[TowerTalk] how much boom lifts rent for

[K0DAN]

(Grin)

I rented a "BilJax" a year or two ago...the one  rented had about 50' 
vertical & horizontal reach, and was on a trailer (not self-propelled). 
You'd position the trailer, level it, then begin reaching out to your work 
area (in tortoise mode).

I have a Tri-Ex up/down/tiltover tower but with the repair job I had was 
still easier to rent the BilJax (about $150/day?) rather than remove all the 
cables, tilt the tower, remove antennas, etc.

It was worth it, altho a new experience learning how to weave the worker's 
bucket in & around the tower, antenna elements, etc.

Once we were 2 hours into the job the BilJax decided it wasn't level and the 
safety interlocks kicked in. Fortunately we were low to the ground and were 
able to retract everything to "start" position. Tried to re-level but the 
BilJax insisted it wasn't level or stable or whatever it was looking for. We 
thought everything was fine and the machine was being 
temperamental....ground was slightly sloped but not too bad. We repositioned 
the BilJax, and it still kept trying to auto-level (nobody in the bucket) 
and looked like a medium sized dinosaur trying to pick up a babe. Called the 
rental agent dealer who sent out a lackey, who messed around with it for 
over an hour, never really gave us much confidence. We repositioned it 
ourselves and then the BilJax started working OK and we sent off the lackey 
and finished the job. When I returned it to the rental place I mentioned all 
this to the manager, who took $50 off my bill and let me keep the fall 
arrest harness!

Job was completed and I was happy! I recommend this to anyone who can safely 
rent & use a BilJax!

73

Dan
k0dan

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Lux" <jimlux at earthlink.net>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2011 11:20 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] how much boom lifts rent for


> On 11/12/11 8:21 PM, Grant Saviers wrote:
>
>> Every rental delivery guy I've experienced was very helpful and will
>> give you a short "how to" on the machine upon delivery.  Go slow (rabbit
>> mode is for the experts on these machines) and THINK/plan every
>> movement.   Generally, the tilt sensors and interlocks help keep you
>> safe, but stupidity can be fatal as with any tower work.
>>
>
> I find it hilarious that they're labeled rabbit and tortoise...
>
> (my dad said that's at least 50 years old.. Korean war vintage deuce and
> a half )
>
> "Jim, drive the crane around the corner. stay in tortoise mode"
> _______________________________________________
>
>