Tree Service Equipment & Tools Guide
Everything you need to know about selecting, maintaining, and financing the right equipment for your tree service operation.
Building Your Equipment Fleet
The right equipment mix depends on your service area, crew size, and target market. Here’s how to think about each category.
A well-maintained equipment fleet is the foundation of a professional tree service operation.
Chainsaws
A professional operation needs at least three chainsaw sizes: a small saw (14–16″) for limbing and brush, a mid-size saw (18–20″) for general cutting, and a large saw (24″+) for trunk sections. Stihl MS 261, MS 362, and MS 661 are the industry workhorses.
Wood Chippers
A 12″ capacity drum chipper is the minimum for residential work. For commercial operations, a 15–18″ disc chipper dramatically increases productivity. Bandit, Morbark, and Vermeer are the top three brands for reliability and parts availability.
Bucket Trucks
A bucket truck (aerial lift) is the single biggest productivity multiplier for a tree service company. A 55-foot insulated bucket truck opens up utility line clearance work, which typically pays 40–60% more per hour than standard residential work.
Stump Grinders
A 25+ HP stump grinder with a 12″ cutting wheel can handle 95% of residential stumps. Self-propelled track models (Carlton, Vermeer, Dosko) are worth the premium for steep terrain and tight access situations.
Climbing Gear
Invest in quality climbing gear — it is literally life-safety equipment. Saddles (Petzl, Teufelberger, Buckingham), ropes (Yale Kernmantle, Samson), and hardware (DMM, Petzl) should be inspected before every use and retired at the first sign of wear.
Maintenance Tools
A well-stocked service truck should include: chain sharpening equipment, bar oil, two-stroke mix, spare chains, hydraulic fluid, basic hand tools, and a multimeter. Downtime from preventable equipment failures costs the average company $8,000–$15,000 per year.
Buying vs. Leasing Equipment
When to Buy
Buy equipment outright or finance when: you have consistent utilisation above 60%, the equipment has a long useful life (10+ years), you want to build equity, or you need to customise the equipment for your specific operations. New equipment loans at 5–8% APR are available through most equipment dealers.
When to Lease
Lease when: you need to preserve cash flow, you want to upgrade equipment every 3–5 years, the equipment has high maintenance costs as it ages, or you need a specific piece for a short-term contract. Operating leases keep equipment off your balance sheet and may offer tax advantages.
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