Tips for Purchasing Compact Lifts for Tree Care Applications
Several factors go into the search for the perfect compact tracked lift for your tree care business. As this April 2018 Tree Care Industry Magazine article details, consider these specifications when selecting the right model for your business: Size and working height; operating system; diversity; and durability.
Assessing which models to purchase should take into consideration the tree company’s main focus: Is it removal, preservation, maintenance, or trimming? Lenny Polonski, of tracked lift provider All Access Equipment, recommends investing in the next size to allow flexibility for landing bigger, more profitable jobs.
Polanski also addresses training and proper setup. He urges buyers to receive thorough instruction on how to use a newly purchased lift, including how to enter the site and position the machine. All Access Equipment uses DICA’s SafetyTech Sliding Shoe Outrigger Pads, which are designed for equipment with multi-position, self-leveling outriggers, found on compact tracked lifts.
Sliding Shoe Outrigger Pads fit onto the outrigger feet and lock in place so that the outrigger pads are exactly where you need them when the outrigger foot engages with the ground. They allow outrigger feet to slide securely within the pad as each outrigger engages, which means less re-positioning for operators as the lift or crane is setup, improving safety and efficiency. In addition, stop blocks on the sides and ends of the outrigger pad securely hold the Sliding Shoe on the foot when driving the personnel lift or crane into position.
See here for an All Access Equipment video demonstrating the 83HD+ Arbor Pro and DICA SafetyTech Sliding Shoe Outrigger Pads. The entire video is excellent with DICA Sliding Shoe Pads first appearing at the 1:50 second mark.
“In tree care applications it’s often necessary to take advantage of multiple outrigger positions to set up compact tracked lifts on inclines or against obstructions. The ability to self-deploy makes Sliding Shoe Outrigger Pads an efficient solution for equipment setup, which will minimize crew fatigue,” says Kerry Koberg, DICA Strategic Accounts Manager.