Skyhook Model 100HD crane

rfwoodvt

rfwoodvt

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Hey all,

Went to look at a Skyhook 100 foot crane today. price is right, crane is in excellent shape but the truck needs some work.

Anyhow, am interested in hearing from folks who have run the Skyhook and would be especially interested in your thoughts, tricks and caveats on the operation of the unit as well as maintenance concerns.

Also, if anyone happens to have a copy of an owners manual they'd care to share I'd like to look at one of those too.

ThanX!

Rick
 
Load chart is pretty straight forward. Max Ext (100 ft) at 85 degrees cap is 1000#

half ext out to 60 degrees is 1000#

Pretty much load chart indicates it will handle our normal parting out sizes as well as positioning our climbers.

from the looks of the controls it seems that boom retraction is a gravity driven. Anyone out here any experience with the best way to retract under load?
 
I thought that retracting under load was frowned upon as it wears out the sliding plates between sections, not that I know much about cranes thought.
 
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I thought that retracting under load was frowned upon as it wears out the sliding plates between sections, not that I know much about cranes thought.

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I think it is imoprtant to use the extend/retract . When you can keep less wire rope out there is more control of the load. Theres no need for 90' of boom out when setting pieces behind the truck. I used my old crane for 5+ years and never saw noticeable wear due to this. Kbooms do alot more and no problems.
 
Lets say for giggles that the ball weighs 200lbs, now you're down to 800lbs capacity. You should only pick 1/2 of what your max rated for in a good world, 3/4 at MOST! Thats 400lbs and 600lbs respectively, imagine the size of those pieces, and then what are you going to do with them? you cant boom down any further, you're at MAX! 85* angle isn't much.

You cant use a piece of equipment for its max rating every day, or even come close to it. Everything has a cycles to failure, cranes included.

I think this purchase should be skipped over, and $ saved for a different model personally.
 
Good points BB.

I'm not sure what the max weight rating is based on boom strength. The angle tables make reference only to tipping weights and angles.

I've given thought to a number of weight options. Bottom line for us currently when we self rig and DWT rig the heaviest pieces we work with are normally under 200 pounds with the occasional 500 pounder.

Though tempting, to take something larger doesn't really fit in with our methods.

If we were picking half the tree at a whack or 6 to 10 foot saw logs I'd be looking at a 10 or 15 ton setup for sure.

The other factor that works to our advantage is that full boom extension is not something we'd have to do often. Most of the trees we work on are 60' or shorter. That allows for more wiggle room on boom angle.

Even if we only use it to position our climbers, I think is would be a great entry into trees and jobs we otherwise wouldn't be able to get into.
 
I think as soon as you see what options having a crane opens up for you, you will quickly regret the purchase. Just buy a 75' bucket truck, you'll get more use out of it, IMO.

best of luck no matter your decision.
 
Hey again!

Well, looks like it is a done deal and the price could not be beat. $2500 (that is twenty five hundred)

BB I suspect you are right in that we will mostly use it as a climber positioning rig but I really think it will make all the difference in getting into many of the unclimbable trees we have to pass on.

Gonna have to put together a man-cage for it!
 
you are screwing the rest of us in the industry........dont call that a crane. You will hurt someone or fock up big with that thing...

wait...2500? heck, you could sell it for scrap an make a buck or two
 
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Gonna have to put together a man-cage for it!

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Why? hang from the ball, much safer.

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Why is it safer? Could you elaborate on that?

This is likely a newbie question in the 'Crane Use' section...
Also a derail.
Sorry.
 
Those all seem like good reasons, thanks BB.
I guess I was mostly considering the point(s) of attchment - hanging from the ball vs cage attached to the boom.

again, sorry for the derail Rick
 
I was thinking a cage and being tied into the boom. Not for normal takedowns where the climber ties into the tree eventually but for doing stuff like hanging lights, trimming cedars, farting around with wireless transmitters and what not.

In those cases have them situated in the cage and tied into the boom. that would give them a much more stable base to work from. especially hedges.
 
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