ISO 75 Foot Bucket Truck

My limited experience with Colvin's has been that their equipment is solid, but overpriced and they won't deal. We were looking at one of their's a few years ago. Grossly overpriced, couldn't negotiate for anything. Let it sit there like 6 months, called them back up thinking we had some leverage and they still wouldn't come down $1! Let us know if you can crack them.
 
Jeff said:
My limited experience with Colvin's has been that their equipment is solid, but overpriced and they won't deal. We were looking at one of their's a few years ago. Grossly overpriced, couldn't negotiate for anything. Let it sit there like 6 months, called them back up thinking we had some leverage and they still wouldn't come down $1! Let us know if you can crack them.
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Oh Boy!! I have my work cut out for me. Maybe Ill have my old boss go and negotiate with them. I am going to call them tomorrow and see if they are interested in dealing. I think that truck is about 20K over-priced.
 
Okay....So here is my situation and I need some advice. I need to update my bucket truck. I also need to spend some money before years end. That is actually why I want to update my bucket truck. That is the oldest piece of equipment in the fleet. It is also used almost every day.
I want a 75 footer. But getting a new one is out of the question at the current moment. I just can not swing the 177,500 dollars for a new one.
Here are my options...#1 Update my bucket with a newer smaller lift and then in a few years update that to a 75 footer. I have my eye on a nice ALC with a 62 foot boom. Priced really well....Could buy it outright with no financing.
Option Number 2. Take a change with Tri-Stare Forestry and buy this truck.... http://www.tristateforestryequipment.com/car/rear-mount-bucket-2007-2/

I am just a little nervous about spending 90K on a piece of junk. I am also nervous about buying a 62 foot lift when I know that it is too small for some of our projects.
Do I just bite the bullet and get the reliable 62 footer and upgrade when the time is right. I am not having any problem with getting work done with my current 62 footer. Its just if I drop 67,500 on a truck it would be nice for it to be towards a 75 footer. I hate the pressure of the year end purchase. If I had another 4 months I would be in a better position to buy new.
 
The 75 pictured looks sweet. One small problem though: Tri State. Afaik, not one positive thing has ever been posted on TB about them. That has to count for something. ALC's are super sweet but if you already have a 62'er, hold onto it and save your money. Or if that means taking a tax hit, can't the dealer and your accountant work out something that let's you release your tax burden without actually buying a new 75' now, then in the 4 months time, finish the deal and buy it?

I have a 75, it is a fine machine, saves tons of work and time.
 
Of those two choices, I would go with the ALC. If it is priced well, it should depreciate less also, and not financing is always a plus.
 
cory said:
The 75 pictured looks sweet. One small problem though: Tri State. Afaik, not one positive thing has ever been posted on TB about them. That has to count for something. ALC's are super sweet but if you already have a 62'er, hold onto it and save your money. Or if that means taking a tax hit, can't the dealer and your accountant work out something that let's you release your tax burden without actually buying a new 75' now, then in the 4 months time, finish the deal and buy it?

I have a 75, it is a fine machine, saves tons of work and time.
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That is my hang up. Its being sold from Tri-State. If it was anyone else I would rush right down and take a good look at it. One thing though. A tree company in the town over from me bought a used bucket from Tri-State and it has been flawless for them. But, the owner went down twice to inspect it and went right through it on his own. I am just wondering if I take my mechanic down and we inspect will we be okay? Still a gamble I guess.
I have a meeting with my acceptant to discuss that very thing.
 
Lumberjack said:
Of those two choices, I would go with the ALC. If it is priced well, it should depreciate less also, and not financing is always a plus.
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Yeah, but will I regret not having 75 feet of reach? I hear you though. I have this holiday to get this all figured out. Now that i have some time to think clearly.
 
tc262 said:
If your considering it you better beat him up on the price. Just remember that thing is still 10 years old!
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Good point. What do you think is a good price for that considering it is used, will have something wrong with it (they always do) and is 10 years old?
I want to know how many hours are on it. I would think someone who sells equipment would know enough to list that info.
 
You cant trust how many hours it says it has, there are ways of changing that. He probably didn't list the hours because they are sky high.
 
That's a nice looking rig ? If your that interested I would go look can't hurt. Bring mechanic Dig in to it , hard machine to find and decent price could be worth the effort. should be easy to tell if it is a painted turd.

Truck
check to see if head has ever been off you should be able to tell,if it has maybe had problems (heated up or injectors)
2nd see how long it takes to start cranking time (checks ipr sensors) shouldn't take more then a few seconds of cranking

Machine.
1 has it been repainted ,check all welds if so check welds on lower pin and epoxy around lower insert,upper boom cylinder weld meant for cracks,and if all else fails be honest with him and say I want to take to someone else for a 2nd opinion on machine safety. Tell him you are from the buzz and read poor reviews might make him honest, and could be good for him to fix his rep on here. Good luck
 
ROYCE said:
Yeah, but will I regret not having 75 feet of reach? I hear you though. I have this holiday to get this all figured out. Now that i have some time to think clearly.
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I'd get to 70' in a different manner (think green hahaha) vs buying from him.... can always upgrade the new to you bucket later to get it to 70-75'.
 
He says their is 6K hours on the machine. But I am kinda leaning towards the ALC. The ALC is close by, and it being sold by a very reputable tree service who has all service logs for the last 10 years. Also, they just replaced the upper and lower boom cylinders, cables are good at this time.
 
I already mentioned renting one but if nobody is around you that rents... I emailed Nifty Lift and they sent me a list of companies closest to me who purchased one. Maybe see if someone not to far away has one and go check out their operation for a few hours and see how it does.
 
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