[TowerTalk] tower trucking

[Grant Saviers]

Your local upscale rental yard will have several alternative forklifts 
available for unloading, which is your responsibility.

"warehouse" forkifts will only work on a good paved surface.

"pneumatic tire" forklifts will work on a firm gravel surface

"rough terrain" will work most anywhere not muddy, but many of these are 
"reach trucks/lifts" and you need maneuvering room for a 15 to 20' 
boom.  They can reach out with loads up to 35' or so, which might be of 
helpful.

even the smallest model will have enough capacity.  Consider what you 
need to get to the tower base right after unloading.

some have used tow trucks for unloading, that might work ok if they can 
handle the height of the flatbed deck.  Or a friend with a decent size 
(3/4 yard bucket and up) frontloader/backhoe and some slings.

I've used 4 or 5 different rental yards when I need something other than 
my own pneumatic tire forklifts, and none have asked for insurance 
binders for this equipment (some will for really big stuff if you aren't 
a business), so if you have a good credit card, no hassles to rent 
them.  The delivery guys have always been willing to give me the basic 
how to run it instructions.

about $250 to $400 per day depending on how big plus delivery ($80 to 
$150 round trip).  Sundays are usually free if you rent Sat-Mon.

Use slings noosed around the forks and basketed around all sections 
spaced at the balance point.  Don't lift with the forks under the 
tower.  Steel on steel is very slippery.

Or hire a rigger, but most of them have equipment that will only work on 
a paved surface.

Grant KZ1W