On various projects, the boom rental is getting expensive. The month long rental was like $1500 last year, and you’re always rushing to get everything done while you’ve got it.
Considering buying a used model. Looking for WAG estimates on how much you think a boom lift would run in yearly maintenance?
Maybe somewhere around 1997 with 1k hours, 40′-ish, 4wd, diesel, either telescopic or articulating. Pics below are just for illustration.
What are your thoughts? Are we better off renting them at $50-ish/day, or buying one?
jt8
It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. –Chinese proverb
Replies
Remember to factor in the cost of moving and storing a lift that you own.
Considering buying a used model.
Might be a good thing. There are some good buys out there.
Just don't forget the incidentals, like you're going to need a pretty stout trailer for the lift, and soemthing to pull the combo, too. The trailer will need registration, for an dditional cost, and the towing will incur additional maintence on the tow vehicle(s).
That's all part of the cost for the rental--it becoems part of your business expense, too.
The batteries/charging system seem to be what gets the least attention in practice--so that's something to have checked over before purchase. You'll want to price tires and hydraulic fluid, as both will be in your future.
That being said, I'm not a huge fan of the articulated units--I've had some bad experiences with the Jcb. But I will except the tow-behind Genie TMZ-50s, they are right handy for what they can do (which is limited, but within those limits, they're really good).
I'd suggest that you find out what the mfgr's suggested maintenance schedule is and start from there. Depending on the age/condition of the unit add another SWAG for breakdown repairs.
My advise is to rent. I purchased a nearly new Genie 65' stick boom with a jib, which I think is the best of both worlds. It turned out to have so many problems, they took it back. I had a brand new JLG rented ( no one else had used it) and the engine oil all leaked out. I noticed it in time to stop the motor, thankfully. Every time I start to buy a boom, I need a larger, smaller, articulating, straight, whatever configeration, than what I was gonna buy. I've probably rented 50 different booms and 48 of them broke down if I had them longer than a week. Anything over 40' requires a semi to move it.
I'd keep renting, unless you know exactly which type and size of boom you're going to need for the next five years and have someplace to keep it when you're not using it.
edit: by the way, if you buy from a rental company, which is who you need to service it, you suddenly become less of a priority than rental customers.
STOP, DROP, ..............ROCK 'N' ROLL
Edited 5/12/2005 6:12 pm ET by greencu
John,
I rent them when needed. $ 50-ish a day?? Sounds like a bargain to me! + leave the headaches with someone else! " It's broke - come an' get it! "
!!! $50 @ day.Man we pay $600 @ week here in WV and that one would get stuck on nightcrwlers and i had to tow it around the house with my truck.
Rental plas(RSC) brought a brand new one to town for a guy to work on the restoration of the train depot.Now what would u think would be the major thing to watch out for in working on a RR station.?Duh!! these guys had it set up and it got hit by a CSX coal train! Just about killed the guy in the bucket and totalled the lift.
Watch what the big guys do. Almost all the biggies, who may own tons of cranes, rt and standard forklifts, etc. rent boom lifts. Why? I think that there are some OSHA mandated service requirements that would necessitate specialized training. Could be a PITA.
If I can throw my two cents in here...
I would have to agree with what McMark said. I work for a large industrial contractor doing about $85 million a year in jobs. Almost every job has some need for lifts. Asking our tool center why we don't own our own elicits the same response that most have said here: "the maintenance, upkeep and transportation costs are enormous and can never accurately be figured." It is more cost efficient to build the rental cost into the bid and know your costs including all the servicing and delivery from the beginning. After working alongside the biggest construction company in the state (WI), I am realizing most large companies are the same. They will have a $2.5 million dollar crane in the inventory but not a single lift. Just too much headache to fix/service/transport.
Guess I was just tired of the hassle of renting. You pretty much gotta have a good sized project to make it worth while, and once it shows up the clock starts and you gotta work like a dog to maximize your time. Whereas an on site all the time one you could bring out for any little thing and not be rushed.
But it seems the consensus is that renting might be a better way to go (there goes the excuse to buy a heavy-duty car carrier). You guys have more experience than I do, so I'll go with the consensus on this one (unless a REALLY good deal comes along).
Thanks for all the feedback. You probably saved us several thousand $$ in headaches.jt8
It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. --Chinese proverb
If I'm not mistaken, there are a number of folks around here that own Lull's (or similar job-site forklifts). They're more versatile, though, and are more likely to be used daily from end-to-end on a job.
Those Lulls look neat. That would also hoist the drywall/plywood up to the 2nd/3rd story window or shingles up to the roof. BUT... we're often working in groups of one. Wouldn't a Lull require someone on the ground at the controls while the worker bee is on the platform?jt8
It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. --Chinese proverb
I have an ancient JCB it is only used around the house. I spend as much time trying to get it to work as I do using it. I did not pay alot for it and its handy. I bought it from a steel erector that could not use it on jobs as it would not comply with osha. I need a lowboy trailer to transport it as it weighs over 16,000 lbs.
If I needed one for a job renting would be wiser than owning.
You pretty much gotta have a good sized project to make it worth while
Well, yes and no. In renovation work, you can make an argument that they are better than staging/scaffolding, even at a larger up-front cost. That may seem contradictory, but consider that a lift means not having to anchor staging into an existing house. It limits soem of the risk from climbing/carrying materials up staging, too.
The one thing I particularly like about alift for remo/addition work over scaffolding is that it's not there when you're not--keeping the kids/clients out of the air over a construction site where they are not used to being.
It's also cool for giving the customers a bird's eye view of their new project.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Just me..
Can you not 'Write off' the rental as a business expense?
NO I do not know.. Just a question...
Yes, the rental fees are "writable" as a business expense, so would the purchase and maintainance costs if a lift was purchased. Obviously, one must be working "on the books" to write anything!
I know because my accountant tells me so and I've never been audited!