aerial trucks

treevet · 8th October 2008, 02:09 PM

Love to hear some chatter on truck mounted buckets. They used to called MATs or mobile aerial towers (bucket trucks, cherry pickers). I have my opinions but have many questions I can only answer by listening or buying another one.

Since the former is much cheaper, what about; single bucket or 2 man, over center lower, upper, both, or none,......1 scabbard hanging or 2 or none....small one that is 50 footish or big one 70 ish, what stuff do you keep on floor or in container, hydraulic tools, preference of make or model, material handler or non, etc. etc.

I think a material handler is great but much heavier and hard on lawns. Are they slower. I have a smaller and a big picker. The small one fits in tight spots and is much faster, but, wow, when the big one is needed, it really earns its keep.

Diesel or gas. Forestry body (chip box) or tool boxes or flat bed. Rear mount or center mount.

I especially would like some feed back on the material handler. Seems like it would be real hard on the turret. Also seems like a huge price would be paid for tipping in contrast to a crane where there is no big fall and fly swatter effect (you being the fly). On truck booms you can just jump off and run away if tipped over.

How do you attach (if at all) yourself to the unit in case of tipping or slipping.

TrevMcRev · 8th October 2008, 07:56 PM

Could you be more specific???

Sorry, can't help, don't own one and only hire em in for specific jobs.

Steve Tipton · 8th October 2008, 09:31 PM

Not familiar with some of the US terminology here.
I have a 75' Abbey knuckle boom with telescopic top jib and a 78' GMJ knuckle boom with tele. Also have acces to a 42' telescopic mounted on a small Mitsubisi canter, great fo driveways and tight access sites.
Forestry units with chip box are not common in Australia, but there are a few about

Drouin Tree Service · 8th October 2008, 09:44 PM

Nice towers quintrex,used a gmj 78' the other day. nice!

Steve Tipton · 8th October 2008, 09:50 PM

Got photos, but can't get the bastards on!

Steve Tipton · 8th October 2008, 09:54 PM

I hope this works, I am a failure as a geek.

Drouin Tree Service · 8th October 2008, 09:57 PM

Nice id really like one!!Like GMJs

Steve Tipton · 8th October 2008, 10:11 PM

The Abbey's are good too, as were the Cranvels in there day.

All make for an easier time than climbing!

treevet · 8th October 2008, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quintrex

I hope this works, I am a failure as a geek.

Me too!

I do have NewGuy following me around and cleaning up after me , and I've been meaning to drop him a small check in the mail.

I am thinking you guys (blokes?......Not wankers!

) call these "knucklebooms"? We generally refer to knucklebooms as lifting devices that are truck mounted.

When you rent one Trev, what are you looking for and would you buy one? We have a lot of electrical company surplus around here that drives the price down. They can be dialectically tested and, structurally tested I suppose.

Nice picts Quint and Lopa and I have a big one like these (what height are they?), but they tend to be slower and harder to fit and man, you def. don't want to do any lawn riding on them unless a very short distance and it is boarded. I generally take 4x8 by 3/4 inch and cut them in half and make a road. This a huge PIA. Some guys buy the metal ones....big $.

What do you mean by telescope out? Do these 2 pictured units telescope?

willem · 9th October 2008, 07:20 AM

This is a device developed by a dutch arborist company. it's remote controlled and can also be fitted by a bucket. Driving speed 45 km/h .
Maximum lift 500 kilo full length, 3300 kilo close by.

Not a bucket truck but a very handy tool

treevet · 9th October 2008, 07:41 AM

That is sharp Willem. Looks like the outriggers should be down in that second picture? That is a huge tree/limb in the first pict. Does it cable down or does he just set the butt down, aim it, and release and let her fly?

Remote control....great.

willem · 9th October 2008, 08:22 AM

You have a lot of control with the woodclamp. It can turn and move up and down. They made it remote control because with a machine like this the goverment says you have to control the driving in the bucket. It's not allowed to have a someone in the cabine doing the driving while there are also people in the bucket.

treevet · 9th October 2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willem

You have a lot of control with the woodclamp. It can turn and move up and down. They made it remote control because with a machine like this the goverment says you have to control the driving in the bucket. It's not allowed to have a someone in the cabine doing the driving while there are also people in the bucket.

Can someone be in the tree taking sections while the crane op is clamping and then booming away the piece standing safely away with the remote?

newguy18 · 9th October 2008, 04:07 PM

Can't really say,never used one,the closet i've gotten is a bucket one the front of a massey ferguson tractor.20' max height.

Hey, if i had to climb everything i worked on today i'd be whipped until tommorow at this time.

willem · 10th October 2008, 05:22 AM

Yes a climber could control the machine or a groundie. Of course you cann't have the clamp and the bucket on at the same time.
I found some more pictures at their website Home

treevet · 10th October 2008, 06:39 AM

is it 2 wheel steer or 4 wheel steer? either way very sharp, compact, capable unit.

willem · 10th October 2008, 08:07 AM

I thought these machines are always 4 wheel steer.

TrevMcRev · 10th October 2008, 08:14 AM

Wow! Willem, that is a fantastic unit there, i see alot of use for that, far more for me than a regular EWP.

TrevMcRev · 10th October 2008, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treevet

When you rent one Trev, what are you looking for and would you buy one? We have a lot of electrical company surplus around here that drives the price down. They can be dialectically tested and, structurally tested I suppose.

I rent different machines for different types of jobs to best suit our needs.
Most often its a self propelled mobile unit rather than a truck mounted one.
That way we dont pay extra for an operator.

Most of my work is residential in the inner city/built up suburbia, rarely would there be the access for a truck to get to any of the trees we do. We dont do much on a big open block other than some park/school type jobs.

I feel like i really would need about 3 or 4 different machines to regularly be able to use one, and i'd hate to buy just one and not be able to get to most jobs with it.

So for access reasons if i had to buy just one, it would be compact unit like a spider lift.

treevet · 10th October 2008, 12:14 PM

Those porta lifts are nice. Most of the work I do every day of the week is in the city suburbs but they are tight spots in a very hilly village. There are very expensive landscapes and homes that even a slight mishap will destroy the profit I am counting on. So I don't make ANY mistakes.

I prefer day to day a 55 ft working ht. truck mounted one elbow bucket truck.
I like the 2 man bucket so I can store some wood in there when nec. and I can have a small and a big saw in there at times in hanging scabbards. I could own any unit I wanted at this time in my life but I currently have a 1990 GMC truck with a 1973 Hi Ranger re-mount that was owned by a nearby municipality. It is fast and light and, believe it or not, technology isn't much better now. Units that move over center on both booms have more reach sideways but IMO they are heavier and that takes away a huge advantage my stripped down unit has in lawn riding. I chopped off all the tool boxes.

I can take down 80 to 90 foot trees with this truck as I will butt hitch 30 or more feet of limb over head or out sideways on a double braid lanyard and then carve it up while it is hanging in a safe drop area. Trees you could never imagine being removed without extremely time consuming rigging and lowering can be removed without lowering one branch. I have become quite successful because of this and other time saving procedures.

I just love to hear how others go about their business too, and are successful entrepreneurs.

treevet · 10th October 2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomson2008

CUES, Inc. also has unparalleled service capabilities. Relying on decades of experience installing new aerial, crane, and truck equipment, CUES has a working knowledge of equipment that others don’t have. Our service department inspects, tests, and repairs hundreds of vehicles on a yearly basis and can provide you with the benefits of our experience.
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What a great business to be in. Wish there was something like that around here. We have hydraulic services but often you have to tell them what is wrong and how to fix it as they are just gaining history with these trucks and llifts.

I once bought a nice chipper from a company called ESSCO in New York suburbia. Are they near you? You should consider advertising with EKKa on the forum.

Ace Master · 13th October 2008, 06:15 PM

Quintrex thats a clean looking GMJ bucket

willem thats a great set-up

crane then bucket truck.

Our fleet of bucket trucks start at 8m and goes right up to our new 60m

Thats right 200ft, with a side reach of 90ft.
I post some pictures.

cheers
Ace

Drouin Tree Service · 13th October 2008, 07:32 PM

Was hoping to see your towers Ace!! Bet the insurance was paid to be near the water like that!

My tower could be one of your old ones!!!Got any for sale??

treevet · 13th October 2008, 10:56 PM

Nice trucks Lopa and Ace. 200 ft. and 90 ft. side reach, very impressive. Looks like you're all the way out and still have 40 ft. of tree up top. Time to get out and climb, blow the top out or rig?

Ace Master · 14th October 2008, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treevet

Nice trucks Lopa and Ace. 200 ft. and 90 ft. side reach, very impressive. Looks like you're all the way out and still have 40 ft. of tree up top. Time to get out and climb, blow the top out or rig?

treevet,

Got a picture of the two tower up together, one at 100ft and other 200ft

cheers
Ace

Eric Frei · 14th October 2008, 07:24 PM

Some how that picture in the middle of a paddock doesn't do justice, simply nothing to compare the height to.

Think you need to do that pic near a "well known" high landmark, think buildings, bridges, flag poles etc.

TrevMcRev · 14th October 2008, 07:27 PM

That is C.R.A.Z.Y

Do you do hire down in the 'burbs. PM me some rates.

treevet · 14th October 2008, 09:57 PM

That is amazing that 200 footer. What is even more amazing is that there are trees that are way over that unit (Redwoods, Giant sequoia, etc).

You know we are always on the track to outsmart and out learn and out credential our bottom feeding hack competitor adversaries, but, like Ace (and I am hoping somewhat myself) .....another good way is to out-EQUIPMENT them.

We just got hit with a hurricane a few weeks ago. Bottom feeders were all over the place for a few days but they were all gone soon and getting the big trees off the houses stuck in the roofs was left to a select few.

Ace Master · 15th October 2008, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrevMcRev

That is C.R.A.Z.Y

Do you do hire down in the 'burbs. PM me some rates.

TrevMcRev,

We hire all over town, tower height starts at a 8m ute, truckmounted 12m teles,14m,16m,19m,24m,30m,40m,50m and last 60m.

cheers
Ace

Steve Tipton · 14th January 2009, 05:32 PM

Tree vet,
here are some pictures of my 75" Abbey.
Hope they come thru ok.
Steve

8th October 2008, 02:09 PM	#1
treevet Monument Status Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Posts: 2,119	aerial trucks Love to hear some chatter on truck mounted buckets. They used to called MATs or mobile aerial towers (bucket trucks, cherry pickers). I have my opinions but have many questions I can only answer by listening or buying another one. Since the former is much cheaper, what about; single bucket or 2 man, over center lower, upper, both, or none,......1 scabbard hanging or 2 or none....small one that is 50 footish or big one 70 ish, what stuff do you keep on floor or in container, hydraulic tools, preference of make or model, material handler or non, etc. etc. I think a material handler is great but much heavier and hard on lawns. Are they slower. I have a smaller and a big picker. The small one fits in tight spots and is much faster, but, wow, when the big one is needed, it really earns its keep. Diesel or gas. Forestry body (chip box) or tool boxes or flat bed. Rear mount or center mount. I especially would like some feed back on the material handler. Seems like it would be real hard on the turret. Also seems like a huge price would be paid for tipping in contrast to a crane where there is no big fall and fly swatter effect (you being the fly). On truck booms you can just jump off and run away if tipped over. How do you attach (if at all) yourself to the unit in case of tipping or slipping.

8th October 2008, 07:56 PM	#2
TrevMcRev Mature Tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 1,594	Re: aerial trucks Could you be more specific??? Sorry, can't help, don't own one and only hire em in for specific jobs.

8th October 2008, 09:31 PM	#3
Steve Tipton Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 821	Re: aerial trucks Not familiar with some of the US terminology here. I have a 75' Abbey knuckle boom with telescopic top jib and a 78' GMJ knuckle boom with tele. Also have acces to a 42' telescopic mounted on a small Mitsubisi canter, great fo driveways and tight access sites. Forestry units with chip box are not common in Australia, but there are a few about __________________ Heightmaster

8th October 2008, 09:44 PM	#4
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,727	Re: aerial trucks Nice towers quintrex,used a gmj 78' the other day. nice! Attached Thumbnails __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

8th October 2008, 09:50 PM	#5
Steve Tipton Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 821	Re: aerial trucks Got photos, but can't get the bastards on! __________________ Heightmaster

8th October 2008, 09:57 PM	#7
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,727	Re: aerial trucks Nice id really like one!!Like GMJs __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

8th October 2008, 10:11 PM	#8
Steve Tipton Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 821	Re: aerial trucks The Abbey's are good too, as were the Cranvels in there day. All make for an easier time than climbing! __________________ Heightmaster

9th October 2008, 07:20 AM	#10
willem Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: the netherlands Posts: 187	Re: aerial trucks This is a device developed by a dutch arborist company. it's remote controlled and can also be fitted by a bucket. Driving speed 45 km/h . Maximum lift 500 kilo full length, 3300 kilo close by. Not a bucket truck but a very handy tool

9th October 2008, 07:41 AM	#11
treevet Monument Status Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Posts: 2,119	Re: aerial trucks That is sharp Willem. Looks like the outriggers should be down in that second picture? That is a huge tree/limb in the first pict. Does it cable down or does he just set the butt down, aim it, and release and let her fly? Remote control....great.

9th October 2008, 08:22 AM	#12
willem Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: the netherlands Posts: 187	Re: aerial trucks You have a lot of control with the woodclamp. It can turn and move up and down. They made it remote control because with a machine like this the goverment says you have to control the driving in the bucket. It's not allowed to have a someone in the cabine doing the driving while there are also people in the bucket.

9th October 2008, 04:07 PM	#14
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: orlando,fl Posts: 4,948	Re: aerial trucks Can't really say,never used one,the closet i've gotten is a bucket one the front of a massey ferguson tractor.20' max height.Hey, if i had to climb everything i worked on today i'd be whipped until tommorow at this time. __________________ Have your say join us today. old schooler

10th October 2008, 05:22 AM	#15
willem Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: the netherlands Posts: 187	Re: aerial trucks Yes a climber could control the machine or a groundie. Of course you cann't have the clamp and the bucket on at the same time. I found some more pictures at their website Home

10th October 2008, 06:39 AM	#16
treevet Monument Status Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Posts: 2,119	Re: aerial trucks is it 2 wheel steer or 4 wheel steer? either way very sharp, compact, capable unit.

10th October 2008, 08:07 AM	#17
willem Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: the netherlands Posts: 187	Re: aerial trucks I thought these machines are always 4 wheel steer.

10th October 2008, 08:14 AM	#18
TrevMcRev Mature Tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 1,594	Re: aerial trucks Wow! Willem, that is a fantastic unit there, i see alot of use for that, far more for me than a regular EWP.

10th October 2008, 12:14 PM	#20
treevet Monument Status Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Posts: 2,119	Re: aerial trucks Those porta lifts are nice. Most of the work I do every day of the week is in the city suburbs but they are tight spots in a very hilly village. There are very expensive landscapes and homes that even a slight mishap will destroy the profit I am counting on. So I don't make ANY mistakes. I prefer day to day a 55 ft working ht. truck mounted one elbow bucket truck. I like the 2 man bucket so I can store some wood in there when nec. and I can have a small and a big saw in there at times in hanging scabbards. I could own any unit I wanted at this time in my life but I currently have a 1990 GMC truck with a 1973 Hi Ranger re-mount that was owned by a nearby municipality. It is fast and light and, believe it or not, technology isn't much better now. Units that move over center on both booms have more reach sideways but IMO they are heavier and that takes away a huge advantage my stripped down unit has in lawn riding. I chopped off all the tool boxes. I can take down 80 to 90 foot trees with this truck as I will butt hitch 30 or more feet of limb over head or out sideways on a double braid lanyard and then carve it up while it is hanging in a safe drop area. Trees you could never imagine being removed without extremely time consuming rigging and lowering can be removed without lowering one branch. I have become quite successful because of this and other time saving procedures. I just love to hear how others go about their business too, and are successful entrepreneurs.

13th October 2008, 06:15 PM	#22
Ace Master Mature tree Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Australia, Vic, Melbourne Posts: 385	Re: aerial trucks Quintrex thats a clean looking GMJ bucket willem thats a great set-upcrane then bucket truck. Our fleet of bucket trucks start at 8m and goes right up to our new 60m Thats right 200ft, with a side reach of 90ft. I post some pictures. cheers Ace Attached Thumbnails __________________ Website: The Mt Dandenong Ranges Tree Specialists YouTube: Ace Tree Master Last edited by Ace Master; 13th October 2008 at 06:50 PM.

13th October 2008, 07:32 PM	#23
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,727	Re: aerial trucks Was hoping to see your towers Ace!! Bet the insurance was paid to be near the water like that! My tower could be one of your old ones!!!Got any for sale?? Attached Thumbnails __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

13th October 2008, 10:56 PM	#24
treevet Monument Status Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Posts: 2,119	Re: aerial trucks Nice trucks Lopa and Ace. 200 ft. and 90 ft. side reach, very impressive. Looks like you're all the way out and still have 40 ft. of tree up top. Time to get out and climb, blow the top out or rig?

14th October 2008, 07:24 PM	#26
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,986	Re: aerial trucks Some how that picture in the middle of a paddock doesn't do justice, simply nothing to compare the height to. Think you need to do that pic near a "well known" high landmark, think buildings, bridges, flag poles etc. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

14th October 2008, 07:27 PM	#27
TrevMcRev Mature Tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 1,594	Re: aerial trucks That is C.R.A.Z.Y Do you do hire down in the 'burbs. PM me some rates.

14th October 2008, 09:57 PM	#28
treevet Monument Status Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Posts: 2,119	Re: aerial trucks That is amazing that 200 footer. What is even more amazing is that there are trees that are way over that unit (Redwoods, Giant sequoia, etc). You know we are always on the track to outsmart and out learn and out credential our bottom feeding hack competitor adversaries, but, like Ace (and I am hoping somewhat myself) .....another good way is to out-EQUIPMENT them. We just got hit with a hurricane a few weeks ago. Bottom feeders were all over the place for a few days but they were all gone soon and getting the big trees off the houses stuck in the roofs was left to a select few.

14th January 2009, 05:32 PM	#30
Steve Tipton Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 821	Re: aerial trucks Tree vet, here are some pictures of my 75" Abbey. Hope they come thru ok. Steve __________________ Heightmaster

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