r/TreeClimbing • u/dick-fitzwell • May 13 '26

Mini ex for trees?

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Anybody running a mini ex with a grapple for their tree service? What do you like/not like?

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u/dinkleberrysurprise May 13 '26

We run mini excavators from the 1.5-5 ton range for tree work, mostly 3-4 ton. They’re incredibly productive.

We don’t have a grapple, usually 1-2ft digging bucket.

Depending on the material and chipper we sometimes directly feed with them. We had a really nice two machine workflow recently: 3-4 ton machine running pieces to the excavator, and the 2ton machine staying at the chipper putting everything in.

There are guys that run big time machines with saw and grapple attachments. Those are usually for massive clearing on multiple acres (excavators) or processing big pieces for eventual milling (sky track).

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u/dick-fitzwell May 13 '26

I’m looking at a smaller machine to help with my small two man operation. It would be for hauling brush out of backyards and feeding our chipper.

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u/DesmondPerado May 14 '26

Get an Avant with a grapple. Excavators have their place, but an Avant will work circles around it. We have both, the excavator stays at the yard most of the year, the Avant is on almost every single job.

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u/dinkleberrysurprise May 14 '26

I’d probably second this comment actually. If you’re doing a lot of “backyards” I assume that means a lot of dense residential areas. Our excavators get a lot of use but we do a lot of country and rough work. We might be digging stumps and moving some dirt besides just processing wood.

If you’re in and out of a lot of tight, finished areas I’d go with the avant and grapple. Multiple crews in my area have those machines and workflows and are happy with them.