Anyone use a jlg boomlift to take a tree down? I'm assuming it has been done before. Not much different than a bucket truck I guess? Anything to watch out for when using one besides the obvious, like limb crashing into the boom. I have a pretty massive tree I need to remove from my one property. No pictures right now but I'll be back there by this weekend to take some.
Check out this thread: Walnut removal Buddy of mine rented one to take down a big walnut in his yard.
Perfect thank you for linking. It is exactly like I pictured it would go. Some of the branches I have to drop are as big as a trunk. I have a garage and a giant ham aerial I need to deal with but no houses. The garage roof is a complete write off so no worries on that, just don't want to damage the block walls. The aerial I'd rather not damage but I'll see how that goes. I don't like heights anymore myself but it has to be done and I don't have the change to pay anyone either. Money saved there can go to replacing the garage roof.
Those things are very heavy...don't try to use it until the ground is solid, you will find out how hard they are to extract from the mud, unless you have some heavy equipment at your disposal...most of the JLG's are 4x4, but they will still bury themselves in a heartbeat, due to weight, and very low speed. I used my neighbors to put my chimney liner in, it left 6-8" deep ruts in the yard in the middle of the summer when it was almost drought conditions!
Considering what it costs to rent, haul one in/out, liability for damage, is it that far off from hiring it out?
The JLG 860SF I just hauled from Nashville to Minneapolis was 38,000 lbs. the 1350 I hauled put me over 100,000 gross weight. But that’s also a 135’ reach too. I would NOT want to get one of that’s stuck. they’re not hard to learn to run, but I’d definitely have United Rental let you operate in their yard and get you training if it’s your first time. these things will toss you very quickly like a catapult if you’re not careful
We used them all the time at my old job...the 135' was the biggest one I've ever used...that's high enough, especially when you're working out over at 30' drop off to boot (so 160'+ down!) it gets real "interesting" when you are tugging on a 2.5" wrench with all your weight/might and boom at full extension! (about 3' of sway!) I wouldn't run one without wearing a harness, and tied in...like you said, those things will turn you into a ping pong ball, or a high speed projectile, in a heartbeat!
I do recall the driver saying that machine he had to get a permit/etc to haul...IIRC he said the 80' (85?) was the biggest one w/o permit.
United rental and duke aerial are the two companies we seem to carry the most for if you’re looking for a rental.
Good info on the weight, No date set on when I will do this but I'll plan it for a dry stretch if possible. I'm not too worried about my yard. I have other trees to take down before I can get the jlg into position and it will all be the wood lot in the end. I have to swing a service upgrade first
You might consider one of the spider lifts on tracks if any of the rental outfits near you have them they were designed for tree removals and they work well and are low impact two of my customers have them one is 95 ft the other is 75 ft JB
How tall is your tree? I've rented the tow behind truck ones... I think 45' and maybe like a 70 footer before ... I've done it 3 times and its not that bad after you learn to trust it...Heights arent my favorite things..... I know buZZsaw BRAD and jtstromsburg has also rented these before... a Quick search you might be able to find them... If not I'll try to look today for them... The drop angle and the break angle of a branch is the hardest thing to judge till you get it figured out...
I found them, they call them an atrium lift and my cheeks puckered when I saw the rental price for one of those. The place I planned on renting from wants 2700 a day for one of those! I agree, it is better suited. Can't swing that for a day though. I am not sure on the height, I'd estimate its taller than 70 feet. I have to eye it better. I am hoping I can make the 60 foot lift work since there isn't anything to really worry about under the tree.
