Experiences with platform basket and Omme lifts
- Thread starter tdstumpy
- Start date
- Location
- Retired in Minneapolis
When I worked in Austin the campus had a 60' JLG lift
The lift worked great for me...but I was on a college campus so I could drive it from its parking spot to anywhere on campus. Also, I could park it far enough away from the root plate that I wasn't concerned with soil compaction of the root plate. If the soil was wet in one place I'd work in another or do something else. So, for this work zone it was great.
In a typical residential setting it would do the work but access might be an issue.
I set a personal standard not to cut away any good limbs so that I could thread the snorkel in to work. IN three years I only cut two live limbs for my convenience. Both were about 2" diameter and six feet long in 250 year old large, live oaks. MOst of the time I could thread my way in and ben limbs if I needed to.
You might find a small community near the lift company and coordinate access in a park for a demo. The perfect setup might be able to find a large tree in a parking lot island. then you can fake-up a workzone like you experience. Caution tape and cones would take the place of infrastructure that you'd have to work around.
The lift worked great for me...but I was on a college campus so I could drive it from its parking spot to anywhere on campus. Also, I could park it far enough away from the root plate that I wasn't concerned with soil compaction of the root plate. If the soil was wet in one place I'd work in another or do something else. So, for this work zone it was great.
In a typical residential setting it would do the work but access might be an issue.
I set a personal standard not to cut away any good limbs so that I could thread the snorkel in to work. IN three years I only cut two live limbs for my convenience. Both were about 2" diameter and six feet long in 250 year old large, live oaks. MOst of the time I could thread my way in and ben limbs if I needed to.
You might find a small community near the lift company and coordinate access in a park for a demo. The perfect setup might be able to find a large tree in a parking lot island. then you can fake-up a workzone like you experience. Caution tape and cones would take the place of infrastructure that you'd have to work around.
Reach
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Atglen, PA
We’ve done a lot of limited access work with a 55’ Bil Jax X-boom. It’s been an excellent machine, especially for the price. I would rather have the 75’ version though. No lift is ever tall enough. And it’s nearly 6’ wide, so it won’t fit where a tracked lift will. 
I’ve run a 69’ Teupen as well, which was really nice to run, just very expensive and very slow moving especially on the ground.
I’ve run a 69’ Teupen as well, which was really nice to run, just very expensive and very slow moving especially on the ground.
Merle Nelson
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- SF Bay Area, CA
Welcome to TreeBuzz tdstumpy. I have been traveling a bit to try different lifts in preperation for purchase. Will be able to post more within next days but in the mean time try forum search for every form of lifts you can think of: Omme lift, spider lift, tracked lift etc.
I have spent some time running and two days around the Omme 90 foot, Up Equips 90 and 70 (their 90 is going to start being available in a 100), CMC 70 footer at a demo, etc.
I have spent some time running and two days around the Omme 90 foot, Up Equips 90 and 70 (their 90 is going to start being available in a 100), CMC 70 footer at a demo, etc.
thanks for the reply, I have. very little time to travel to domo so please tell us more about what you think of the different lifts. looking at videos and pics the platform 89 ft looks to be built good.
Merle Nelson
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- SF Bay Area, CA
What lift are you talking about? Googled Platform lift - saw nothing we would use.
I went and ran an Omme 90 some and worked around it for two days, was leaning toward that as it is seems good quality and has both diesel and battery.
Then I went to a demo of the Easy Lift 89 (they are going to do a 100 on the same base) and was surprised how stable the boom felt at full side reach. I had previously used the Easy Lift 70 for a few hours and the boom felt whippy, as did the Omme. Turns out a slightly different shape on the booms from rectangle makes a big difference.
All accounts I have heard so far of Easy Lift support is pretty over the top. Maybe one of the top reasons to chose one company over another.
If your busy you may not be able to afford not trying out at least the lift you intend to buy. And search google for bad reviews on same. They are involved pieces of equipment.
I went and ran an Omme 90 some and worked around it for two days, was leaning toward that as it is seems good quality and has both diesel and battery.
Then I went to a demo of the Easy Lift 89 (they are going to do a 100 on the same base) and was surprised how stable the boom felt at full side reach. I had previously used the Easy Lift 70 for a few hours and the boom felt whippy, as did the Omme. Turns out a slightly different shape on the booms from rectangle makes a big difference.
All accounts I have heard so far of Easy Lift support is pretty over the top. Maybe one of the top reasons to chose one company over another.
If your busy you may not be able to afford not trying out at least the lift you intend to buy. And search google for bad reviews on same. They are involved pieces of equipment.
Merle Nelson
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- SF Bay Area, CA
No, haven't. This is the first I am aware of it. Looks like to get that height you would go with a hybrid pretty closely matched to the Omme of that size. What has you leaning toward the Platform Lift?
You know all these are measured as working height if you hold your arms above your head right?
And one thing on pdf sheet of specs to compare is max side reach at different heights.
You know all these are measured as working height if you hold your arms above your head right?
And one thing on pdf sheet of specs to compare is max side reach at different heights.
BooRad
Participating member
- Location
- Chatham, NJ
Any Tracked Lift reviews to date? The New Oxford PA guys. "Arborist by Arborists" 72'.
Treetopflyer
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Coastal N.J
Merle, I believe you deal with tall trees in California ..if you have the trailer and truck to pull it, that 100 footer would be an amazing asset to your company I'm sure .. the 87 would be excellent as well. As stated tall generally is better if it fits into your program with towing and other considerations .. the 100 is the same side reach as 87 I believe.. I just picked up the 70 and will confirm it's a bit bouncy if not operating a tight ship so to speak.. our goal is to purchase a larger lift in two years I'm aiming for the 100.. I already would admit to tripling production just with our 70 and one climber.. the lightness in mass shorter length in travel is appealing on the 70..I've been researching these machines since 2016 at least just the overall design of easy lift vs. Other brands for tree work that I've noted makes them an easy choice.. I've not had any issues with my machine since loading it off the expo floor at tcia it had 20 hours from them testing we now have 110 hours on the meter with steady use.. The first day I had the machine out I didnt quite know what I was doing with it lol.. Alain answered the phone immediately and had me up and running in two minutes.. @UP Equip simple inside much love!
Merle Nelson
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- SF Bay Area, CA
Yes the 100 footer is what I'm thinking toward now. Great to read of your experiences. And, not knowing, is where every lift owner will start out as far as I can tell. So having support that is there for you is critical. Sounds good.
Treetopflyer
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Coastal N.J
Support is everything and quick fixes if any, not costly ones are very important. Simple inside
