Fire Damaged Gear

Arizona Kenn · 19th February 2008, 08:58 AM

Greetings all... Christmas eve my house burnt down (faulty fireplace) and I lost everything I owned in 22 minutes (no loss of life

). I am now faced with the opportunity to start all over again and reinvent the wheel. What would you do different (gear, saws, etc...), and what would be your greatest regret of loss in your business? and no, I had no insurance.

newguy18 · 19th February 2008, 12:05 PM

I'm really sorry to hear that.I haven't been in this game long enough to advise any equipment.Check your pms.

Ekka · 19th February 2008, 12:36 PM

Sorry to hear of such a loss, terrible.

Dont know how you'd start again or where more like it. Where do you live now?

But gear that is necessary and can start to earn income. I buy more on a needs basis not wants basis. Sure I want lots of stuff but dont really need it.

You need saws, climbing gear, ropes etc.

newguy18 · 19th February 2008, 02:31 PM

Not the best of gear but these guys have pretty good prices.They're catalogue is a good sized one.
Cutter's Choice: Serving arborists, woodcutters, government, landscapers, and do-it-yourselfers.
try these guys for saws.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w..._6970_100+1467

TreeDimensional · 19th February 2008, 04:29 PM

Arizona Kenn, I feel for ya, our house burnt on Boxing day 1995. We were on our way home when a friend of my wife's called to inform us that it was on fire. The roof, Attached garage, whirlpool room, and one bedroom were gone. It is humbling to realize that family of 5 only has the contents of an overnight bag, to their name.

The largest obstacle to overcome was the business and personal records. The tax man is the biggest problem to deal with especially when you are at year end.

In regards to your question about gear, ONLY you know your company. Every operation has its strengths and weaknesses, at this moment, you are probably best to capitalize on your strengths. Sit down and put together a list of all the different things your Company did pre-fire. Now comes the hard part, you have to determine what generated the most cost effective revenue. Be honest to yourself and don't let your emotions over-ride logic.

Once the determination of profitability is clear, take your new business plan to your banker. If you have a decent track record (credit rating), and a factual plan, they should be willing to help you out.

The other thing you may have to consider is working for someone else, for a while. It will be difficult to go from owner/operator to a labourer, but it will put groceries on the table, and clothes on your back, both of which are in short supply to you at this time. More importantly, getting back into a working routine will keep you from being swallowed up by the shock and despair of the life altering event.

We live in a rural comminity, and we mostly considered ourselves outsiders, none of my aunts, uncles or siblings married locals. But to our amazement the comminity held a benefit for us, and it was very emotional to see that we were indeed considered part of the community.

While I don't understand why you didn't have insurance, you are not alone. Most people think it is a burden on the disposable income, I (and now you) can attest to the value of having some help rebuilding your life.

We had insurance, and I will never go without it, We are way ahead of where we would have ever been without it. It saddens me to know that you will never know the third emotion in overcoming a fire. In your post you mentioned that "No life was lost" this is the first emotion, and trust me it could have always been worse. the second emotion is one of shock, you mentioned " starting all over again. You will come to realize that it was JUST stuff, the important thing is the most valuable stufff is still alive. Finally the third emotion is "are we done shopping yet"? This is a guy thing, I hate everyday shopping, but when you have to buy a house (or build), and fill it with the nessesities of life, it is tiring.

Take your time, figure out what is important, and set a goal to look forward to.

The one thing that people who have gone through a house fire always do is TELL EVERYONE TO BUY INSURANCE.

Good luck to you.

TREEMONKEY · 19th February 2008, 08:23 PM

Arizona Kenn

I am sorry to here about the fire it would be a devastating thing to go through. I am a fire fighter and have seen the destruction and could not imagine lossing everything.

If i had to start out with nothing and buy new equipment i would not be cheap. i find good gear helps and makes a big difference in a days work. start with the basics spurs(If you do lots of removals),harness, carabiners, one block and sling, and 2 ropes, saw. I started with stihl 260 good climber and can get the job done on the ground.

Good luck

JCONN · 21st February 2008, 10:36 AM

Very sorry to hear about your loss but glade no one was hurt. Every one has made very good points in my opinion. The one important thing is what Treedimensional said don't let your emotions take control of your decisions. I don't know what your past work experience was rather be working for a large company and latter going out on your own, or being it was a family owned buisness that you came to run. This set back is similar to leaving a large company and going to work for yourself, at first you feel you need all the equipment that was at your access with the large company. The mind set that no tree removal could be done without a huge chipper and a crane, although these are helpful, not always needed. Go back to your roots. When I first went out on my own I had this mind set, but when the time comes it's amazing how much material can be fit into the back of a truck or trailer with a little work not as efficient as a chipper but cheaper.
I have found also that when the job comes around that you need bigger equipment or an extra hand your true friends that you have met in the industry come out not the leeches that were hanging around for a free ride.
If you are good to people they should give the same back in a time of need and not just look at the situation as a chance to take the work you had for themselves to make their pockets fat.
Take the time to think about every decision and rember your family comes first. Sometimes you have to swallow your pride and do jobs that you don't want to do to put food on the table. GOOD LUCK

treevet · 21st February 2008, 06:50 PM

I m very sorry to hear about your misfortune. There is not a lot I enjoy more than occasionally sitting down with a notebook and a Sherrill catalogue and make a list of item/item no./ page no/ cost, etc and order stuff. You may find it cheaper but they prob will always be there, their catalogue is real cool and there is more than supply. There are many tips and info too.

Also they re a sponsor of this site and can be accessed above.

treevet · 21st February 2008, 08:07 PM

To add to above post, I think you could run an entire business with just 2 020 s and 1 044 with a small and a longer bar. 2nd 020 for groundie. Rope, saddle, handsaw/scabbard, spikes jameson pole, one long 8' ext and one short. Saw, poleclip and slingshot attachment, throwline/beanbag. One lowering line and if enough money, a porty and lanyard.

That would be bare bones, and of course PPE. Don t know if you lost cleanup Stuff?

newguy18 · 21st February 2008, 08:11 PM

Thats bare essentials?i'm making do with less now tv.

treevet · 21st February 2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newguy18

Thats bare essentials?i'm making do with less now tv.

If you pm me with an address, I ll send you a free climbing line on me as a donation as long as you throw out that wallmart 7/16 in stuff that I just saw a picture of on your thread re knots. It s scary looking and I feel generous tonight for all the laughs you ve given me.

Arizona Kenn · 22nd February 2008, 08:48 AM

greetings again, my original idea of this post was the question "if you had to do it all over again what would you do different?" or "what would you miss the most". I mainly climb palms (4 years) my last saw was a ms192, I always wanted a 200t but couldn't justify switching because of the original investment of the 192. I'm glad in a weird way I lost everything as I have a shiny new 200t (along with $2,000 in other cool power tools.) The things I'll miss the most; those job boxes and ditty bags that took years to put together, full of those little things that you don't know you need till you don't have them. They were just the right size and had exactly what I needed for any job.
All this being said I thought it would make for an interesting thread.

newguy18 · 22nd February 2008, 09:47 AM

I'm probabley gonna get yelled at for this but at most hardware stores you can get quick links,they're almost impossible to break and are great for flip lines and hanging tools and even for you climb line.If i had to start all over again theres no way i'd buy the same saddle.

TREEMONKEY · 23rd February 2008, 05:44 AM

If i had to start over i would not have bought my shitty chipper i would have got a loan. And bought something newer then the 1978 chuck and duck.

treevet · 23rd February 2008, 07:02 AM

I agree, I think that is one of the most dramatic changes is the feed rollers.

There is so much pain involved with chipping with the oldies. I had a 16 inch, 8 cyl Mitts and Merrill bought new in 1975 and sold in 2000 for a Vermeer BC l250 A (autofeed) with curbside and ll0 hp diesel.

To chip dead pinoak, crabapple, osage orange, mulberry,etc. with an C&D on a real cold morning you feel what it is like to be a cage fighter.

TREEMONKEY · 23rd February 2008, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treevet

To chip dead pinoak, crabapple, osage orange, mulberry,etc. with an C&D on a real cold morning you feel what it is like to be a cage fighter.

19th February 2008, 08:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
Arizona Kenn Gettin' motoring Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: arizona Posts: 26	Fire Damaged Gear Greetings all... Christmas eve my house burnt down (faulty fireplace) and I lost everything I owned in 22 minutes (no loss of life ). I am now faced with the opportunity to start all over again and reinvent the wheel. What would you do different (gear, saws, etc...), and what would be your greatest regret of loss in your business? and no, I had no insurance.

19th February 2008, 12:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
newguy18 Tree World Icon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,187	Re: Fire Damaged Gear I'm really sorry to hear that.I haven't been in this game long enough to advise any equipment.Check your pms. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

19th February 2008, 12:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 5,668	Re: Fire Damaged Gear Sorry to hear of such a loss, terrible. Dont know how you'd start again or where more like it. Where do you live now? But gear that is necessary and can start to earn income. I buy more on a needs basis not wants basis. Sure I want lots of stuff but dont really need it. You need saws, climbing gear, ropes etc. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

19th February 2008, 02:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
newguy18 Tree World Icon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,187	Re: Fire Damaged Gear Not the best of gear but these guys have pretty good prices.They're catalogue is a good sized one. Cutter's Choice: Serving arborists, woodcutters, government, landscapers, and do-it-yourselfers. try these guys for saws. http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w..._6970_100+1467 __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

19th February 2008, 04:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
TreeDimensional Afterburner is shakin' Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 381	Re: Fire Damaged Gear Arizona Kenn, I feel for ya, our house burnt on Boxing day 1995. We were on our way home when a friend of my wife's called to inform us that it was on fire. The roof, Attached garage, whirlpool room, and one bedroom were gone. It is humbling to realize that family of 5 only has the contents of an overnight bag, to their name. The largest obstacle to overcome was the business and personal records. The tax man is the biggest problem to deal with especially when you are at year end. In regards to your question about gear, ONLY you know your company. Every operation has its strengths and weaknesses, at this moment, you are probably best to capitalize on your strengths. Sit down and put together a list of all the different things your Company did pre-fire. Now comes the hard part, you have to determine what generated the most cost effective revenue. Be honest to yourself and don't let your emotions over-ride logic. Once the determination of profitability is clear, take your new business plan to your banker. If you have a decent track record (credit rating), and a factual plan, they should be willing to help you out. The other thing you may have to consider is working for someone else, for a while. It will be difficult to go from owner/operator to a labourer, but it will put groceries on the table, and clothes on your back, both of which are in short supply to you at this time. More importantly, getting back into a working routine will keep you from being swallowed up by the shock and despair of the life altering event. We live in a rural comminity, and we mostly considered ourselves outsiders, none of my aunts, uncles or siblings married locals. But to our amazement the comminity held a benefit for us, and it was very emotional to see that we were indeed considered part of the community. While I don't understand why you didn't have insurance, you are not alone. Most people think it is a burden on the disposable income, I (and now you) can attest to the value of having some help rebuilding your life. We had insurance, and I will never go without it, We are way ahead of where we would have ever been without it. It saddens me to know that you will never know the third emotion in overcoming a fire. In your post you mentioned that "No life was lost" this is the first emotion, and trust me it could have always been worse. the second emotion is one of shock, you mentioned " starting all over again. You will come to realize that it was JUST stuff, the important thing is the most valuable stufff is still alive. Finally the third emotion is "are we done shopping yet"? This is a guy thing, I hate everyday shopping, but when you have to buy a house (or build), and fill it with the nessesities of life, it is tiring. Take your time, figure out what is important, and set a goal to look forward to. The one thing that people who have gone through a house fire always do is TELL EVERYONE TO BUY INSURANCE. Good luck to you. __________________ West Central Saskatchewan ISA Certified Arborist

19th February 2008, 08:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
TREEMONKEY Cruisin' Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: ONTARIO, CANADA Posts: 84	Re: Fire Damaged Gear Arizona Kenn I am sorry to here about the fire it would be a devastating thing to go through. I am a fire fighter and have seen the destruction and could not imagine lossing everything. If i had to start out with nothing and buy new equipment i would not be cheap. i find good gear helps and makes a big difference in a days work. start with the basics spurs(If you do lots of removals),harness, carabiners, one block and sling, and 2 ropes, saw. I started with stihl 260 good climber and can get the job done on the ground. Good luck __________________

21st February 2008, 10:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
JCONN Gettin' motoring Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: ROCHESTER NY Posts: 12	Re: Fire Damaged Gear Very sorry to hear about your loss but glade no one was hurt. Every one has made very good points in my opinion. The one important thing is what Treedimensional said don't let your emotions take control of your decisions. I don't know what your past work experience was rather be working for a large company and latter going out on your own, or being it was a family owned buisness that you came to run. This set back is similar to leaving a large company and going to work for yourself, at first you feel you need all the equipment that was at your access with the large company. The mind set that no tree removal could be done without a huge chipper and a crane, although these are helpful, not always needed. Go back to your roots. When I first went out on my own I had this mind set, but when the time comes it's amazing how much material can be fit into the back of a truck or trailer with a little work not as efficient as a chipper but cheaper. I have found also that when the job comes around that you need bigger equipment or an extra hand your true friends that you have met in the industry come out not the leeches that were hanging around for a free ride. If you are good to people they should give the same back in a time of need and not just look at the situation as a chance to take the work you had for themselves to make their pockets fat. Take the time to think about every decision and rember your family comes first. Sometimes you have to swallow your pride and do jobs that you don't want to do to put food on the table. GOOD LUCK

21st February 2008, 06:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
treevet Astronaut Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 598	Re: Fire Damaged Gear I m very sorry to hear about your misfortune. There is not a lot I enjoy more than occasionally sitting down with a notebook and a Sherrill catalogue and make a list of item/item no./ page no/ cost, etc and order stuff. You may find it cheaper but they prob will always be there, their catalogue is real cool and there is more than supply. There are many tips and info too. Also they re a sponsor of this site and can be accessed above.

21st February 2008, 08:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
treevet Astronaut Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 598	Re: Fire Damaged Gear To add to above post, I think you could run an entire business with just 2 020 s and 1 044 with a small and a longer bar. 2nd 020 for groundie. Rope, saddle, handsaw/scabbard, spikes jameson pole, one long 8' ext and one short. Saw, poleclip and slingshot attachment, throwline/beanbag. One lowering line and if enough money, a porty and lanyard. That would be bare bones, and of course PPE. Don t know if you lost cleanup Stuff?

21st February 2008, 08:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
newguy18 Tree World Icon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,187	Re: Fire Damaged Gear Thats bare essentials?i'm making do with less now tv. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

22nd February 2008, 08:48 AM	#12 (permalink)
Arizona Kenn Gettin' motoring Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: arizona Posts: 26	Re: Fire Damaged Gear greetings again, my original idea of this post was the question "if you had to do it all over again what would you do different?" or "what would you miss the most". I mainly climb palms (4 years) my last saw was a ms192, I always wanted a 200t but couldn't justify switching because of the original investment of the 192. I'm glad in a weird way I lost everything as I have a shiny new 200t (along with $2,000 in other cool power tools.) The things I'll miss the most; those job boxes and ditty bags that took years to put together, full of those little things that you don't know you need till you don't have them. They were just the right size and had exactly what I needed for any job. All this being said I thought it would make for an interesting thread.

22nd February 2008, 09:47 AM	#13 (permalink)
newguy18 Tree World Icon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,187	Re: Fire Damaged Gear I'm probabley gonna get yelled at for this but at most hardware stores you can get quick links,they're almost impossible to break and are great for flip lines and hanging tools and even for you climb line.If i had to start all over again theres no way i'd buy the same saddle. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

23rd February 2008, 05:44 AM	#14 (permalink)
TREEMONKEY Cruisin' Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: ONTARIO, CANADA Posts: 84	Re: Fire Damaged Gear If i had to start over i would not have bought my shitty chipper i would have got a loan. And bought something newer then the 1978 chuck and duck. __________________

23rd February 2008, 07:02 AM	#15 (permalink)
treevet Astronaut Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 598	Re: Fire Damaged Gear I agree, I think that is one of the most dramatic changes is the feed rollers. There is so much pain involved with chipping with the oldies. I had a 16 inch, 8 cyl Mitts and Merrill bought new in 1975 and sold in 2000 for a Vermeer BC l250 A (autofeed) with curbside and ll0 hp diesel. To chip dead pinoak, crabapple, osage orange, mulberry,etc. with an C&D on a real cold morning you feel what it is like to be a cage fighter.

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