thinking of a platform...

[Mr Ed]

I'm not a fan of platforms, but I'm thinking of buying a small truck mounted version -

I have about 2 miles of main road through a woodland to crown lift and dismantle all the overgrown saplings (now about 12 - 18" dia). The trees all sit atop a 10 foot high retaining wall too.

I know I can hire a spiderlift, but the hire cost would about pay for a 35 - 45ft truck mount. + I can do it without hiring in extra climbers.

 

I cant help but feel a bit guilty even thinking about it though

[blue]

well if it'll earn ya money and you can afford it i'd go for it

[A_lopa]

I could hire you mine Ed!

[Peter]

Buy it, do the job and then sell it on!

[Mr Ed]

Good point about selling it on.

I've actually been thinking about a combination chip / platform truck like the Yanks use - I think it would be more use than a straight platform truck.:?:

[A_lopa]

Having used them here Ed they are a P.I.T.A, but see for yourself if you must...

[Peter]

The problem with that is you could end up with a machine thats no good at either job. I think you'd have to go bigger than 7.5t to make it work, and do you really want to have a chip truck that has to be moved every 20 minutes when you reposition the platform?

Also, for road work, i like having a vehicle either side of the site to protect the workforce.

[Steve Bullman]

good points peter, specially the last one.

i saw the arb trucks at the AA that had chip boxes and platforms....they looked very nice but all truck body builders seem to forget the more junk you stick on a chassis the less payload you end up with.

best off a tool for each job

[madmatt]

I saw the Arb trucks at the trade fair and also at the SED construction show, at the latter it was on the platform providers stand who openly admitted the vehicle was a bit of a balls up as if you fill the chip box with chip you had no where to fold the platform up into! as the box was designed to be the travel position of the basket!

[Mr Ed]

Got one. Managed to get a 45ft platform on a low milage 4x4 dodge chassis. 4 outrigger base and roller shutter walk in tool box. Ex power co, so well maintained and little work done. Best bit, it cost me less than the hire was going to be