Nifty TM64

Ive been considering the tm64 for a while. Ive rented the tm50 with traction drive a few times. The traction drive is VERY slow but does work. It works on lawns ok but won't climb slopes very well if at all. Im worried with the tm64 at 7700lbs being even slower and less capable climbing hills. Also 7700 lbs is basically on two tires that will leave ruts in lawns if moist at all. I am hoping you get some good responses because I am interested as well. I love the specs on the machine with great outreach. The only thing I don't like is no jib available like the sd64.
 
VenasNursery said:
Sounds like you’ve done your homework

7700lbs is heavy on a single axles so mats or plywood
And hills I would think is sketchy at least in my opinion
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Ive been considering one for a while now. On paper the machine is amazing. Over 60' height. 40' outreach. Drivable. Under CDL. $70k brand new.

But
It is 7700lbs on two trailer tires
Traction drive is super slow and will limit access.
7700lbs is tough to move around with a mini skid
 
wisconsintreeguy said:
Ive been considering one for a while now. On paper the machine is amazing. Over 60' height. 40' outreach. Drivable. Under CDL. $70k brand new.

But
It is 7700lbs on two trailer tires
Traction drive is super slow and will limit access.
7700lbs is tough to move around with a mini skid
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Just spend a bit more and buy the SD64. I think the towable will be too limited for normal use, and a mini is not likely going to move that except on flat pavement.
 
I've used the towable one that is around 50ft and the one that is around 34ft. I had a good experience with both lifts. As mentioned, there are limitations to the towable lifts though. Good for some things but not everything. Keep that in mind.
 
flushcut said:
Only way I would consider buying a trailer mount unit is if I have a mini to move it. And my service area is flat.
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Some of them can be pretty light though where a couple guy's can push them around. More difficult off pavement of course, and defintely not the most efficient way to do business.

I was trimming some large hemlocks with a 34ft Nifty and needed to squeeze it in between the hedges and a house all the way down the line into a backyard. Hard to fit truck in there so I hooked the lift up to a Nissan Rogue and was able to squeeze it all the way into the backyard lol.

Lift on tracks or wheels that is self-propelled would defintely be my preference.
 
I was considering the TM64 as well. We quite often use a Genie 50' and move it around with the mini, Ditch Witch SK800, which really works well. However, at roughly 4500# there are situations that are at the limit of the mini. The tongue of the lift is a really long lever when one tire meets an obstacle. I just don't think the mini is gonna move the bigger one, TM64, around safely. And if it is flat/smooth enough for the mini to move it, I would imagine the traction drive would move it as well. I even considered the mini and the traction drive together, but unless it was stuck, coordinating both controls with two people would be difficult. If you had a full size skid steer with a hitch plate, that would work well I would think. We are on the list for a SD64. I have sweated the details for a long time, I hope I'm right.
 
Mud said:
I was considering the TM64 as well. We quite often use a Genie 50' and move it around with the mini, Ditch Witch SK800, which really works well. However, at roughly 4500# there are situations that are at the limit of the mini. The tongue of the lift is a really long lever when one tire meets an obstacle. I just don't think the mini is gonna move the bigger one, TM64, around safely. And if it is flat/smooth enough for the mini to move it, I would imagine the traction drive would move it as well. I even considered the mini and the traction drive together, but unless it was stuck, coordinating both controls with two people would be difficult. If you had a full size skid steer with a hitch plate, that would work well I would think. We are on the list for a SD64. I have sweated the details for a long time, I hope I'm right.
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Thank you.I have been researching this for the past year.I am looking to get this for my chimney company but due to lack of info on the traction drive on anything but flat is hard to find.Im ok with slow moving if it works not looking to climb big hills just your average yard with slight ups and downs.I have a dingo 1000 that I thought for sure would move it around but after reading everyones replies.(which is greatly appreciated.)Im starting to second guess I was going to pull the trigger this week but will probably have to dig deeper. Does anybody know of any videos out there.Thanks again
 
oldetymee said:
Thank you.I have been researching this for the past year.I am looking to get this for my chimney company but due to lack of info on the traction drive on anything but flat is hard to find.Im ok with slow moving if it works not looking to climb big hills just your average yard with slight ups and downs.I have a dingo 1000 that I thought for sure would move it around but after reading everyones replies.(which is greatly appreciated.)Im starting to second guess I was going to pull the trigger this week but will probably have to dig deeper. Does anybody know of any videos out there.Thanks again
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Perhaps find a rental company and see if it works for your needs? I don't remember the brand, but the local United Rentals had a tow behind available a few years ago that had the same drive system. They told me at the time that it was really only effective on parking lots, that it wouldn't work off road.



I occasionally will rent a lift and have moved them many times with my mini skid, although typically it is in tight driveways (not in grass) my mini is a wheeled unit which should have considerably less traction than your dingo 1000. You might find that the mini will accomplish the moving that you need to do, however self propelled will probably be easier/better most of the time.
 
Ive had the SD64 for a half year now, its been a great machine so far. I haven't pushed it too hard as far as driving on slopes and rough terrain but have been very impressed with the lack of damage to turf. And am also happy with the reach and control layout. Feel free to ask any questions about the SD64, I can give you my opinion as a new lift owner/operator.

I should add the only thing I don't like about it is the payment. ;)
 
Jehinten said:
Perhaps find a rental company and see if it works for your needs? I don't remember the brand, but the local United Rentals had a tow behind available a few years ago that had the same drive system. They told me at the time that it was really only effective on parking lots, that it wouldn't work off road.



I occasionally will rent a lift and have moved them many times with my mini skid, although typically it is in tight driveways (not in grass) my mini is a wheeled unit which should have considerably less traction than your dingo 1000. You might find that the mini will accomplish the moving that you need to do, however self propelled will probably be easier/better most of the time.
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Thank you very much for the reply. Do you think that the ones you have rented are comparable to the weight of the tm64.(7800lb).I love the self drive and have rented them but all the extras that come with it like trailer storage etc.Just will not work for me Im open to any suggestions.
 
oldetymee said:
Thank you very much for the reply. Do you think that the ones you have rented are comparable to the weight of the tm64.(7800lb).I love the self drive and have rented them but all the extras that come with it like trailer storage etc.Just will not work for me Im open to any suggestions.
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How does a trailer and storage of an SD64 not work but the TM64 does? I can’t imagine there’s a big difference in space needed by an SD64 on trailer than there is with a TM64 which has its own trailer built in.

Another option is to buy a rollback or ramp truck to haul the SD64, there’s a guy on here who has one. I’ve seen it, works real well for him.
 
oldetymee said:
Thank you very much for the reply. Do you think that the ones you have rented are comparable to the weight of the tm64.(7800lb).I love the self drive and have rented them but all the extras that come with it like trailer storage etc.Just will not work for me Im open to any suggestions.
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I just looked up specs with two companies that I've rented from, and these two machines are only 4400-4600lbs. A good deal less than what your looking at.
 
I run a SD64 and am a dealer for Nifty.

I’ve sold one TM64 to the tree industry, the rest went to other industries. I’ve sold 40 something SD64 I believe and have ~18 on order.

I do have a TM64 on order for starting a rental fleet (along with TM34 and TM50). Having a 70’ lift that can be towed by a F150 seems like a good product for rental.

My first lift was a towable 56’ lift; I thought I wanted a TM64 based on that experience. I couldn’t find one available, ended up getting an SD64. No regrets. Became a dealer shortly after.
 
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