RopeTek Wraptor $2k Delivered

[Lumberjack]

I bought this unit new from Paul and rode it the first time 8/25/2014. The first time I rode a Wraptor was in 2009 I believe. Aside from breaking it in (no load per Paul's instructions), and running it out of fuel for storage, I've only used it on 5 trees that I remember, far less than half a tank burned. My climber has a Wraptor and I just bought a 70' lift so this can go.


Call/text any time with questions. 662-251-8686

 

[cutter13]

Wondering how you like the lift, looking at going that route too. Do you find the basket too wide or does its maneuverability make up for that?

 

[lucky_dad]

I bought this unit new from Paul and rode it the first time 8/25/2014. The first time I rode a Wraptor was in 2009 I believe. Aside from breaking it in (no load per Paul's instructions), and running it out of fuel for storage, I've only used it on 5 trees that I remember, far less than half a tank burned. My climber has a Wraptor and I just bought a 70' lift so this can go.


View attachment 31166 View attachment 31167 View attachment 31168 View attachment 31169 Call/text any time with questions. 662-251-8686

Where were you able to get the lift ??


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lumberjack]

I literally just bought it. I'm actually going to try to become a dealer. I'll find more about that tomorrow. I think they're fantastic (so far), and because of that I think I will be a natural dealer for them. My product knowledge exceeds the dealer I bought it from and his mechanic. While I had a positive enough experience, there were a few things I would have done differently with regards to customer service.

I mainly do removals, the basket shouldn't be an issue.

 

[cutter13]

let us know how the lift works and when and if you become a dealer. I'm trying to rent one now to try it out but they are all spoken for.

 

[Lumberjack]

You're renting an SD64? I did work out an arrangement with the dealer I bought mine from to sell for him also. He has another coming in in around 2 weeks that could have your name on it. Mine arrived around Christmas according to him.

How serious are you about purchasing?

 

[Leroy]

Nice lift!

 

[cutter13]

Trying to rent one to see if it is a good fit for us and get rid of the bucket truck. Looking for something lighter and smaller with more height but don't need to go as narrow as a spider lift. Looking to buy within the next year or so.

 

[Lumberjack]

I had a Genie TZ50/30 for ~7 years.

The SD64 is an entirely different animal in the most outstanding of ways. It weighs 1klbs more than the trailer mounted version of that boom (TM64, without a jib), but the weight is across 4 ~15" wide tires instead of 2 trailer tires carrying 7klbs or so.

The travel speed is downright scary fast in tighter areas, but it's completely adjustable (pump swash plate angle via knob in basket) and the drive control is proportional (forward/reverse lever). Driving around a neighborhood will be a snap, which would be a great help after a storm. Drive from one job to the next at a very fast walk. Gradability is excellent, it's rated for 24*, but I haven't taken it to the tractive effort limits yet. It had no problem climbing onto my gooseneck flatbed.

The steering on the "front" axle is controlled by a rocker switch on the joystick, the rear axle is controlled by a rocker switch on the control panel. I could see the desire for the joystick to be 2 axis to allow steering the front axle with the joystick and the rocker being the rear axle, but it's not a big deal as best I can tell. The coordinated steering's inside turning radius is ~5.5', which is nuts. You have to remember to slow down the pump (knob control) when turning that sharp or it can be a bit tough to hang on in the basket.

The suspension is a nice touch, although a suspension lock would be nice to hold the suspension collapsed on the low side of the outrigger setup. That would allow you to set up on steeper areas and still be able to keep the tires off the ground. I'm guessing there's ~6-8" of suspension travel, although I haven't measured it.

The bottom boom is like an elevator on a 70' bucket, it travels straight up. This is awesome for a few reasons, but the main reason I liked it to start with is you have full reach from ground level until the bottom boom runs out of height, which is around 32' working height according to the chart.

After I talk to Nifty about becoming a dealer I'll make some videos showing the various features of the machines. Hopefully it'll be dry enough next weekend-the following week to start knocking some work out.

 

[cutter13]

Looking forward to hearing how it works for you and seeing the videos! I definately like the idea of zero tail swing especially when surrounded by other trees and the elevator to get above or below a branch to get the opposite side of the tree.

 

[Lumberjack]

Sold!

I'll start a Nifty lift thread soon if anyone would like. I put mine to work yesterday. We did $3k in removals between Thursday and Friday. We finished the first job Thursday, and knocked down today's trees yesterday evening. Today we cleaned up the second job's trees in ~3 hours. A total of around 9 hours on site for the two jobs.

 

[Flex Abednego]

Thanks Carl. Now I got the old postal itch

 

[Merle Nelson]

Yes on the thread. I know I probably want a lift in the future. I like to research things till I know I'm buying right for me.

I bought a new chipper a while back and one of the sales people that I had tried to work with observed that I had been looking for about a year and a half. I thought, well how about this, how about you get the answers for a customer that need to come from the manufacturer? I had the money a few months into my search and actually hurt myself on taxes by not having info soon enough.

At any rate I like the knowledge AND tree business owner perspective you bring to equipment Carl. You add a ton of value to the transaction.

(And if you ever want an additional business consider training sales people.)