Information on brush chipper upgrades from Vermeer Australia
Vermeer Australia provide brush chippers. Brush chippers are tools, which with proper care and maintenance, can provide years of service and efficient operation. However, depending on business models and growth plans, an upgrade to a newer unit with more advanced technology may be necessary.
According to Chris Nichols, Environmental Sales Manager, Vermeer Manufacturing Company, the life cycle of a brush chipper can vary considerably, depending on the application in which it has been used and its maintenance.
Nichols notices that there are three groups of tree contractors. The first group will put 10,000 to 15,000 hours on a chipper unit. They reinvest into the unit by upgrading the wearable parts to keep the machine running efficiently. The second group will upgrade chippers at the 5,000 hour mark. These contractors are not concerned about resale values as they want to get the most out of their investment. The final and most common group typically trades units every 2,000 to 2,500 hours to ensure they have the most up-to-date technology in their chipper fleet.
There are a number of signs that show that it is time for an upgrade. Firstly, the decision to upgrade depends on customers’ business needs. They must evaluate how the chipper has been used in the business and if business needs have changed.
Some customers may have started a business as a full service tree care company that required a diverse chipper fleet and then moved on to line clearing and maintenance, where a chipper specifically designed for that application would be more efficient.
Secondly, customers may have made a conscious decision to upgrade all of the equipment in the business on a regular basis to ensure that the fleet is not of the same age or condition. This allows customers to upgrade into newer technology, take advantage of trade or resale values and manage the overall age or condition of the chipper fleet.
Finally, existing chipper components, because of the application of the work, may be showing age, which can result in reduced chip quality, increased cost of operation or decreased efficiency.
According to Nichols, it is important to know the type of work customers are currently doing and will be doing in the future. Customers must also evaluate what size and type of chipper has been successful for the business.
Once the decision to upgrade has been made, customers can take the help of the secondary market for chippers. Here, contractors can opt to sell the unit outright or work with their local dealers to trade. However, individually selling equipment requires time.
Nichols says that contractors need to evaluate if they have the time to sell the unit outright and still maintain their business as they will be required to visit potential buyers and demo the unit for them at their convenience.
Nichols encourages contractors to decide on upgrades based on the future direction of their company and what makes the most financial sense.
9-Oct-2008