Hello Steve,
Yep, I myself did wonder, as you did, about the folks who obviously have
spent mucho $$$ already, then scrimping on installation costs. Poor
mouthing in 5/5/5 stack stations is kinda silly.
I have rented the following with the following results:
1. sign co. bucket truck--goes up to about 25-30 feet if truck can get
near tower base. Comes with operator who runs things from the ground. U
in bucket must relay your moving needs to him down below, nusance, and u
must be very clear in communicating what moves u want! Very very stable
and safe. Charge by hour including travel to site. One man limit in
bucket. Rented operator necessary and included in cost.
2 and 3. Snorkle crane...
this is a specialized booming, telescoping, self-propelled
crane with a man basket on the end of the boom. Have had a 30 footer and
a 70 footer. Both can drive from the basket controls--and very very very
easy to control by yourself. In fact the only potential danger is that
the motor will not re-start while u are in the air. In that rare case, u
will not fall, but u will stay up there until u can call someone. I just
take a cel phone up with me. Man basket will fit two men easily.
The snorkle has a weight limit of about 500 lbs, check on that, but u can
drive it around while u are at FULL HEIGHT, really a thrill to drive the
main motor unit around while u are at 70 feet. The boom swings around
some! Not usually necessary to do this. The movements are very precise
and can be moved inches at a time! The man basket stays automatically
level -- very nice convenience feature (unlike #1 above and #4 below).
These probable come in 90 feet or more, but I do not know for sure.
Rent by the hour. Comes by truck and must have a BIG off-loading area
somewhere near your site. Rent includes insurance and travel time. Try
to get it on a Friday and beg for free Sat and Sunday! My company I use
likes me, I am so odd, and are happy to rent this way because the rig just
sits there not earning $$$ otherwise! Rented operator not necessary.
#4. Regular crane with man bucket attached. I used this one time, no
more if possible because the bucket does not auto-level, U are constantly
having to release two fittings to let the bucket swing level as the crane
booms up and out (in TV station terms, this is "pedastal up, boom up,
extend out, or telescope out"). Also, the man bucket is simply attached
to the hoist hook on the crane, not too steady. Personally inspect this
arrangement prior to renting to see if it is too unsteady for your nerves.
This version , also comes by truck and needs off-loading area, and,
however, comes in great heights-- 200 feet is possible, I hear. Note that
u will need about 15 by 15 foot area on earth to set the outriggers for
this size monster. Rents by hour, operator extra and usually necessary
because the controls are usually at earth level only.
Feel free to relay this post to anyone interested, since I took so much
time on it. de K4VUD
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