Replies

1. 
   Keith_C | Dec 10, 2001 04:39am | #1

   *
   Great if you have the room, we hardly ever do and get buy on all the rest with a Bobcat with forks, that and use the crane wisely when he comes. Rent one for a job or two before you lease/buy to make sure.

1. 
   mike_westerfield | Dec 10, 2001 04:41am | #2

   *We are a residential rough in company with 7 full time guys, two of wich are laborers. I've noticed alot of the rough in crews in our area are using lift trucks called skytraks. I talked to one about it and they said if you consider the cost of a laborers wage and tax liability, not to mention work comp, this machine is cheaper. Imagine, you can lift 6000 lbs. up to 36 feet. It would make sheeting a roof or second story floor a breeze. Any advice. By the way a good used machine is around $35,000. A loan for 36 months and you are looking at around $950 a month. Seems like a good deal.

1. 
   mike_westerfield | Dec 10, 2001 04:42am | #3

   *Keith, you are quick, I didnt even get the body of my message included before you responded. Thanks for your input. Trying to figure this site out.

1. 
   John_Lazaro | Dec 10, 2001 06:43am | #4

   *I agree that it's a great decision in a labor market where it's hard tp find good help. I've got a Case 586e 4X4 forklift that I love. I bought it 2 years ago from Hertz rental for 26k. You need to decide whether you want straight mast or shooting boom. Shooting boom machines are usually bigger, more expensive, and require more room to maneuver. Depends on your needs. Good luck,John

1. 
   Phill_Giles | Dec 10, 2001 09:25am | #5

   *Well ....... I suppose you already have a big float and something that will tow it ? If not, you have to figure in float charges. Got somewhere to park it when you're not using it ? How about maintenence, do you have a hydrulics guy or will that be a maint contract ? Insurance ? And these are basically a start in the morning and the last guy who leaves turns it off proposition; that's a lot of #2 fuel. Do you need a license to operate one where you are ?Make no mistake, I like these toys; but, it's takes some thought.

2. 
   Scott_R | Dec 12, 2001 12:51am | #6

   *Before going on my own I worked on a small crew that owned a brand spankn' new lift. Sure came in handy for things like setting huge Andersons in a second story, lifting a pallet of shingles to the roof, etc. Since it was mostly the owner's son and I day in and day out, we were able to get jobs done that would have required a few more sets of hands.But that's what I liked about working for this guy. He had ALL the toys. Bulldozer, Excavator, Front end loader, Not to mention a shop and wood working tools that would make Norm Abram happy. A lot of the stuff he owned was "nice to have" but not necessary. I would seriously question the profitability of such an investment unless it was being used everyday in a high production framing operation. Such as putting up a tract of houses where it doesn't need to be transported to keep it busy,Scott R.

3. 
   Keith_C | Dec 12, 2001 02:21am | #7

   *Scott...I don't remember you ever working for me. You must be confused. And those are not toys, those are my necessary and needed equipment. That is and always has been my story and I am sticking to it.

4. 
   jim_at_great_white | Dec 12, 2001 08:04am | #8

   *i I try using a crane for all the lifting and major material relocation. Costs about $125 an hour and I usuall use about an hour or two a week on a typical frame job. This is about six to eight hundred a month or about seven thousand a year. The crane company maintains the crane, supplies qualified operater, transports to and from the job, insures the machime. I think it'd be nice to have alift all the time,but, the rented crane seems much more affordable .jim

5. 
   Scott_R | Dec 13, 2001 06:17pm | #9

   *Keith, LOL!I suppose you use the same excuse that my former employer used on his wife to justify a new purchase. "If I buy this I can get more done and be home sooner".Jokingly I said that within earshot of his wife too. He was showing me all the brochures for one of these lifts Mike is asking about, and I said "Just think Terry if you buy this..." If looks could kill. "I've heard that before" she said.Sorry Mike to stray from the topic.

2. 
   mike_westerfield | Dec 13, 2001 06:22pm | #10

   *