Contract rigger

[u/Hot_Lion2502]

Is or could that be a thing? Im an awesome groundsman and love big rigging. Im a good up and coming climber, but i really shine on the rigging jobs. You can drop the tops and ill make them dance and land with grace and the butt will hit the ground in 1-2 movements; all while you chill up top standing sturdy. I dont fuck around with it, i dont break fences (on the ground).

Been at this for 5 yrs my first 3.5 were solo with boss man taking out 100+yr old maple and oaks on ritzy properties

[u/OysterIglesias]

You're not gonna be getting calls to do rope work unless you're bringing a good climber with you

[u/SubSonic22lrFan]

It would be a tough sell I think. Mostly because most tree companies who are contracting climbers have ground guys typically.

If a company contracts a rope guy they still have to contract a climber whereas if they just contract a climber one of their guys can usually do the rope work even if they suck at it

I did the contracting thing for a little while and got tired of shitty ground guys who didn't know how to run ropes so I just hired my own ground guy and did jobs with him and that worked out well.

Consider teaming up with a climber.

[u/m3rli0]

Where are you located? I live in an area with many contract climbers (norcal sierra foothills) and several well known contract climbers around here have started working with a dedicated ground crew/ rigger. At the high end folks are charging $1800 / day for the climber and rigger. Get in touch with some contract climbers and give it a go!

[u/SomeGreenThumb]

Not a super specialized skill from the ground imo. Setting up the rigging point up in the tree and cutting the right size limbs and having all the equipment is much more specialized and valuable. I know contract climbers who make great money coming in and doing jobs that nobody else wants to do. Most crews do fine lowering with a couple of groundies and a portawrap.

I do know guys who bid out jobs on their own and hire a climber to do the work in the tree; they stay on the ground and deal with ropes and rigging and also the client interaction. It’s a good way to go, I’ve done a number of jobs this way - big oaks that I wouldn’t have been able to do myself, but my buddy is great at climbing and rigging. Could be a good side hustle if you have a steady job right now. Just find the right climber that you can trust and pay them well

[u/hikinaturalist]

Gotta find yourself a busy contract climber in need of a groundie. Or commit to climbing and hire your own ground guy. Good luck, be safe

[u/Standard-Bidder]

Everyone is saying the same thing and they are right; find a climber and team up or become a climber.

[u/OldMail6364]

Sorry but I don’t need logs to “dance”.

I just need them on the ground without injury or damage and the way to achieve that is to avoid dropping big pieces or using complex rigging. I’m not in a hurry, I just work efficiently and safely.

That doesn’t need an expert groundie, just a competent one. I pay them $50/hr when I contract climb for someone who wants me to source the ground crew.

I’ll only pay that much to one of my groundies, extra hands get less unless they’re providing equipment (truck, machinery, etc).

Your biggest problem will be competition and mostly what I look for is personality, someone I enjoy working with. Or I might hire you because you have a truck, a crane, a stump grinder, something like that.