they are joining the ranks of firefighting forestry equipment. They give commanders information and intelligence that allows them to make the best possible decisions, leading to the best possible outcomes. And it’s these frontline fighters, operators, and incident managers who will decide on the best tools to use to improve firefighting.

Fires are terrible events capable of destroying environments, wildlife, homes, businesses and—in the worst instances—human life. Therefore, any tool that helps contain these terrible events is an immense blessing. Drones are one of those tools and an incredibly effective one at that.

 

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XT70 Rear Mount forestry bucket truck
Trucks For 2021 Forestry Business – Custom Truck One Source

If you’re in the forestry business, you need the right equipment to make your work fast, safe, and efficient. Some of the must-haves are your forestry trucks.  The machines streamline core tasks in your business such as tree trimming, loading, chipping, onsite processing, skidding, and hauling.

The type of truck to choose depends on several factors, including the type of work it’s intended to perform, the chassis requirement, and body type. Here are the five best trucks you need to bring your forestry business to a new level in 2021.

Forestry Bucket Trucks

These offer access to locations and heights which you’d never reach unless you were using a ladder. An inbuilt combustion engine powers these trucks, although there are also some hybrid models available.

Some have a secondary shaft that powers the hydraulic rams to direct the truck’s lift in the right direction. Most bucket trucks include an auxiliary internal combustion engine on one side of its chassis.

Forestry bucket trucks enable tree management crews to operate safely off the ground, while allowing the bucket to reposition an d reach out-of-the way spots that couldn’t be reached with a ladder. For many years, bucket trucks have been instrumental in tree trimming. They are the best option for line clearance.

Roll-Offs Trucks

Roll-off trucks are mainly used to transport logs from the forest to the yard. They are robust machines that can handle heavy-duty work without straining. These trucks include an open container dumpster without a top.

The trucks also contain a roll-off hoist system used to lift logs off the ground and load them on their containers for transport.  Most of these trucks will either include a hook-lift or a roll-off hoist. The type of hoist has a different method of loading and unloading materials onto the truck.

Roll-off hoists pull the logs onto the truck’s bed. These trucks can also be used to load containers onto the trucks. Some of these trucks have rails on the bottom to roll containers and other material onto the truck’s bed.

The roll-off system comprises three components: the hoist mechanism, the truck chassis, and a tarp system. Such systems are automated to fit different applications. The system ensures loading logs onto the truck or trailer is effortless.

The hoist system can be configured for alternative fuel types, including LNG, CNG, electric or hybrid. These trucks are made to ensure optimal durability.

Chipper Trucks

Chip trucks are also referred to as chipper trucks. These forestry trucks have increased in demand due to their crucial role in the forestry industry. They are useful in tree trimming and tree removal. Tree producing, tree-trimming companies and smaller independent contractors are the main clients who need this forestry machinery.

After trimming and felling a tree, you’ll find lots of debris on the ground. The best way to clear the site is to chip the debris into smaller pieces. A chipping machine does this work. It helps to clear the mess swiftly, eliminating the need to burn the remains, thus recycling the wood chips.

Once the wood debris is in small pieces, the chipper moves them onto the truck. The chipper truck is essentially a chassis and a closed dump container that is specifically designed for this purpose. You can purchase a chipper truck with or without a toolbox. Some buyers forgo toolboxes to increase load capacity.

The big chip trucks have a self-loading arm to allow easy wood chip loading. The truck and the woodchipper work in tandem. An inbuilt combustion engine powers the wood chipper’s engine. Some chipper trucks have a separate engine mounted on the truck to the chipper. Others have a hydraulic crane to help in lifting the debris onto the truck.

Grapples

A grapple truck is a truck fitted with a grapple loader on its frame to help load and haul bulky materials, including logs and debris. This truck can collect materials that are difficult to containerize due to their weight and size.

Grapple trucks systems come in different sizes and types, including rear-steer system, loader and body systems, haul truck systems, roll-off systems, transfer systems and rear-mounted loader and trailer systems.

These trucks are very instrumental in removing overgrown trees from residential and commercial areas. They help to grab and lift hefty foliage, limbs, branches, and trunks. That’s why you need to purchase a grapple truck if you’re in the forestry business.

Grapple trucks have a jaw or claw attached to the bottom end of the boom to lift and load objects onto the truck. These trucks are essential equipment for cutting and transporting logs.

Most grapple trucks are fitted with micro cranes to make loading logs easy. Grapple trucks come in different sizes and types to meet the needs of varying clients. It’s therefore vital to select a truck that will be effective in your forestry business.

Service Trucks

A service truck is one that functions as a mobile workshop.  This truck helps to transport tools, equipment and parts needed to do a forestry job effectively. Service trucks are heavier and larger than utility and delivery trucks: they comprise robust bodies and powerful engines.

These trucks work as ambulances by rushing to the site to facilitate repair works on trucks and other machinery used in the forestry business. They also ferry technicians who perform the repairs. Service trucks come in varying sizes and configurations to address the needs of different customers.

It’s quite frustrating if your forestry truck or other machinery breaks down onsite. It means the equipment has to be transported to a mechanic shop for repair. Fortunately, this is not the case if you have forestry service trucks.

The service trucks also have cranes used to lift heavy parts and materials. These trucks are a must-have, especially if you have many forestry trucks and machinery. They help save money, time and ensure your work momentum is not interrupted.

Are You in Need of High-Quality Forestry Trucks?

If you’re in the forestry business, you need to invest in the right equipment and machinery to make your work easier.  We have different forestry trucks, including grapples, roll-offs, chipper trucks, service trucks, trailers, and dump trucks.

Over the years, we’ve been offering the best forestry equipment to our clients. We also provide unmatched service and maintenance for this equipment. Our sales agents and engineers will advise you on the best machinery for your business. Contact us now for comprehensive information about our wide range of forestry trucks.

 

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Emerald ash borer looking for a meal, An invasive bug that feeds on ash trees.
The Ash Borer’s Destructive Path Through the South

The emerald ash borer has been responsible for destroying trees in huge numbers in the recent past. The jewel green beetle has been responsible for destroying great regions of otherwise mighty and formidable ash trees.

Areas of Ash Borer Infestation

The ash borer, originally from north-eastern Asia, came to the U.S. in 2002 and was first noticed around Detroit. The belief is that they arrived in ash wood meant for stabilizing large crates as they were shipped.

They have now travelled and trees in the south are being attacked, from New Jersey all the way to Florida as well as Oklahoma and Texas. The beetle has left in its wake a path of destruction that is now also slowly moving west. The beetle is adapting to utilize new hosts and it will have serious ecological as well as economic repercussions on the forestry industry.

Damage from Infestation

As of now, the ash borer beetle has killed millions of ash trees. It is estimated that there are over 8.7 billion ash trees in the U.S.  Unfortunately, the beetle is well on its way to killing most of them. The damages could result in losses of over 10 billion dollars.

The female beetle lays eggs in the bark and crevices of the ash tree. The larvae then feed off the trees when they hatch. This weakens them from within, cutting off the natural flow of minerals and water through the main bark.

It is easy to spot when a tree has been infested. The fully grown beetle leaves the bark by leaving behind a hole in the shape of a D. However, the tree could have been infested years earlier when the female beetles had first laid their eggs inside the bark. If the bark is peeled apart, then damage inside it can be shocking.

Steps Taken To Restrict the Movement of Ash Borers

Numerous efforts have been taken to stop their destructive journey. Pesticides have been injected into the trunks of trees or fed into the soil from where the trees derive their nutrients. Parasitoid wasps haven been released into the trees which feed on the beetles.

However, with the ash borer reaching higher densities, it is nearly impossible to cull them all before they infest another group of trees. Currently, modern research is focused on developing new strains of the ash tree which would be more resistant to the beetles.

Significant measures have been taken by the experts of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or APHIS, a branch of the US Department of Agriculture. The department has been researching the invasive nature of the beetle and its impact on horticulture, forestry, and agriculture.

Impact of Ash Borer Infestation

Ash trees are responsible for keeping the topsoil in place in the regions they grow. Widespread destruction of the trees will make the region prone to soil erosion. Moreover, the tree is a refuge to a variety of animal life, like birds, insects, and good microbes.

Over the years, regions where ash borers have invaded have observed poorer regeneration of ash trees. If allowed to continue, the tree species might become practically extinct. A biological invasion of this nature is bound to have a huge environmental impact, and the battle of keeping the beetles from multiplying is still raging.

 

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bunching grapple attachment picking up logs
6 Grapple Attachments For Forestry – Custom Truck One Source

One piece of equipment can’t fit every vegetation management need. In fact, there are at least three at the top of any forestry company’s equipment acquisition list: chip trucks, bucket trucks, and grapple trucks.

Each perform a unique task. Chip trucks chop tree limbs and branches into small, transportable pieces before hauling them offsite. Forestry trucks enable tree-cutting crews to be safely lifted off the ground. Grapple trucks use mechanical `claws’ or `jaws’ that are attached at the end of knuckle booms to grab hold of large, felled wood sections and load them into the vehicle.

While the general function of any grapple truck is basically the same, the difference comes in the shape and application of the jaws or grapple attachments. Each is specifically designed to grab onto different kinds of wood debris. In this article, we will discuss some of the most popular ones in forestry applications.

#1: Grapple Buckets

Also known as flat-bottom grapples, these have a scrape-and-scoop functionality. They scrape the ground and load the tree bits and pieces into a bucket for efficient clean-up and disposal. The dimensions of the tree debris that a bucket grapple can pick up are limited by its size. Some do have cutaway end plates to allow for loads with larger widths, but typically, if the pieces are big, you’re better off switching to a lumber grapple.

#2: Root Grapples

These have tines that are usually spaced about 8 inches apart. So, when they pass close to the ground, the unwanted dirt they pick up slips between the tines. Therefore, only roots and branches are caught by these grapple attachments.

#3: Rock Grapples

As the name suggests, the job of this style of grapple is to pick up rocks. The tines are closer together than on a root grapple – about 3 inches apart. This provides better `raking’ capability for land clearing.

#4: Log Grapples

Used to pick and haul long cuts of lumber, the shape of these jaws is just right to grab hold of single, large and heavy logs or a bundle of smaller ones in one `bite’. This grapple attachment’s load-carrying capacity is about 40,000 lbs. This is decent heavy lifting to quickly remove sizable log pieces.

#5: Bunching Grapples

These are grapples with single cylinders and bypassing jaws that use a large gripping area to scoop up short logs in portable `bunches’. They are very useful to unload timber at the roadside or to feed wood-chippers and grinders at the job site.

#6: Grapple Saws

Grapple saws improve safety conditions at tree-cutting sites by doing the sawing work instead of hoisting a crew member off the ground to do it. Once done, these same grapple attachments grab and deposit the cut wood wherever it needs to go.

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Man with gloves tree trimming a branch
Tree Trimming: Why, When, & How? – Custom Truck One Source

What is one of the most important property maintenance jobs that homeowners often forget to do? Talk to any arborist or tree management company in the United States and they will tell you it’s tree trimming.

Yards get mowed, fall leaves get raked, flowering shrubs and herb patches get planted. But when it comes to tree maintenance, many real estate owners in the nation remain unaware of the effects of uncontrolled tree growth.

So, why is regular tree trimming so important? Here are 3 reasons:

# 1: Safety

  • In urban developments there isn’t often a whole lot of open space to go around. Houses are built next to each other, and trees grow within touching distance of utility poles that carry between 34,500-7,200 volts of electricity. When left unpruned, trees with extending branches can easily get entangled in the power cables, and this is the cause, according to Consumers Energy, for approximately 30% of all power outages.
  • A second safety concern is extreme weather and natural disasters like snowstorms, floods, spreading fires, hurricanes, and earthquake. During these events, diseased or unhealthy trees can get uprooted, and heavy limbs can come crashing down on homes and power lines, destroying roofs and risking lives.

# 2: Tree Health

  • Overgrown trees develop dense canopies that, over time, may become so dense that they impedes the flow of air and sunlight to vegetation underneath. This can cause decay and rampant growth of fungus. Dead plant debris on the ground mold and rot, as they’re unable to lose accumulated moisture. This in turn attracts pests like wood-boring insects that eat away at the trees and weaken their root system.
  • Co-dominant leaders – two strong branches growing straight up at the top and fighting for supremacy – make the tree vulnerable to cracks and breaks unless one is cut down and the other is allowed to flourish in a more balanced manner.

# 3: Curb Appeal

  • The value of a property can be greatly enhanced with well-cared-for trees. By strategically cutting off branches that obstruct a view, of a hillside or a lake for example, the aesthetics of the property seem more appealing to both potential buyers and current residents.
  • Fruit-bearing trees benefit from regular pruning, which encourages the growth of spurs and increases fruit production in the following year.

When Is the Right Time to Trim Trees?

The period between fall and early spring is the best time to trim trees, when they are experiencing a dormant stage. This inactivity and colder temperatures are ideal to improve blooming potential in the next growth cycle. It also reduces the risk of contracting a disease before they have time to heal.

Why Call in a Tree Care Company?

Can homeowners do the tree trimming job themselves? Yes, if they know what they are doing, and the scale of the job is modest. But tree care companies may be the way to go if they are tackling the removal of large tree limbs or trunks requiring professional equipment.

Knowledge is very important. Each cut can change the growth pattern of a tree, so no branch should be removed without a reason. By using techniques such as thinning, cleaning, reduction, and subordination, tree management professionals have a corrective approach that helps trees to develop a strong structure and desirable form.

Also keep in mind that trees that receive the appropriate pruning while young will require less corrective pruning as they mature, saving money and effort in the long run.

DIY Tips on Trimming Your Own Trees

  • Keep only one dominant leader (explained above) growing upward in young trees. Don’t attempt to cut back the tip of this leader or allow secondary branches to outgrow it.
  • Branches 5 cm or less in diameter can be safely removed. If they are larger than 10 cm, it is advisable to seek professional advice.
  • Don’t trim too close. Be mindful that you’re not removing the branch collar (soft tissues from which the smaller branches sprout).
  • Try to cut outside the branch bark ridge, and angle your cut down and away from the stem.
  • U-shaped branches are typically stronger than the V-shaped ones. If branches are crossing over each other and you have to choose, save the U-shaped ones.
  • Don’t remove more than 1/4 of a living crown at once. If you have to, do it gradually over a number of years.
  • Don’t top trees! It is an extremely harmful tree-pruning practice.

 

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Terex XTPro 70 with its bucket extended to a full 70 feet of working height
Forestry Bucket Truck Factors – Custom Truck One Source

Bigger is not always better, even if it always feels like you need that extra foot of working height when you go to make that last cut. We will go over some factors we feel you should consider when making your choice. Custom Truck One Source understands that no job is ever the same, and every operator has their own way of getting the job done. We also understand forestry bucket trucks, so our goal is to help you make a well-informed decision to assure you choose the best truck to efficiently, effectively, and safely get the job done.

1. Price

Even though your mind is on trimming or cutting trees, the cost of the truck will ultimately decide if you should purchase, lease, or rent. It will also help determine if you should opt for new or used. As you would expect, with the height comes a higher price tag. A rear mount is also more expensive than a forestry truck. That fact surprises most people. Just remember that you are operating with an additional set of outriggers and additional materials to build that style truck. Along with your initial investment, new equipment for the truck, taxes, daily usage costs, maintenance, and maybe a new crew needs to be considered.

2. Surrounding Trees

How high are the trees you will be working on? Available on NASA’s Earth Observatory you will find a map generated to show the tree canopy height across the United States. Some coastal areas and plain states will rarely see a tree over 60’ tall, so depending on where you work, you could effectively choose an XT56 or XT60 to get the job done.

3. CDL or No CDL?

Do you have a CDL? Recently, finding a CDL driver has gotten just about as hard as finding a good climber. With that coveted 75’ working height comes weight. While there may be ways to cut a corner here, maybe use aluminum instead of steel there, ultimately the safest way to build the XT70 Pro, on either a forestry or rear mount, is on a CDL chassis. Custom Truck One Source offers an under CDL XT60 Pro rear mount that shares the same wheel base and lift orientation as the XT70 Pro rear mount that any licensed driver can drive. The XT56 Pro, currently only available in a forestry package, is also available under CDL.

4. Is Smaller Better?

Will 45’ do the job? The Terex LT40 with a 45’ working height may be all you need. It may be perfect for your second bucket or add to a climbing crew for assistance near power lines. While you may sacrifice some working height, you will gain maneuverability. This could allow you to gain access to locations you never would have reached in a larger truck. These are currently built on either a RAM 5500 or Ford F550, and available in a forestry or flat deck. Do not underestimate what a LT40 bucket can get done.

 

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