CMC HD Arbor Pro Spider Lift

[Merle Nelson]

Yes BEH2202 that helps a lot. It's easy for me to get excited about an upcoming purchase and just keep moving forward. This is the kind of thing that if it isn't right I would be hating life. So It's good to hear some caution thoughts.

(Reminds me that after I have done a bunch of research on something and am sure of which brand and model I want etc., I still like to google "problems with x" just to make sure I have heard all the negative possibilities.)

 

[AccessEquip]

I worked for a company that owned a CMC 83hd for about 2 years. I ran the machine maybe once a week during that period of time. That being said, it was only serviceable, on average, 3 days a week during my tenure there. I have never operated another brand or model from and cannot speak intelligently on any upgrades or improvements that have been made to the 83hd, but the one I operated had many issues. This machine was delicate and had to be used by a competent and cautious operator. We had a two man, skeletonize basket, which exposed the wiring harness at the back of the control panel to rubs and damage when brush and wood were swinging around in close proximity to the basket. We had several sensors go bad, CPU issues, and damaged hydraulic lines. I believe they have scrapped the exterior hydraulic spool on the newer models and put them inside the boom, which is definitely a smart move on their part. We had operators stranded in the bucket, which had to be manually lowered using the hydraulic valves. Maybe we got a lemon, maybe not. Moral of the story. Do a lot of research before you buy. Demo the machine if you can. Go visit a company that has one. I hope this information helps.

Hi BEH2202,

Indeed, in the past the CMC lifts had some issues to work through. but in the last 2 or 3 years, we have had the opportunity to refine our lifts. You may have had one of the earliest of the CMC 83HD+ Arbor Pro's, which had a few issues when it was first introduced. Since then, we have taken many steps to make sure that any issue that comes up is immediately fixed on future models and is fixed on previous machines so that this does not happen. We would be happy to make sure that your former employers machine is fully updated, as we had a few lifts that needed some changes to be made.

 

[Jolden]

What kind of HORROR stories?

We have an arbor pro60hd for almost 2 months now and it has not worked 7 times now, leaving us to reschedule jobs costing money and leaving a bad impression. This machine definitely has a computer and many issues. We bought it new in September 2018 from All Access equipment in Massachusetts
Should have known from the beginning it was going to be a nightmare. Delivered 2 weeks late, bolt broke off of throttle which they did come out that day to fix then throttle adjustment bolt stripped out which we fixed. It has had to be taken back twice to their shop to have “bugs” fixed and new programs downloaded. Now the boom will not rotate. Haven’t heard back from All Access yet on the fix for this yet. Overall when it works it’s great but when it doesn’t it cost money and All Access Equipment isn’t as helpful as we had hoped. They are under 2 hrs drive away from us. One of the times they had to take it back they wanted to take our equipment trailer because they didn’t have one available. I refused to let them take it which apparently translated into me not wanting them to fix the machine. Each time I have called them I have asked them to bring a trailer with them and a loaner lift. Sometimes they bring a trailer but never a loaner lift. I don’t feel I’m being unreasonable in asking for one. Maybe I am. So as frustrating as it has been I’m still undecided on if I would recommend either the Arbro pro60hd or All Access but just wanted to share our experience. We are a small company and $80,000 means a lot to us. Hopefully it all works out.

 

[AccessEquip]

Jolden,

I'm sorry, our service team was closed on the day after Thanksgiving. Next year we will be open. I understand you are having a problem with a rotation. We'll be there Monday with a new machine for you to use.

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving and please contact us if you need anything.

 

[hseII]

We have an arbor pro60hd for almost 2 months now and it has not worked 7 times now, leaving us to reschedule jobs costing money and leaving a bad impression. This machine definitely has a computer and many issues. We bought it new in September 2018 from All Access equipment in Massachusetts
Should have known from the beginning it was going to be a nightmare. Delivered 2 weeks late, bolt broke off of throttle which they did come out that day to fix then throttle adjustment bolt stripped out which we fixed. It has had to be taken back twice to their shop to have “bugs” fixed and new programs downloaded. Now the boom will not rotate. Haven’t heard back from All Access yet on the fix for this yet. Overall when it works it’s great but when it doesn’t it cost money and All Access Equipment isn’t as helpful as we had hoped. They are under 2 hrs drive away from us. One of the times they had to take it back they wanted to take our equipment trailer because they didn’t have one available. I refused to let them take it which apparently translated into me not wanting them to fix the machine. Each time I have called them I have asked them to bring a trailer with them and a loaner lift. Sometimes they bring a trailer but never a loaner lift. I don’t feel I’m being unreasonable in asking for one. Maybe I am. So as frustrating as it has been I’m still undecided on if I would recommend either the Arbro pro60hd or All Access but just wanted to share our experience. We are a small company and $80,000 means a lot to us. Hopefully it all works out.

Thank You for the 1st Hand Feedback.

 

[AccessEquip]

Jolden,

I'm sorry, our service team was closed on the day after Thanksgiving. Next year we will be open. I understand you are having a problem with a rotation. We'll be there Monday with a new machine for you to use.

Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving and please contact us if you need anything.

 

[Merle Nelson]

We have an arbor pro60hd for almost 2 months now and it has not worked 7 times now, leaving us to reschedule jobs costing money and leaving a bad impression. This machine definitely has a computer and many issues. We bought it new in September 2018 from All Access equipment in Massachusetts
Should have known from the beginning it was going to be a nightmare. Delivered 2 weeks late, bolt broke off of throttle which they did come out that day to fix then throttle adjustment bolt stripped out which we fixed. It has had to be taken back twice to their shop to have “bugs” fixed and new programs downloaded. Now the boom will not rotate. Haven’t heard back from All Access yet on the fix for this yet. Overall when it works it’s great but when it doesn’t it cost money and All Access Equipment isn’t as helpful as we had hoped. They are under 2 hrs drive away from us. One of the times they had to take it back they wanted to take our equipment trailer because they didn’t have one available. I refused to let them take it which apparently translated into me not wanting them to fix the machine. Each time I have called them I have asked them to bring a trailer with them and a loaner lift. Sometimes they bring a trailer but never a loaner lift. I don’t feel I’m being unreasonable in asking for one. Maybe I am. So as frustrating as it has been I’m still undecided on if I would recommend either the Arbro pro60hd or All Access but just wanted to share our experience. We are a small company and $80,000 means a lot to us. Hopefully it all works out.

$80,000 here, $80,000 there, pretty soon you're talking real money.

I don't think expecting a company to have their own plan for transporting their problem child wherever they want to to fix it is unreasonable at all. Similarly that you are patient with them while they work out bugs is all the "gimme" that they should even hope for. Having a loaner for you is a given.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Please let us know how things progress (good or bad) from here. I'm in the market for a lift this next year.

 

[Merle Nelson]

By the way, welcome to TreeBuzz Jolden. Tons of valuable info to be had here.....as you illustrate by your first post.

You can also use the search function to find info on any topic that has been posted from years ago too.

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

I don't think expecting a company to have their own plan for transporting their problem child wherever they want to to fix it is unreasonable at all. Similarly that you are patient with them while they work out bugs is all the "gimme" that they should even hope for. Having a loaner for you is a given.

Unfortunately in this day and age this is so far from the reality it’s not even funny. Salesmen are so intent on getting that sale, making promises the service department can’t or won’t stand behind. The only companies they actually treat decently are the ones that buy two or three machines every couple years. We have only had a good experience from one equipment supplier, who bent over backwards to get our machine back up and going again at 5pm at the start of a holiday weekend! I’m scared to death to drop that kind of money for crap service.

 

[Jolden]

Unfortunately in this day and age this is so far from the reality it’s not even funny. Salesmen are so intent on getting that sale, making promises the service department can’t or won’t stand behind. The only companies they actually treat decently are the ones that buy two or three machines every couple years. We have only had a good experience from one equipment supplier, who bent over backwards to get our machine back up and going again at 5pm at the start of a holiday weekend! I’m scared to death to drop that kind of money for crap service.

$80,000 here, $80,000 there, pretty soon you're talking real money.

I don't think expecting a company to have their own plan for transporting their problem child wherever they want to to fix it is unreasonable at all. Similarly that you are patient with them while they work out bugs is all the "gimme" that they should even hope for. Having a loaner for you is a given.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Please let us know how things progress (good or bad) from here. I'm in the market for a lift this next year.

So it’s been one week and I have to say All Access Equipment has surpassed all of my expectations! I posted on Friday the 23 the day after Thanksgiving which understandable, most companies are closed but one of All Access salesmen (Ryan) contacted me by phone, email and text trying to understand the situation we where in. Friday night I received an email for a new contract for a 2019 Arbor pro60hd. To our surprise they where willing to take our lift back at no cost and deliver the new one on Monday. We agreed and Saturday just about noon they pulled in with the new lift! 2 days earlier then expected and on a holiday weekend! We are very surprised and impressed with the outcome. Never expected a new lift seeing how ours was only 2 months old with 200 hours but nonetheless we have to say All Access Equipment has come though for us in a big way. Thank you all that commented and we will update in a few months on this new lift.

 

[craneguy1]

So don't buy a "low hour demo unit" that comes up for sale in a couple of weeks huh? Glad to hear they stood by their machi e in your case, not the case on a buddy of mines that was just out of warranty and required complete boom dissassembly (upper and lower) due to rubbing hoses on a weld used to join 2 pieces of channel THEY make on a press brake that is too small for their application. $13k. 2 months out of warranty on a $140k machine. I used to be interested...

 

[AccessEquip]

So don't buy a "low hour demo unit" that comes up for sale in a couple of weeks huh? Glad to hear they stood by their machi e in your case.

Hi Craneguy1, any time we take a unit in trade, we always make sure that we go through it and make sure to sell it in the right way. This would not be considered a demo unit. Anything that has been sold previously is considered a pre-owned machine (used) and would not be sold as a "demo" unit.

Glad to hear they stood by their machi e in your case, not the case on a buddy of mines that was just out of warranty and required complete boom dissassembly (upper and lower) due to rubbing hoses on a weld used to join 2 pieces of channel THEY make on a press brake that is too small for their application. $13k. 2 months out of warranty on a $140k machine. I used to be interested...

Hi Craneguy1, I have sent you a personal message. We are very interested in what you are talking about here and would like to know more information about this, as we are unaware of anyone having to disassemble both booms at the same time on any of our lifts. The two booms are completely separate and one does not require the other to be disassembled for maintenance or repair work. We would like to reach out to your friend and see what's going on. If it were something like you are describing and was manufacturers defect, there is actually a 2 year warranty on structural items such as welds so that would indeed have been covered under warranty if it was communicated. Please let us know in the private message who this is so we can reach out to them.

 

[TrueVine]

Hello, I’m new to this forum stuff. I have been in the tree-trade my whole life. I’ve always used bucket trucks and climbed. However, I stumbled onto this forum while researching “spider” aerial lifts. I’ve never seen one being used in my area, but have certainly watched them on the web....no pun intended. I’m gaining very useful Information about these lifts I’ve been curious about. I hear of many advantages and disadvantages, but I’ve yet to see any comment about these tracked lifts being able to access wet or soft yards that a bucket truck would most certainly rut up. I assume that the lifts would treat a damp lawn much like my tracked skid steer loader...not badly at all. (Being cautious and gradual when turning of course). We use plywood and other materials to drive bucket on when yard conditions are soft, but only for short distances. When I need to get in deep into a back yard or make a turn behind a house, I wait till dry or frozen ground....which can be months apart. I live and work in the former Great Black Swamp area of NW Ohio. Yard conditions are my number 1 issue. I try and reserve jobs near roads and driveways, but those come and go quickly. It seems like I’m always waiting on the ground conditions to be favorable to catch up on some jobs that have been on the list too long. So tell me, will these lifts tear up or press ruts in the same soft turf that a bucket truck would? How about snow-covered wet ground?
Being able to do jobs that I normally couldn’t bc of wet conditions would make me slam the gavel on this decision.
BTW, by no means would I expect these things to traverse through puddles of water laying in people’s lawns. I’m talking of moderately wet conditions where a bucket truck would leave a mark, but a track loader wouldn’t.
Thanks for help.

 

[deevo]

Hello, I’m new to this forum stuff. I have been in the tree-trade my whole life. I’ve always used bucket trucks and climbed. However, I stumbled onto this forum while researching “spider” aerial lifts. I’ve never seen one being used in my area, but have certainly watched them on the web....no pun intended. I’m gaining very useful Information about these lifts I’ve been curious about. I hear of many advantages and disadvantages, but I’ve yet to see any comment about these tracked lifts being able to access wet or soft yards that a bucket truck would most certainly rut up. I assume that the lifts would treat a damp lawn much like my tracked skid steer loader...not badly at all. (Being cautious and gradual when turning of course). We use plywood and other materials to drive bucket on when yard conditions are soft, but only for short distances. When I need to get in deep into a back yard or make a turn behind a house, I wait till dry or frozen ground....which can be months apart. I live and work in the former Great Black Swamp area of NW Ohio. Yard conditions are my number 1 issue. I try and reserve jobs near roads and driveways, but those come and go quickly. It seems like I’m always waiting on the ground conditions to be favorable to catch up on some jobs that have been on the list too long. So tell me, will these lifts tear up or press ruts in the same soft turf that a bucket truck would? How about snow-covered wet ground?
Being able to do jobs that I normally couldn’t bc of wet conditions would make me slam the gavel on this decision.
BTW, by no means would I expect these things to traverse through puddles of water laying in people’s lawns. I’m talking of moderately wet conditions where a bucket truck would leave a mark, but a track loader wouldn’t.
Thanks for help.

I’ve had one for 5 years now, it’s an easy lift, I carry 3 alturna mats on my trailer and leap frog them. We go across wet lawns, snow, mud with no issues and don’t leave a mark on the customers lawn.

 

[TrueVine]

I’ve had one for 5 years now, it’s an easy lift, I carry 3 alturna mats on my trailer and leap frog them. We go across wet lawns, snow, mud with no issues and don’t leave a mark on the customers lawn.

Deevo, thanks for the input.

 

[bck56]

I’ve had one for 5 years now, it’s an easy lift, I carry 3 alturna mats on my trailer and leap frog them. We go across wet lawns, snow, mud with no issues and don’t leave a mark on the customers lawn.

How has the unit held up?

 

[deevo]

How has the unit held up?

Very well, I just replaced 5 hydraulic hoses for
Preventative measures this past week. Other then that very solid machine ! Easy to
Maintain, no goofy computers to freeze up. Been happy with it and has made me a lot of $


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bck56]

Very well, I just replaced 5 hydraulic hoses for
Preventative measures this past week. Other then that very solid machine ! Easy to
Maintain, no goofy computers to freeze up. Been happy with it and has made me a lot of $


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great, thanks for the feedback. Glad to hear you're making solid profit with it and it's been a solid machine. I'm in the market for one for 2019. Either an easy lift or cmc most likely. How many hours are in your unit?

 

[deevo]

Great, thanks for the feedback. Glad to hear you're making solid profit with it and it's been a solid machine. I'm in the market for one for 2019. Either an easy lift or cmc most likely. How many hours are in your unit?[/QUOTE
Around 850

 

[Jolden]

Hello, I’m new to this forum stuff. I have been in the tree-trade my whole life. I’ve always used bucket trucks and climbed. However, I stumbled onto this forum while researching “spider” aerial lifts. I’ve never seen one being used in my area, but have certainly watched them on the web....no pun intended. I’m gaining very useful Information about these lifts I’ve been curious about. I hear of many advantages and disadvantages, but I’ve yet to see any comment about these tracked lifts being able to access wet or soft yards that a bucket truck would most certainly rut up. I assume that the lifts would treat a damp lawn much like my tracked skid steer loader...not badly at all. (Being cautious and gradual when turning of course). We use plywood and other materials to drive bucket on when yard conditions are soft, but only for short distances. When I need to get in deep into a back yard or make a turn behind a house, I wait till dry or frozen ground....which can be months apart. I live and work in the former Great Black Swamp area of NW Ohio. Yard conditions are my number 1 issue. I try and reserve jobs near roads and driveways, but those come and go quickly. It seems like I’m always waiting on the ground conditions to be favorable to catch up on some jobs that have been on the list too long. So tell me, will these lifts tear up or press ruts in the same soft turf that a bucket truck would? How about snow-covered wet ground?
Being able to do jobs that I normally couldn’t bc of wet conditions would make me slam the gavel on this decision.
BTW, by no means would I expect these things to traverse through puddles of water laying in people’s lawns. I’m talking of moderately wet conditions where a bucket truck would leave a mark, but a track loader wouldn’t.
Thanks for help.

Hello, I’m new to this forum stuff. I have been in the tree-trade my whole life. I’ve always used bucket trucks and climbed. However, I stumbled onto this forum while researching “spider” aerial lifts. I’ve never seen one being used in my area, but have certainly watched them on the web....no pun intended. I’m gaining very useful Information about these lifts I’ve been curious about. I hear of many advantages and disadvantages, but I’ve yet to see any comment about these tracked lifts being able to access wet or soft yards that a bucket truck would most certainly rut up. I assume that the lifts would treat a damp lawn much like my tracked skid steer loader...not badly at all. (Being cautious and gradual when turning of course). We use plywood and other materials to drive bucket on when yard conditions are soft, but only for short distances. When I need to get in deep into a back yard or make a turn behind a house, I wait till dry or frozen ground....which can be months apart. I live and work in the former Great Black Swamp area of NW Ohio. Yard conditions are my number 1 issue. I try and reserve jobs near roads and driveways, but those come and go quickly. It seems like I’m always waiting on the ground conditions to be favorable to catch up on some jobs that have been on the list too long. So tell me, will these lifts tear up or press ruts in the same soft turf that a bucket truck would? How about snow-covered wet ground?
Being able to do jobs that I normally couldn’t bc of wet conditions would make me slam the gavel on this decision.
BTW, by no means would I expect these things to traverse through puddles of water laying in people’s lawns. I’m talking of moderately wet conditions where a bucket truck would leave a mark, but a track loader wouldn’t.
Thanks for help.

We have a Arbropro 60hd and definitely go places where a bucket truck can not. As you mentioned just be careful turning if you have to and you will not leave any marks in the lawn. It will fit threw a 36 inch wide gate as well. If you have to go over any stumps or rocks just make sure to check the clearance. Ours says it has 7 inches in the manual but in reality it’s only 3-31/2 inches on a good day. We also use plywood on the days after a heavy rain and it holds up just fine. Hope this helps. Good luck to you