I would PM some of the guys on here with the certain lift you are considering, that way any pro`s & con`s could be discussed in private, some have purchased these lifts then bragged the hell outta em, now only to realize the real pros & cons they might not wanna admit publicly!!!
LXT......................
i may be "one of those guys" . Still think its the greatest thing since sliced bread, however, I wish they didn't price gouge on parts and I wish they were a bit more reliable for tree work. They can price gouge because there is only one parts supplier in the US, so you have no other choice than to pay.
Ive had a fair share of minor problems with sensors, joysticks and other electrical BS. Always seems to happen when Im up atleast 70ft and I have to radio down to my ground guys to work the ground controls so we can finish the job.
Right now I have a bad relay switch(which they wont sell me by itself) in one of the outriggers and Im waiting for it to get here. This effects automatic leveling. Had a job on a hillside when we discovered this issue and couldnt level the machine because of this. Machine was loaded back on the trailer and out came the climbing gear. Pisses you off when you got 5 guys standing around watching you curse at your $120k lawn ornament.
Last week a track stopped moving because there was sawdust in the joystick. Took apart the control panel. sprayed contact electrical contact cleaner and the joytsick worked again. Some of the electronics on these machines dont react well to dust and dirt, which is tree work. Even though everything is sealed off saw dust still manages to get in. So you need to prepare yourself when a switch or sensor needs cleaning by opening up where the sensor is at and clean it.
My altec bucket truck never has any problems with the boom, becuase there is zero electrical on it. All hydraulic. Sure electric over hydraulic makes a boom much smoother, but it also makes it more problematic.
I work my spider lift 80% of the time, bucket truck 18% and climbing 2%. I also never pull any trucks on a lawn. Around here everyone has a sprinkler system and sod so for me its either keep the spider lift or climb. Keeping the spiderlift for now, but hoping there will be more competition to enter the market. Right now there is no competition in the 75ft range at the price a 23gt sells for.
