Hello All!
We normally do additions and remodeling but have recently signed onto a large custom home project. The second floor is 32 ft x 16 inch I-joists on top of 10 foot studs and then a 12/12 roof. We’ve never used a forklift before as most of our projects are smaller and have limited access. The house is in the middle of a flat 5 acre field so it seems like a relatively safe place to learn but I’m still a little nervous. I’ve read some of the previous posts but no one seemed to address whether it was worth it if you don’t use one all the time. How’s the learning curve?
I can get one for about $1500 for two weeks – long enough to frame the second floor and roof and hopefully stock the roof. I’m sure Frenchy will be along shortly!
Eric
Replies
How about a Petibone?
Chuck S
Is that the "small" forks I see I on occasion? My local rental yard had one with only a 15 foot arm that was $100 less a week. That might be it. Doesn't seem worth it.
Eric
I am probably geezin', but I remember working on developements in the 70's that the mason was staged (non OSHA) on a rigged platform finishing and mud capping a chimney on a Pettibone (brick lift) that was 3+ stories.
Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood
Never used one, but bump.
Webby
Get on that runs on shellac...
:o)
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"After the laws of Physics, everything else is opinion"
-Neil deGrasse Tyson
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If Pasta and Antipasta meet is it the end of the Universe???
I was going to coat it in shellac to bring out it's natural beauty and then make invisible repairs on it!
I'm just kidding Frenchy - your insight would be great!
Eric
EricP
Well we all learn someplace.. it sounds like your site is a good place to learn..
Here's the facts,
First
Properly used telehandlers can save a great deal of time and money in construction.
A normal 4 man crew can usually work with a three man crew and still build in 20% less time.. Those aren't my numbers. Those are the conservative numbers of the hundreds of customers I sold telehandlers to over the past 17 years..
Second.. they are pretty self explaining. the steering wheel works just like a car, the brakes work like a car thransmission works like a car.
There are really only three things to learn..
How to operate the boom, how to operate the carriage and how to tilt the machine.. (more later)
There actually is a fourth learning to select the steering mode but simply have them put it in 4 wheel round steer and drive it that way to start.. crab steer and two wheel steer are a little more advanced..
(just for the record to change steering modes turn the front wheels straight ahead, then select the steering mode you want..
front wheel steering should only be used for highway driving
round steering is used for 98% of the work on the job site and crab steering simply helps you move sideways easier.
I no longer sell or rent telehandlers so please believe me I have no bias when I say this..
Ingersol Rand is the best, most stable machine there is..
Caterpillar is probably one of the worst..
(I've sold both)
All machines cost about the same price new (apples to apples) and rent for the same amount.. The dealership that sells them tends to have better deals than rental houses. Rent for as long a term as you think you will need to get the lowest price.
If you will need a machine for over a year look carefully at buying a good used one..
I've seen equipment a few years old in excellant shape sell for about what a years rent would be..
The dealership that rents to you should take the time to explain everything carefully. In addition it's required by law that there is an operators handbook with each machine.
Actually technically you can't use one without a license but I've never seen anyone check for a license.
EricP
OOPs I said I was going to add more later..
to operate the boom, virtuially all telehandlers operate this way
to raise the boom pull back on the stick to lower it push it forward.
to extend it tilt the stick away from you to retratct it tilt it towards you.
Tlting the carriage is usually done by pushing a button on the joystick and then pushing the joy stick forward to tilt the carriage down and backwards to tilt it up.
To side tilt the carriage some have another button to push and use the joystick others have buttons on the dash or elsewhere
(some stripped ones don't have that option)
Tire pressure is critical. check it every morning.. most need 75PSI
Best is foam filled tires, (don't be confused by calcium cloride filled tires which is just water ballest and leaks out easily if you drive over a nail)..
We've been using foklifts since 02. I would use one if I were you and negotiate hard to get a good rate. That should be possible since there isn't as much building going on.
Here are some pictures that might help you see how you can use it
http://picasaweb.google.com/PioneerBuildersInc
Timhuler,
I didn't actually see any pictures with forks. Was I looking in the wrong gallery? How long did it take to get the hang of using the forks? If I was a full time framer I think I would be all over it but I fear we'll stand around trying to figure how to do something when we could have just done it the old brute force way!
I'm trying to work smarter as I get older and this seems like a logical step and would cost almost exactly what an additional laborer would for those 2 weeks.
Eric
Eric,
If you have normal hand/eye coordination, you'll figure out how to operate that machine adequately in less than one hour, no sweat. Any previous skills learned on other equipment will make it easier, of course. Success at riding motorcyles is a good yardstick too.
Just make sure that the guys stay off the top plate, away from the load until you land it and back away. If you drop a load or otherwise shake the frame work, someone could easily fall off.
Eric,
Each of the galleries has quite a few pictures where the forklift is used http://picasaweb.google.com/PioneerBuildersInc Maybe I posted the wrong link.
I agree with Tim.
Insist on 1500 per month...maybe 800 for two weeks max.