Rural Mechanical Tree Trimming

Article Figures & Data

Table 1.

Trim Method Labor Cost Comparison
ASSUMPTIONS: PRODUCTION -1 Mile per day @ 200 days equals 200 miles per year. EQUIPMENT -All new equipment depreciated totally in one year LABOR -One man will cost $7.00 plus 50% or $10.50 per hour - @ 2,000 hours per year. $21,000 per man per year. PARITY -As indicated*
METHOD	EQUIP.COST	MANPOWER	COST	TOTAL
*15 Man Climbing Crew.	0	15	$315,000	$315,000
* 3 Ducket Trucks @ $55,000 ea.	$165,000	6	$126,000	$291,000
* 2 Duckets Mounted on Rough Terrain Vehicles @ $70,000 ea.	$140,000	4	$84,000	$224,000
* 1 Timberjack Mechanical Tree Trimmer	$132,000	2	$42,000	$174,000
NOTE: Manpower cost per mile goes from $1,575 per mile to $210 per mile. This fixed labor cost will occur every year. If equipment cost is depreciated over 4 or 5 years, the cost of equipment per mile substantially reduces.