Giant(Branch manager) vs Avant vs multi one

Hey guys! Resurrecting an old thread! Any new insights since last year? I have been running a gehl al20dx (as mentioned previously in the thread, made by Avant) a 2000 pound machine that is rated to lift 1400 lb, and will lift a 1000 pound log with the branch manager grapple)

We love our loader! We do wish it was somewhat bigger. In my opinion a 3500 pound machine that will lift 2,000 pounds or so would be ideal. I am also in the plastic vs metal debate. We love our telescoping boom on our loader and I am bummed that Giant does not make a machine in the 3500 to 4000 pound range with a telescoping boom.

Does anyone have a verified log weight that the giant 254 will pick up?
 
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Gareth's Tree said:
Sorry! That should be "log" weight!
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The Giant 254 is in the 2000# lift class - rated tipping 2200#s.
Now foam fill the 13" wide tires - add counterweights, and an operator of stature and you are lifting more.

Thing about bigger more expensive heavier machines is you can only carry so much brush around a house, the little Giant can handle more brush in 1 load than most all tow-able chippers can take at once.
 

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So the advantage of bigger machines is only when hauling logs out (yep a few less trips)
BUTT Again the little Giant can get the Job done
skip to 3:20 in the video

Less money than a Avant 640, alot less than the 750's -
The Avants do not have oscillating axles, American standard Mini Universal Hitch. STEEL sides, etc etc
 
tnttree said:
So the advantage of bigger machines is only when hauling logs out (yep a few less trips)
BUTT Again the little Giant can get the Job done
skip to 3:20 in the video

Less money than a Avant 640, alot less than the 750's -
The Avants do not have oscillating axles, American standard Mini Universal Hitch. STEEL sides, etc etc
Click to expand...

That last log is definitely a big one! I guess I am just kind of a numbers guy... I know our Gehl al20dx will lift a 1000 lb log with the branch manager grapple. (We weighed the log) and I know that my machine's tipping capacity is 1400 lb.

So, if the giant is rated at 2200 lb, does that mean it will lift an 1800 lb log? I know that our loader will do about 65% of what we need to do easily and another 20% of what we need to do with difficulty. And there is maybe 15% of what we do that it really is just too small for.

And yes, we do not need to move brush any faster than what our loader will do. It would only be handy to have a bigger loader when there are big pieces of wood that need to be moved across a lawn.
 
Gareth's Tree said:
So, if the giant is rated at 2200 lb, does that mean it will lift an 1800 lb log? I know that our loader will do about 65% of what we need to do easily and another 20% of what we need to do with difficulty. And there is maybe 15% of what we do that it really is just too small for.
Click to expand...

I have always called the AL20 (Avant 420) a 1200# lift class. I have owned several, great machine! When I sold my Tree company I did not sell it to the new owner. Its what turned me on to lightwieght Articulating loaders - (20 years ago) its why I respect Avant
that said the Giant 254T is an even better machine for numerous reasons - figure its roughly 40% stronger

Gareth's Tree said:
And yes, we do not need to move brush any faster than what our loader will do. It would only be handy to have a bigger loader when there are big pieces of wood that need to be moved across a lawn.
Click to expand...
big logs - less cuts - 1/2 the forwarding trips, bigger heavier loader needed for sure
but all around - average 30" inch removals
the value of a lighter smaller loader can out-weigh hauling the larger loader around
**** How about carrying it on a the back of your Clam truck on a removable Rack, cool Idea - you are not doing this with a bigger loader3542.webp
 
tnttree said:
I have always called the AL20 (Avant 420) a 1200# lift class. I have owned several, great machine! When I sold my Tree company I did not sell it to the new owner. Its what turned me on to lightwieght Articulating loaders - (20 years ago) its why I respect Avant
that said the Giant 254T is an even better machine for numerous reasons - figure its roughly 40% stronger


big logs - less cuts - 1/2 the forwarding trips, bigger heavier loader needed for sure
but all around - average 30" inch removals
the value of a lighter smaller loader can out-weigh hauling the larger loader around
**** How about carrying it on a the back of your Clam truck on a removable Rack, cool Idea - you are not doing this with a bigger loaderView attachment 59067
Click to expand...
Yes, that is another consideration. As of right now we pick up our loader and carry it around on the bed of the grapple saw truck.

In a pinch we have also put our Carlton 4400-4 (older version of the 7015) stump grinder up there next to it.

We would not be doing that with a much bigger loader either...
 
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