Man Lift Engineering A70i

[I Stand Alone]

We are looking to purchase a A70i from Man Lift Engineering. It is one of the few if not the only 46Kv insulated units
http://www.manliftengineering.com/products/atrium/A70TD-46kV.htm

Has anyone flown one of these? anyone own one of these??

It is Very expensive but I really like the idea of an insulated unit.

Thanks
I Stand Alone

 

[Torin]

Have you seen one? They look a little fragile for tree work, sensors & other things that look like they could be damaged. Not a lot of side reach, unless you are almost full up. I do like that they are made in the U.S.

 

[I Stand Alone]

I am trying to get a test drive.

Made in US = Good
Dielectric = Good
Price = bad
Durability = untested?

We will see, I e-mailed the manufacturer this morning

 

[Torin]

Here's a tip, make sure the person bringing it out for a demo isn't afraid of heights.
Yes, I'm serious.

 

[Menchhofer]

We demoed that unit last year.

In our opinion, the upper and lower boom movements were unacceptable for tree work. Control functions operate at one at a time only.
Basket leveling was also very poor. Sometimes we felt we were close to falling out!!! And we were !!!

Guess you could say we were not impressed at all. More research and development is needed for this lift to work in our type of environment.

 

[Gerasimek]

I demoed one last year. I liked it. I think the benefits far out way the negatives.
Of course, it's not a bucket truck but, it goes about everywhere a bucket truck can't and will extend your season by getting you across soft yards long before your competitors trucks.
It is a little different to operate. I'm sure it would smooth out with experience. I remember my first time in a bucket. I thought I was going to eject myself before I got to cut the first limb off!
As for delicate- who cares. I never dropped anything on my bucket truck. I scratched it once but, I buffed it out.
I'm also looking into buying one. Let me know if you get it.
Gerasimek

 

[WellbuiltEquip]

An alternative to the manlift engineering tracked lifts is Teupen, there's a dealer right up in the East there too, Extreme Access.