Lift trucks for reisdential arboriculture

B

BayneMTC

I am in the market for a rear mount lift truck (pre-owned) to assist in residential tree pruning and removal. We have a staff of four (three of which are climbers) Tree preservation and tree maintenance has been our focus, yet we do our share of large tree removal. As I know little about these trucks I need help in deciding what is most important. Is it more important to have a truck with a higher reach or an upper boom that goes over center? A shorter wheel base seems desireable because of is maneauverability, but how significant is it? My current D.L. is good to 26,000 GVW. Does looking for a truck under CDL make sense? Do they hold up.? Are they compromised in any way? This truck will not replace our climbers. It is meant to assist pruning large spreading trees, to do trees too hazardous to climb, and to speed up removals accessible to a lift. For many jobs we routinely handle it will not be involved.
What should I be looking for.? What questions should I be asking?
 
Re: Lift trucks for residential arboriculture

What height are the trees that you mainly do? not sure where your from as it doesn't say in your profile.

I would say diesel, 2WD, over center is a MUST. I prefer an elevator as well, you will wonder how you did tree work without them.

Terex is a solid unit, they have the best elevator system transversely mounted behind the rear axle. This means less loss of distance due to being mounted in front of the rear axle. (every inch counts, right?) Terex design allows you to use the deck of the truck for storage of alturna mats, ball carts, hand tools, gear, etc etc. also allows you to throw short logs up there for hauling away.

Altec makes the smoothest booms around, and a great elevator as well, IMO. The drawback with them is they are mounted horizontally on the rear. Tis eats up all the deck room, and sits you back from the rear bumper almost 6', meaning you lose 6' of reach off the rear. I love the rounded upper boom though, tree branches just slide right off of them. They also have their elevator controls on the joystick not a separate lever which allows multiple movements with the elevator and other directions at once.

Versalift have the best lifts in the industry, and released an elevator last year. haven't had the chance to run an elevator unit, but their traditional units are my favorite, save for the 3 levers. Most reliable units I have seen.

Hope this helps!?
 
Re: Lift trucks for residential arboriculture

Thank you for your input. Helps big time. We're in the Hudson Valley region NY State (semi-rural). Sugar Maples, Oak and Ash, White Pines, Norway Spruce (60'-90') Hemlock Hedges, W.Birches, dead Elms, Willows, etc. Except for certain hazard situations and Elms that spread with no good center leader, we're able to do most everything by climbing. Still I want to add the lift truck to our m.o.

The 2nd hand market doesn't always offer the best choices (or rear mounts with elevators) If I read you right it's preferable to have a 55' lift with overcenter than a 60' elbow lift without.

What about GVW?
 
Re: Lift trucks for residential arboriculture

Trying to stay under the 26,000 lb. range is going to limit your choices a lot. I know they make them under weight, but every one I have ever driven required a class B. Not that big a deal to get the class B.
 
Re: Lift trucks for residential arboriculture

Having run the trucks we have, and doing this work for a little while now......I wouldn't run a truck without an elevator on any job if given the choice. ESPECIALLY doing Line Clearance and residential work! The elevator gives you so many more options than a non elevator.

I don't think that a non over center boom has a place in our industry, unless its the MAT3.

What is holding you back from getting your class B? Like was pointed out above, you get a lot more truck for your money, the trucks are more stable due to the extra build weight, and options, and better resale value.

If you're in NY, you will want to think about 4WD as well. Which will almost certainly put you over 33K.
 
Re: Lift trucks for residential arboriculture

What role can a material handler play in tree work? Is it a big advantaqge?
What other options should I be asking about?
The best values (and best looking trucks) seem to come from dealers in Florida. Any comment on that?
 
Re: Lift trucks for residential arboriculture

material handlers have NO place in treework IMO, besides picking up small logs from the ground and putting into the truck.

Every pick would be a shock load, unless someone else was cutting them and you were running the bucket. And you never really know what a piece is going to weight until its on the line.

Stay clear of this type of thinking, lots of accidents happen like this every year.
 
Re: Lift trucks for residential arboriculture

I'd have to say that you are going to want a MINIMUM of 60' in a rear mount. I've different trucks before to a certain extent, and in this area I'd say anything under 60' is gonna be too small a lot of the time.
 
Re: Lift trucks for residential arboriculture

[ QUOTE ]
material handlers have NO place in treework IMO, besides picking up small logs from the ground and putting into the truck.

Every pick would be a shock load, unless someone else was cutting them and you were running the bucket. And you never really know what a piece is going to weight until its on the line. [ QUOTE ]


Must disagree there... What makes you say that?... It's simple enough to tie a piece off to itself with some short cordage/strap, make the cut and then lift the piece off once it is hanging vertical.. How hard is that?

Don't be so sure of what can't be done!
 
Re: Lift trucks for residential arboriculture

Since this is a thread on "residential" arb. I think the mtl. handler is to heavy to ride the lawn and that significantly limits its use unless you like to do lawn repairs with your spare time.
 
Re: Lift trucks for residential arboriculture

[ QUOTE ]
material handlers have NO place in treework IMO, besides picking up small logs from the ground and putting into the truck.

Every pick would be a shock load...

[/ QUOTE ]

Not necessarily; butt-hitching the piece with a sling, THEN hooking it eliminates that. That's how I used to do it when we had a MH.

Can't beat a rear-mount, either.
 
Re: Lift trucks for residential arboriculture

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
material handlers have NO place in treework IMO, besides picking up small logs from the ground and putting into the truck.

Every pick would be a shock load...

[/ QUOTE ]

Not necessarily; butt-hitching the piece with a sling, THEN hooking it eliminates that. That's how I used to do it when we had a MH.

Can't beat a rear-mount, either.

[/ QUOTE ]

Erik,

You have a point, but how many guys do it this way? Seems like more work than its worth.

Guys get too over confident with MH, and take pieces within their charts, but shockload the boom hwile doing so. The booms eventually get stress cracks and failure down the line.

My .02 worth
 
Re: Lift trucks for residential arboriculture

I have an altec elev.Love it !! When we designed it we had 30"of extra deck cut off the back so we can sneak a little tighter to the trees! Im w BB though , i do not Know how I did the work w/o this truck before! It really does aoffer a lot of options . The elevator is worth the duckets!!
 
Re: Lift trucks for residential arboriculture

[ QUOTE ]
I have an altec elev.Love it !! When we designed it we had 30"of extra deck cut off the back so we can sneak a little tighter to the trees! Im w BB though , i do not Know how I did the work w/o this truck before! It really does aoffer a lot of options . The elevator is worth the duckets!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Why not just buy the bigger picker and have a smaller one as well. The elevator gives you extra up but not extra out as I see it...but whatta I know?
 
Re: Lift trucks for residential arboriculture

I'd figure out what your budget is first. Yes, elevator's are great as is over center and material handling capabilities but you said you have 3 climbers so you really don't NEED any of that, do you?
 
Re: Lift trucks for residential arboriculture

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
material handlers have NO place in treework IMO, besides picking up small logs from the ground and putting into the truck.

Every pick would be a shock load...

[/ QUOTE ]

Not necessarily; butt-hitching the piece with a sling, THEN hooking it eliminates that. That's how I used to do it when we had a MH.

Can't beat a rear-mount, either.

[/ QUOTE ]

Erik,

You have a point, but how many guys do it this way? Seems like more work than its worth.

Guys get too over confident with MH, and take pieces within their charts, but shockload the boom hwile doing so. The booms eventually get stress cracks and failure down the line.

My .02 worth

[/ QUOTE ]

You are correct as well... the boom should NEVER NEVER EVER be shocked like that. As for the MH... It's not something I used on a regular basis, but there were a few times it was nice to reel pieces in and swing them over a tall fence with no gate rather than drag all the way 'round the house.
 
Re: Lift trucks for residential arboriculture

Over-center is great; I wish my current truck did that. Of course, I'd like another 10 or 15 feet of boom, too, but that won't get rectified until the spring.

Of all the lifts I've owned and operated, I like the Versalift and A-Conn units best. HiRanger is a PITA to work on, and Altec is retarded when it comes time to buy parts.
 
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