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Santas Helper

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I found this bucket lift locally to ease in Christmas decorating. http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/grd/2706360307.html

I went to see it earlier today and to test it out. The trailer seems to be made with large sturdy "C" channel metal. It's a little beat up but cosmetic stuff from what I could see. The structure of the trailer seemed pretty stout over all.

The lift arms and bucket are in really good shape. The electric motor ran smooth and quiet and the arms didn't have a lot of slop or play while raising and lowering it. The hydraulic system seems good and no leaks from any lines/connections. As mentioned it has dual controls (bucket controls and ground controls). The lift operated really nice.

Here is what I was a little concerned about. It doesn't have much for stab support. No support legs that come out on each corner to stabilize and level the trailer/lift. Just poles at each corner with holes for adjustment (no leveling cranks). Would it seem easy enough to get a welding shop to add adjustable stabs with heavy duty leveling cranks on each corner?

He was asking $3,000 and I got him down to $2,300. With the lift/bucket assembly being in really good shape but no stabs on the trailer, do you think this is a good price? I plan to add the stabs.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts/inputs.

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Santas Helper wrote:

Here is what I was a little concerned about. It doesn't have much for stab support. No support legs that come out on each corner to stabilize and level the trailer/lift.
I would imagine you could get some of those "lift jacks" that they sell for campers on pickup trucks and weld those on...
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Jim, I will certainly check that out.

klb, I'll let you know either way.

The reason I see the price being inviting is because I just spent $270 to rent a lift this past weekend, had it an extra day (because of high winds) but they cut me a deal. So that is already over 10% of what this would cost. Then renting again to take it all down but possibly renting next weekend to make add-ons and/or adjusting. So I can't help but think spending $2,300 on this (plus a little more for stabilzation) wouldn't pay itself off in a few years.

I have a 30ft mega tree with lots of lights and last year I climbed it a dozen times during set-up and teardown. My knees aren't what they used to be now days. :P

A plus to this is other local Christmas decor guys (members from here and Planet Christmas) I know could benefit from it too.

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Are you kidding - go buy that sucker now !!! HA

I have to say that I would also give a nut for one of these too. Not getting any younger and it sure would make things faster and easier to do.

I can think of a few things that I could do with one as part of the display come to think of it.
Certainly seems like a good deal for it even with the expense of adding the stabs (which can only increase the resale value of it if you get a good job done on adding them).
I see a bucket lift santa in the display next year?

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Let me preface this by saying that I know nothing about this type of lift but there are a few things I would investigate before purchasing:
1. Maintenance Costs - How much does it cost per year to maintain? Hydraulic Fluid Change?
2. Liability Insurance - If you let others use it, how much will liability insurance cost you?
3. Major Repair Costs - What is the worst case scenario for a major repair?
4. Local Service - Where do you have to take it for repair
5. Life Expectancy and Past Usage - Was it rode hard and put away wet? How many more hours can you expect it to function before failure?

That being said... what a great Toy!

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I think $2300 sounds like a pretty good deal. If you decide to get it maybe looking at $2000 cash would get him down to 2K.

From what you have said about it already (pump sounds good, lift seems not to have much play). If hoses looked fairly good (no cracking or dry roting) I would jump on it.

The travel trailer tong jacks or even the stabilizing jacks (screw type jacks under the trailers) sounds like a good idea for each corner.


If you had one of these setting in your yard I bet you could find many uses for it. :cool:

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Redbirdruss wrote:

Let me preface this by saying that I know nothing about this type of lift but there are a few things I would investigate before purchasing:
1. Maintenance Costs - How much does it cost per year to maintain? Hydraulic Fluid Change? I have knowledge on maintenance of aircraft support equipment to this seems to be fairly easy to maintain myself and at a low cost.
2. Liability Insurance - If you let others use it, how much will liability insurance cost you? Good point. I'll want to keep that in mind.
3. Major Repair Costs - What is the worst case scenario for a major repair? Something worth looking into and using a few times a year, maybe this won't be too big of an issue.
4. Local Service - Where do you have to take it for repair. Again, I feel I can handle majority of repairs, but I've been surprised in the past too.
5. Life Expectancy and Past Usage - Was it rode hard and put away wet? How many more hours can you expect it to function before failure? In it's current state, it looks like it will help in Christmas decorating for many years to come.

That being said... what a great Toy! And I thank you for some valid thoughts/questions to think about or look at.


All that being said, I've pretty much decided I've got to get it. I did put down earnest money (deposit) so tomorrow I'll give her a new home and introduce her to the thousands of lights she will be tending to in the future.

Everybody's thoughts/inputs here has helped ease my decision.

Thank you!!!
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beeiilll wrote:

I see a bucket lift santa in the display next year?


the bucket lift Santa is now on my "bucket list" :)

Thanks!!!
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Owning a bucket lift is never a bad idea period. I've thought about buying one many many many times when we auction off our older models at work. The guy 2 houses down has had one for years and we have used it plenty of times from cleaning out gutters to cutting tree limbs and putting up new shutters. Back in April when the tornados ripped through our city I had 4 pine trees laying across my roof slowly crushing my house. Insurance company said they couldn't get any crews out due to all the roads blocked and could be weeks with all the damage in the area. Emergency services said pack up and get out. I decided hell no I'm not letting my house get crushed. Got the bucket truck out and started cutting piece by piece. Cleared the roof, laid down new plywood and shingles before the rain even had a chance to ruin anything but Sheetrock. Sorry such long post but point is there may very well come a time you will need it for more than Christmas lights and kick yourself for not buying it.

imagegevz.th.jpg

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Got one just like it. Works great, only problem was wear in the main gear assembly for turning. Needs to be made adjustable to allow for wear. If it works I would definitely buy it. Adding stabilizers to it a definite plus. We took ours and put it in a stake body truck.

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I say go for it! A lift is so much safer than a ladder and if you plan on decorating for years to come it's money well spent. Besides you never know what kind of "emergency " it will help with. ;)

Attached files 282244=15656-01-01-09_1632.jpg

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Tim Herberger wrote:

I say go for it! A lift is so much safer than a ladder and if you plan on decorating for years to come it's money well spent. Besides you never know what kind of "emergency " it will help with. :)


LOL, Tim, I couldn't help but laugh at what you said and the picture you provided (all in a good way of course). :D Very nice and full mega tree by the way. How many strands?

But you are right. And right now, I need one for an add-on to my mega tree. Got the bucket lift today and of course we have wind adviseries (again :X) today and windy tomorrow. But I need to check it all out with a dummy load before going up anyway. That and look at the aftermarket stabilizers that were installed.

I plan to put this thing to use for many years of Christmas decorating to come. I probably prolonged my decorating by another 20 years, not having to climb 30' two dozen times a year :P.
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Good decision, you won't regret having the lift. I think your right about extending the years of being able to decorate.

In 2008 a 75mph wind gust snapped the fiberglass flagpole in 3 places and the mega tree came tumbling down...To finish the last week and a half of the season I used the lift to hang the lights from. In that picture there are 28,800 lights, 3 colors using 48 channels with 600 lights per channel. From the ground to the top is 33' and with the star in place it is 36'. Here is a picture of the frame after the rebuild, I can't find one with the lights on it but can post one after I put them up.

Attached files 282352=15662-DSC06031.JPG

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Very nice Tim! And I didn't think of using the lift as a back-up like you did. Didn't even look to see if someone was on the lift or not.

Thanks for providing the pics and your input.

Tom

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I pay $250 for 4 days of rental (Fri-Sat-Sun till noon on Monday) on this bucket truck, he also delivers and picks up for that price, I can't complain about the price

Attached files 282852=15705-2001LightInstall.jpg

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PMC,

That is a good price under those terms. It amazes me in the pic of the size of that lift and no stabilizers. Looks to tip at any time but I'm glad that's not the case. I know they designed it to be safe or it wouldn't be on the market.

I had mine rented for Friday evening thru Monday morning for $160 but had to keep it later because of the winds Saturday and Sunday. SO it cost more than what you got yours for. Good job!!!

Thanks for your input and pic.

Edit: nice big tree too!!!

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