TCI Magazine regularly highlights the tools and products shaping the tree care industry. This month, we traveled to Stanley Tree Service, an accredited, 35-year TCIA member company based in Smithfield, Rhode Island, to meet with Jeff Seith and Jim Insana, who stepped up as field testers. Their task? To evaluate the Brush Buddy Pro push paddle – an elegantly simple tool aimed at improving safety and efficiency when feeding material into chippers. Check out their combined impressions below.

Optimism and caution

Seith was optimistic about the Brush Buddy Pro, and remarks on how useful the tool is. He says he liked the angled head and lip design, which proved helpful for both pushing debris into the chipper and cleaning up after the job. He comments that the triangular head design has a lip on both sides that makes chip cleanup fast and efficient, which is usually a task performed with a leaf rake or broom. Seith says he believes the Brush Buddy could potentially replace these tools, leading to cost savings in the long run. He says he also appreciates the chamfered corners, which he saw as a purposeful safety feature.

Insana was a little more cautious in his assessment. While initially recognizing the Brush Buddy Pro’s safety advantages and sturdy build, he voiced concerns about its longevity and cost-effectiveness given that it is likely an expendable tool. He says the paddle could easily get pulled into the feed roller, particularly when pushing debris into the feed roller at an angle.

Insana actually had a Brush Buddy Pro paddle get pulled out of his hands by the feed roller and pulled into the chipper during the field test. He acknowledges that the incident, while unintentional, serves as a reminder of the speed at which such accidents can happen. This led him to question the overall value of the Brush Buddy, particularly if it comes with a high price tag. He proposes that a plastic rake or a long branch might be a more cost-effective solution for pushing small debris.

Will it be used?

Both Seith and Insana discussed how difficult it is in this industry to persuade workers to consistently employ safety equipment. They observe that despite safety rules, workers frequently use whatever is nearby, even metal rakes, to push debris into the chipper.

Drawing from his experience managing large numbers of crews, Seith suggests that smaller companies, with tighter oversight and more selective hiring practices, might be better positioned to integrate the tool effectively. Insana echoes this view, pointing out that some workers tend to prioritize convenience, opting to use a nearby branch as a push tool rather than retrieve the proper equipment.

Conclusion

The Brush Buddy Pro’s innovative design and potential to raise awareness about chipper safety make it a promising addition to the tree care industry. Its ultimate success will depend on factors such as pricing and, crucially, the willingness of tree care professionals to embrace this new safety tool.

The Brush Buddy Pro is available from Brush Buddy Pro, a first-year TCIA corporate member company based in Simi Valley, California. (brushbuddypro.com)

To watch a video of this product review, click here.

Tchukki Andersen, Board Certified Master Arborist (BCMA) and Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP), is staff arborist for the Tree Care Industry Association.

This review reflects the thoughts and opinions of the reviewers as users and does not constitute or imply an endorsement of the product referenced, nor is it an endorsement of any specific company, product or service. Every entity or individual should review and test all products for applicability, safety and efficacy in their particular operation.

TCI Magazine product reviews are available to TCIA corporate members as a benefit of their membership. Certain limitations apply. Contact erodewald@tcia.org for more information.