Replies

1. 
   jayzog | Oct 04, 2004 08:08pm | #1

   I bought a Skytrack though http://www.NLEQ.com . Take a look at them for comparable machines, to see if the price is right.

   The mistake I made with Lifts was renting one in the first place, spent $9000 in rentals before buying. I bought the Skytrack for 25k, used it for 18 months, then sold it for 22k. 

2. 
   Shoeman | Oct 04, 2004 08:52pm | #2

   Haven't seen Frenchy post around here in a long time.  Was hoping to see a response from him in this thread.  Would be nice to know how things are going on that timber frame of his.

   If I remember correctly Lulls were somewhere near the bottom of Frenchy's list when I talked to him about this out at his place one day.  Beleive he liked the Ingersol Rand units the best.  This is all just my foggy recollection from casual conversation that day I was at his house.  If you have any luck with search - you might be able to look up some of the old pictures I posted and see which one he had on site.  That was the ones he liked.

   Might have to do a little digging and see if I can find ole Frenchy's number and take a trip out to see how the cathederal looks these days.

1. 
   xMikeSmith | Oct 04, 2004 10:34pm | #3

   thanks , guys....

    i think frenchy is posting as FDAMPIERS now..but i haven't seen him...

   must be all those liberals driving him awayMike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   blue_eyed_devil | Oct 04, 2004 11:47pm | #4

   Hey Mike, I can now weigh in on this issue.

   We purchased a Skytrak this spring.  We started out renting it, and then applied the two months rent into a purchase.

   I'm not sure about the exact numbers, but we were close to 90k. We bought a 6042

   Thats 6000# lift and 42 reach.  We also bought three accessories. A 12' boom, a bucket and an articulating hydraulic attachment that allows us to swivel the forks 45 degrees (about 3k).

   Before I owned one, I felt that the Skytrak was too limited if you built in tight neighborhoods. I felt a crane was more versatile.

   I admit, I was wrong. We are using both now and my back feels line a million bucks...unless I do something stupid...which I am prone to do on occasion.

   Skytrak makes only skytraks. They don't make any other equipment. That in itself says something. They have technology that makes them less likely to tip (I've managed to raise my rear end, but was quick enough to reverse the load and avoid a big mess).

   A contractor buddy once told me that Skytrak was the only equipment that could legally lift humans according to OSHA. That was several years ago and the other might have caught up.

   That same buddy upgraded to a 6042 (used with 2000 hours) from a sumptin36. He says the little one floated better on mud, but was prone to tipping forward due to the smaller counterweight. He felt very confident about buying used because he claims that very little can go wrong, and most everything is easily fixed. I have to agree after using ours this summer.

   I seriously considered the 1054. If I was framing in small subs, that would be a good choice. I watched a guy frame every wall on "tables" then set them from the front using the 15' jib. I can do the table thing better because I have the crane onsite at all times. I chose the 6042 to save dollars.

   Rent one and give them a test run. Rent a Lulll too next month.

   Ps....we got a huge tax break this year (thanks GW). We were able to write off 80% of new equipment. There is a way to get a 100% tax writeoff this year too...hurry ...the loophole will be closing soon, if it isn't already closed.

   blue

   If you want to read a fancy personal signature...  go read someone else's post.

1. 
   jayzog | Oct 05, 2004 03:00am | #5

   Skytrack also makes Scattrack ( skidsteers). They are also owned by textron, the same co. that owns Lull. I also read recently Textron bought another lift co., but I cant remember which.

   I got my skytrack with 3200 hrs on it, added another 900 in 1½ yrs & never did anything but add 2 qurats of oil to the engine. Great machine!

3. 
   seeyou | Oct 05, 2004 03:15am | #6

   Hey Mike,

   Take a look at this:

   http://www.gradall.com/index.asp?src=/Excavators/home.html

   I was measuring up a roof where some guys were using one of these to frame across the street. They got done running cornice and dropped the basket down when a load of lumber arrived. Took them maybe 5 mins to disconnect the basket and hook up the forks. They unloaded the truck with the forks and 5 mins later were back up in the basket (which is controlled from the basket). Bought it for less than $80k new with forks and basket. Alumapole schlumapole - I want one of these.

   I wish I had invented this.

   
   

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   Edited 10/4/2004 9:20 pm ET by greencu