Seeking Information on SCISSOR // BOOM LIFTS, towable by tractor.

   / Seeking Information on SCISSOR // BOOM LIFTS, towable by tractor. #1  

jeff9366

Super Star Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2011
Messages
12,388
Location
Alachua County, North-Central Florida
Tractor
Kubota Tractor Loader L3560 HST+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3,700 pounds bare tractor, 5,400 pounds operating weight, 37 horsepower
I have about 1-1/2 miles of overgrown fence line. Most of the trees along the fence line are Oaks with overgrown branches reaching down to the ground.

With this post, I am starting research on Scissor or Boom Lift Work Platforms. Fifteen feet to twenty feet of lift will be ample for limb cutting. I am sixty-nine years old. I do not want anything improvised. I want a purpose built, STABLE, OSHA certified work platform which can be towed behind my 5,400 pound, 4-WD Kubota tractor.

Being safe while working is my primary concern. Price is less of a concern.

Do most of these units have battery powered hydraulic lift?

Can Lifts be stored outside, or do they need to be garaged?

Any Work Platforms designed to work off a tractor rear remote?

Do Lifts have fold-down stabilizers?


Land is flat. Land does have 'normal' field unevenness.

What else should I consider?
 
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   / Seeking Information on SCISSOR // BOOM LIFTS, towable by tractor. #2  
Re: Seeking Information on OSHA certified MAN LIFTS, which can be towed behind a trac

I have 3 rental places within 15 miles of my home that rent towable man lifts. Prices range from $135-200 per day for a 25-40' towable lift. I don't know of any that are powered off the tractor. They have 24V battery and gas powered lifts. I will be looking at a rental this spring for tree trimming also. I haven't asked about OSHA certified lifts but I'm pretty sure they all have an OSHA sticker on them.
Are you planning on buying or renting?
 
   / Seeking Information on SCISSOR // BOOM LIFTS, towable by tractor.
  • Thread Starter
#3  
Re: Seeking Information on OSHA certified MAN LIFTS, which can be towed behind a trac

Buying.

But at this moment I have no idea of price.
 
   / Seeking Information on SCISSOR // BOOM LIFTS, towable by tractor. #4  
Re: Seeking Information on OSHA certified MAN LIFTS, which can be towed behind a trac

I own a JLG T350 trailer mounted electro-hydraulic man-lift. It's perfect for tree trimming and many other high level uses. I have it certified every year or so in case I want to sell it. It has self leveling stabilizer outriggers. Easy to operate controls, and can go up 35' or more.

My primary use is mounting and servicing my antique farm windmills, but once you get up in the air with a chainsaw, you are hooked. I've also made a jib arm that goes onto the main boom. You can remove the basket, install the jib and run it from the ground.

Most equipment rental businesses around here have several to chose from. Even Home Depot. You can rent for 1/2 day, whole day, week or monthly. 15' is nothing. Going up 35' takes a shot of Jack.

There are quite a few videos on Youtube showing JLG, Nifty-Lift, and Bil-jax trailer boom lifts just like mine.
 
   / Seeking Information on SCISSOR // BOOM LIFTS, towable by tractor.
  • Thread Starter
#5  
   / Seeking Information on SCISSOR // BOOM LIFTS, towable by tractor. #6  
Re: Seeking Information on OSHA certified SCISSOR LIFTS, which can be towed by tracto

These are scissor lifts. They go straight up. Most have wheels too small to use on dirt. They don't rotate or extend. Try one out. You'll see. Good for changing light bulbs in a paved parking lot or getting inventory off of a shelf.

But that's why you rent first. To avoid a purchase mistake.
 
   / Seeking Information on SCISSOR // BOOM LIFTS, towable by tractor. #7  
Re: Seeking Information on OSHA certified SCISSOR LIFTS, which can be towed by tracto

These are scissor lifts. They go straight up. Most have wheels too small to use on dirt. They don't rotate or extend. Try one out. You'll see. Good for changing light bulbs in a paved parking lot or getting inventory off of a shelf.

But that's why you rent first. To avoid a purchase mistake.

In his first post he was asking about towable manlifts like yours and now has changed to scissor lifts. I agree that a scissor lift is not for rough terrain but for parking lots.
 
   / Seeking Information on SCISSOR // BOOM LIFTS, towable by tractor. #8  
Re: Seeking Information on OSHA certified SCISSOR LIFTS, which can be towed by tracto

I worked construction for many years and was in the air a lot.Never saw a scissor type lift that could go off concrete.Normaly they have small tires,no suspension;some do have out riggers.Saw some that would go 50ft.to work in airport hangers.
I would hire a pro tree trimmer with a bucket truck and be done with it.They trim our power lines every ten years or so.
 
   / Seeking Information on SCISSOR // BOOM LIFTS, towable by tractor. #9  
Re: Seeking Information on OSHA certified SCISSOR LIFTS, which can be towed by tracto

That's because scissor lifts can be had for under a few thousand bucks. A certified towable manlift will cost you $15k to $25k for a decent used one in 'safe' shape.
 
   / Seeking Information on SCISSOR // BOOM LIFTS, towable by tractor.
  • Thread Starter
#10  
I know nothing.

Put information in my brain.

There are some "all terrain" scissor lifts.

Scissor lifts are certainly cheaper than boom lifts.

Seems like most boom lifts go ~~~~WAY UP THERE~~~~ I only need to cut limbs about 15' above the ground, allowing a tractor to Bush Hog under tree canopy, close to the fence line.
 
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