Lift Advice

EasternArborist · Dec 18, 2020

Hello fellow tree professionals, looking for some advice here. The issue I have is the old bucket truck needs to move on, do I go for another bucket truck or lift? The trees in my area are not very tall but the side reach is very important especially being solo and "cut/ chucking" must jobs. After doing much research and weighing bucket vs lift and track vs wheel lift , I have narrowed it down to the dino 72 or nifty 64. I will be pulling it with a dedicated truck (f350) so dont need to worry about truck / trailer situation. A used bucket would be less money initially but tack on maintenance, excise, registrations ect.. I think a new lift would be as productive if not more and less cost to run/ maintain, and perhaps better resale value? Does anyone have a nifty or dino that can chime in? Am I on the right track? New to the site so thanks for ideas/ opinois ahead of time!

-M

Reach · Dec 18, 2020

Check with @flyingsquirrel25 on the Nifty, he has an SD64. I’ve worked along side it and it seems like a great option to me - plenty of side reach, reasonable height, and it is pretty fast. It is heavy enough to require a combination tag on your truck though and likely a Class A CDL to move it down the road though, a consideration if you don’t already have those.

VenasNursery · Dec 18, 2020

Reach said:
Check with @flyingsquirrel25 on the Nifty, he has an SD64. I’ve worked along side it and it seems like a great option to me - plenty of side reach, reasonable height, and it is pretty fast. It is heavy enough to require a combination tag on your truck though and likely a Class A CDL to move it down the road though, a consideration if you don’t already have those.

Nifty lift are a great machine

Fivepoints · Dec 18, 2020

Nifty absolutely sucks to try to get parts for. They are really bad about not answering the phone during business hours and not calling you back. We have had to call over a dozen times trying to get parts before. On the plus side, their tech folks really do try to be helpful if you have a problem like the outriggers are stuck down in a customer's yard.

EasternArborist · Dec 18, 2020

Ive heard these stories about nifty, Im leaning towards Dino lift, also the dealer of Dino is closer and has had good customer service reviews which is more than half the battle.

UP Equip · Dec 18, 2020

In case your mind isn't totally made up.
You will find interesting stories here about Easy Lift units and owners.

Gorman · Dec 18, 2020

UP Equip said:
In case your mind isn't totally made up.
You will find interesting stories here about Easy Lift units and owners.

No german dic fittings. Niiiiice.

EasternArborist · Dec 18, 2020

I like the 500lb non restricted bucket capacity with the wheel lifts vs the varied weight capacities of the track machines for my application. I also dont mind more weight under me being a bucket truck guy for a while.

VenasNursery · Dec 18, 2020

EasternArborist said:
I like the 500lb non restricted bucket capacity with the wheel lifts vs the varied weight capacities of the track machines for my application. I also dont mind more weight under me being a bucket truck guy for a while.

A cmc or upequip will be way more diverse and setup in a lot more jobs being able to fit through a 36” opening
It was a game changer for us

EasternArborist · Dec 18, 2020

The narrow track is a great option, for me not a game changer. I can use my bucket truck for 60% of the work I do which would be easy access for the wheel lift, for trees "off road" and out back I think 81" wide machine will be fine in my area, basically a bobcat bucket width. If I was in a more urban area the track would be no brainer, I also really like the ground speed Dino offers, Ive heard the track machines are generally slower over ground and in the air.

BooRad · Dec 18, 2020

If your not going traditional truck mounted, I'd spend a bit more and go with a tracked lift. Now what brand? Plenty of threads here on that!

VenasNursery · Dec 18, 2020

EasternArborist said:
The narrow track is a great option, for me not a game changer. I can use my bucket truck for 60% of the work I do which would be easy access for the wheel lift, for trees "off road" and out back I think 81" wide machine will be fine in my area, basically a bobcat bucket width. If I was in a more urban area the track would be no brainer, I also really like the ground speed Dino offers, Ive heard the track machines are generally slower over ground and in the air.

I said the same about our bucket truck
BUT after purchasing it’s a whole new world

adolan · Dec 19, 2020

I would strongly suggest you reconsider a bucket truck over the lift- obviously if access is an issue a lift would be the better choice. A well built rear mount can get into tight spots with some mats and can tow equipment. A lift is slower to use, the units I've used take multiple setups to complete a tree that one bucket setup could easily do and the sensors are extremely finicky compared to a bucket truck.

Lifts have their place but if you can use a bucket truck to access the majority of the trees you are working on I would recommend another bucket truck.

EasternArborist · Dec 19, 2020

Thanks adolan, Ive certainly considered another bucket seeing thats what I have and am used to, it is much more convenient to use. The new (anything post emissions) diesel engines, cost to run, maintain, register and insure has me leaning towards lift. I agree 100% the lift option would be slower and a pain to tow around, very tough decision. Going to demo the 72 Dino today. The specs (reach) are similar to a new XT55, the lift goes higher and is a 20K or so less. In a perfect world Id have both but with the choice down to 1 the lift still seems to make more sense.

VenasNursery · Dec 19, 2020

EasternArborist said:
Thanks adolan, Ive certainly considered another bucket seeing thats what I have and am used to, it is much more convenient to use. The new (anything post emissions) diesel engines, cost to run, maintain, register and insure has me leaning towards lift. I agree 100% the lift option would be slower and a pain to tow around, very tough decision. Going to demo the 72 Dino today. The specs (reach) are similar to a new XT55, the lift goes higher and is a 20K or so less. In a perfect world Id have both but with the choice down to 1 the lift still seems to make more sense.

I’ve never seen nor heard of anyone with a Dino in action
Perfect world is a bucket truck and a lift no doubt
A rear mount 75’ just over 200k
Our lift 83’ on a 4x4 under cdl right at 200k
No trailer work off the truck and also can pull a trailer with mini and stumper

EasternArborist · Dec 19, 2020

That's a nice setup, fortunately our trees are smaller, 72' range would the the bigger size in my area, most guys get away with a 50/60. I also do have a flatbed 350 with a trailer for my mini so dont need another truck to pull a lift. The Dino is a newer lift to the market, Ive talked to some people who use it vs nifty and love it although the SD64 was a close 2nd. Ill post some pictures of the machine later this eve or tomorrow. Thanks for all the replies, its interesting to see what people are doing across the US for trees and gear!

OasisTree · Dec 19, 2020

BTW, I have run the SD64 for the last 4 years, in my opinion the best lift for the money. Dino makes a good machine, but the deal breaker for us was that it doesnt have independent steering axles, and it is a fair bit more money. We like the larger basket as well. Nifty is expanding their service market, I had mine serviced locally when it went down under warranty. It has not been a problem getting parts from Nifty for us. Narrow track machines don't make sense on properties without fences, and you have steep hills to navigate. I realized too that you don't have to do all of the jobs to be profitable...

EasternArborist · Dec 20, 2020

The Dino 72RXT was great, the machine had a rock solid feel. The controls will take a while to get used to though, the computer is what makes me nervous, a lot of buttons to push and pedal to run the machine, no doubt I will be missing the always live controls of the old TEREX bucket. Going to need to re train myself to run one of these contraptions.

Likes: Solid platform, super fast ground speed, great side reach, beefy components.

Dislikes: Computer computer computer, If you are on the pedal for 10 seconds and do not use any controls the machine locks up, you need to take foot off the pedal and push down again to reset the machine and Idle up the motor. Will that sensor or switch give me issues? I get that these machines need to be safe but at what cost. I have heard the SD64 is less computerized.

The man bucket also can't be easily switched out, the whole upper control panel is attached, I think the 2 man bucket will be ok though.

The drive of the machine is also bumpy, from what Ive heard the nifty drives much better. Not a game changer, I wont be hauling ass around much on any lift.

I guess there is no ideal machine, they all have a few quirks. Im still leaning Dino for now, lets hope the dealer can keep me running for a long time and I dont end up hating the machine. I will say of my winter work stash this machine would eliminate all the tough access climbs, gravy train working from a basket in the back.

VenasNursery · Dec 20, 2020

EasternArborist said:
The Dino 72RXT was great, the machine had a rock solid feel. The controls will take a while to get used to though, the computer is what makes me nervous, a lot of buttons to push and pedal to run the machine, no doubt I will be missing the always live controls of the old TEREX bucket. Going to need to re train myself to run one of these contraptions.

Likes: Solid platform, super fast ground speed, great side reach, beefy components.

Dislikes: Computer computer computer, If you are on the pedal for 10 seconds and do not use any controls the machine locks up, you need to take foot off the pedal and push down again to reset the machine and Idle up the motor. Will that sensor or switch give me issues? I get that these machines need to be safe but at what cost. I have heard the SD64 is less computerized.

The man bucket also can't be easily switched out, the whole upper control panel is attached, I think the 2 man bucket will be ok though.

The drive of the machine is also bumpy, from what Ive heard the nifty drives much better. Not a game changer, I wont be hauling ass around much on any lift.

I guess there is no ideal machine, they all have a few quirks. Im still leaning Dino for now, lets hope the dealer can keep me running for a long time and I dont end up hating the machine. I will say of my winter work stash this machine would eliminate all the tough access climbs, gravy train working from a basket in the back.

The tuepen has a two person basket that can’t be changed
I can’t imagine trying to squirt in and out pruning with a two person basket it would definitely limit movements inside the canopy

that’s how they get extra reach

EasternArborist · Dec 20, 2020

The dino 2 man bucket does pivot and fold 90 degrees to the boom making it more narrow, it would help for sure but still a lot of cage up there. One of the machines had an quick release/ attach on the man basket I forget which one, seems like a no brainer.