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First time lift rental

4K views 27 replies 17 participants last post by  Gracobucks 
#1 ·
As the title says I will be renting a 69' articulating manlift tomorrow. I have never used one or seen one used am I in for a rough road? Any advice would be helpful
 
#5 ·
You need to know if the lift is meant for pavement only, or if it can be driven "off road." You don't want to get it stuck. lol

As stated above, learn the controls before doing a bunch of moving and work way off the ground. The higher up you go, the more sensitive you need to be with the controls. Slow is a good thing when booming in and out, moving left or right, and when rotating the cage. Slow is a good thing.
 
#6 ·
Make sure you wear a safety harness. Check, double check, then check again constantly for power lines. Go straight up and down inclines. Watch for small bumps because they can throw you right off your feet if you go to fast over them. Most lifts have a little delay before they engage and disengage so make sure you stop far enough away from walls and inch you way closer. The farther you are extended out the more bounce and sway you will have in the bucket. Keep your cell phone with you in case you need help. Have fun.
 
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#9 ·
Some great advice. 70 footer on your first lift? I would just say pay very close attention to the ground. Anything not level may send you on a ride that you may need an extra bucket and rags for. Don't move it extended until you get used to it.
 
#15 ·
Definitely need a harness for an articulated. You can be catapulted out while moving it. Think of the arm as a big lever and the bucket the load end of it.

Pay attention to the proximity to power lines. It's sad but sometimes people just forget. Overhead lines could easily be 13.2kv or higher. Minimum 10ft clearance on even the lowest voltages. Electricity can and will arc to your lift. Then you are dead.

Big lifts can be a time suck if you don't take a minute and think about what you are about to do. What tools and materials need to be brought up. Every up and down or reposition uses up time.
 
#19 ·
In addition to great tips already mentioned, here's a few more:
-check to make sure you have the appropriate insurance.
-be honest with the guy who drops the lift off and let him know you're a noob and he'll usually take a little more time to explain everything more thoroughly.
-always take your cell phone up the lift with you.
-be aware you may need a 4wd unit if terrain is rough.
-manage customer's expectations if you have to drive it on their grass, since you'll either flatten their grass from laying plywood sheets down or you'll rip it up without the plywood.
-understand your lift's limitations...whether it's the slope, terrain, fuel consumption, capabilities, etc.
-check to see if the company renting you the lift is aware that you're using it for painting, and be upfront with them about how much paint/overspray you expect to get on it.
 
#21 ·
You will get the hang of it. Back 12 years ago when I was 18 my old boss had a 60 footer dropped off and I taught myself how to drive it. After a day it was easy. Took me a while to figure out how to start it haha also watch for bumps when In rabbit mode, it will literally catapult you out of the bucket.


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#25 ·
The lift I rented was jlg 600a. It was mind boggling to me that I had to run an extension cord to the base of the machine so I could run the sprayer at the gfi in the basket. That engine doesn't produce enough energy to run a 20amp outlet? That's bad design having to constantly hold the cord or swing it around so I didn't run it over
 
#28 ·
Your right, they should have the engine run a generator, but I guess there is no upsell if they do. The optional generator is attached to the machine under the cover. Can be started and shut off from up top.

Glad everything went good for you. They do save lots of time and are worth the rental in most cases. If you ever rent a tow behind. Make sure it has the set and drive option. Will save you lots of headaches.
 
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