Small city curbside leaf pickup...what do I need?

[derbydon]

I've got the opportunity to place a bid for leaf pickup/removal for a small city (read incorporated neighborhood) in my area for 2009 season.

Currently no leaf removal provided to residents. City's mowing contract is over $70k per year, but not up for renewal for 2 years.

I see this as an opportunity to gain the full account but I fully intend to make money on the 6 weeks of hell this will put me through.

1500 homes. Mostly mature trees. Avg 1/4 to 1/3 acre lots. Contract will require that we make 2 pickups per house per season from mid November to mid December. Contract will be for curbside pickup only with option for home owners to contract with us for leaf blowing at additional cost.

EQUIPMENT: Currently I have a 2 year old Billygoat debris loader, 8" diameter intake hose, feeding a 14 foot enclosed trailer (no dump capacity).

Assuming an avg of 15 minutes per house for leaf pickup (big trees), that's 4 per hr, 30 per day, 150 per week...10 weeks to hit the whole city once.

If I add 2 more trucks set the same way it will = 450 homes per week, almost 4 weeks for whole city once, then repeat.

Anyone have a better idea? Right now I'm looking at about 2400 man hours for whole contract (2 per truck, 10 hours per day incl travel, maint, and unloading; 3 trucks so 60 man/hrs per day, 300 per week, 2400 over 8 weeks).

Help!

[RonB]

Around here Waste Management does the pick up. The driver gets out and helps the guy on the back. They use pitchforks and just load them in a regular garbage truck. I'm sure they can compact alot in there before unloading.

They also use a grapple truck when needed, like for larger piles with branches, trees, etc. If it's under 4' they pick it up. You said they have no current p/up? What does everyone do with the leaves in the city?

Maybe you could find a used garbage truck.

[Herrick]

First off, it looks to me like you need to get each round done in about 2 weeks, not 4. Our city (about 2500 residents) provides a similar service to residents, although not all of them take advantage of it. Some just mulch the leaves, some have very few trees, some still like to burn them for some reason... My guess is they only spend about 2-3 minutes at each stop. They have a very large self enclosed loader/dump box combo (we're talking 16" intake). They typically make the rounds once per week for about 5-6 weeks. Where are you dumping? You need to take that into account also. Instead of more trucks, I think this situation calls for better equipment... 2-3 guys on a big loader should be able to knock out a house every 5 minutes or less. That's 12 an hour... or close to 100 a day... gets you down to just over 2 weeks for a round if everyone leaves a pile at the curb.

[punt66]

Your loader is way too small. You will need a large dump with box and a tow behind 100hp vac.

[clcare2]

Get some sort of leaf plow. Then you don't have to move the truck as much. You would only have to remove one big pile at a time. In my neighborhood the city has to use front end loaders to get the leaves . And the trucks run non stop all day during pickup days.

[Groomer]

Just listed this baby for sale. It might be perfect for what your about to get into. I've used it for 2 seasons, but have decided to concentrate on more fall landscape work along with cleanups, and needed to free up the time factor, and the dump truck I used was edging towards retirement! This thing will handle volume with ease, the 4cyl. diesel will run half throttle through most piles!

[triadpm]

Groomer has exactly what you need. Find an older 5-600 series truck with a dump bed and hit it hard.

[MOW ED]

1500 homes may be a small job for this set up but it is by far the most efficient way of dealing with tons of leaves.

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=36442&highlight=bale

[punt66]

1500 homes may be a small job for this set up but it is by far the most efficient way of dealing with tons of leaves.

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=36442&highlight=bale


ok so now he would need a tractor, bailer, dump truck, and a loader and at least 3 emplyees ;);););)

[derbydon]

Lot's of good advice...thanks guys.

Been running as fast as I can knocking out leaf jobs, raining here now so I've got time to log in again.

Definitely agree with Herrick...must have bigger intake so we can pick up a lawn every 2-5 minutes.

I have a farmer now that takes all my debris for free, but going from 5-10 tons of leaves per season to 50-100 tons, well, it's not that big of a farm.

Got a line on a used dump truck, I can use that anyway, contract or not.

I'll keep you guys posted.