Buying a used Lull telehandler?

[Mattilac]

I want to frame my detached garage project myself. I just can't stomach the $30K+ quotes for framing labor only. Granted, it's a big building (40x64x16), but I don't see what the big deal is. It's four walls (traditional stick-frame) with trusses dropped on top. No interior walls, no fancy geometry, nothing special. Sure, it will take me 5 times longer than a pro crew, but that's okay.

I think the one major piece of equipment I'll need is something to lift the walls and trusses. I'm not a big fan of renting, as I'm then under the gun to get stuff done in time. It seems an older telehandler would be just the ticket. I'm sure I'll find many more uses for it beyond lifting the walls and trusses too. Plus I can just flip it after I'm done.

What do you guys think? Am I crazy to take this on myself? Anything to look out for when buying a used Lull / telehandler?

I have my eye on this Lull 644 TT-34 for sale locally. John Deere diesel, 4200hrs, everything works and sounded healthy, tires not too cracked up, comes with a man basket - $16K delivered. The price seems good to me but I'm curious what you guys with more experience think?

 

[cvairwerks]

I wouldn’t even consider trying to frame a 40x64x16 by my self. Standing even a 20’ wide wall section is going to take 4 people, even with a tele-handler.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Never buy a telehandler…rent it.

 

[karoc]

If your able buy one from someone you know then go for it. But buying one from auction house or the unknown is roll of dice. I’m in same spot as you but going rent one for week. Get trusses in place and roof decking stack on top.
Like anything else buying used, if need part for Lull who knows if it’s available and cost

 

[budget76]

based on what I see Lull's for in my area, the price seems high. maybe it's in better shape or lower hours, but does that matter if you're going to use it for 20hrs then sell it again?



work needed on this one


ready to go?

 

[dnschmidt]

Stop watching Essential Craftsman on YouTube. Just because that dude with 45 years of experience can do it doesn't mean you can.

 

[Mattilac]

Interesting. Thought there would be more DIY support here.

Why can't I frame it?

 

[TurnipTruck]

Except for craning the trusses, my midsized tractor was all I needed to build my shop essentially single-handed. I likely wouldn’t have been so exhausted and burnt out if I had the use of a telehandler or a forklift with greater reach.

 

[cretedog]

$16k delivered for a 6000lb Lull as pictured would be a good price around here. Might be a nice machine to have around when you're done with your build too. Look inside the boom at the condition of the hoses, rollers and chain. Dry or oily in there? Run the boom all the way out and in see that it operates smoothly. Same with the carriage on Lulls- out and in smoothly with not flattened out rollers thumping along. Tilt the forks /cage all the way up and down and look at the condition of the cylinder. Seals on the insides of the hubs dry or leaking?... ... ... Good luck- just remember it's not an 8 or 10K pound machine when you're lifting trusses and such.

 

[billconner]

Interesting. Thought there would be more DIY support here.

Why can't I frame it?

I'm 70 and wouldn't hesitate to attempt this solo. Go for it!

 

[dnschmidt]

I'm 70 and wouldn't hesitate to attempt this solo. Go for it!

YOU DA MAN! I'm 70 too and I walked SEMA and AAPEX for two days and I could hardly walk by Thursday. Apparently you have better knees than I do.

 

[billconner]

YOU DA MAN! I'm 70 too and I walked SEMA and AAPEX for two days and I could hardly walk by Thursday. Apparently you have better knees than I do.

Funny timing - I'm recovering from knee surgery yesterday! Luckily minor debridement and seems better already. Fell on ice and tore miniscus in April, reinjured it building garage in August.

 

[bigcreek]

If you inspect the machine and it seems to operate well, especially if you can get the history on it from the guy and it seems decent, go for it. Nothing beats having a telehandler or all terrain forklift around. I cant imagine being without one. They are the handiest thing on planet earth.

 

[Mattilac]

Good luck- just remember it's not an 8 or 10K pound machine when you're lifting trusses and such.

Thanks. The heaviest truss should weigh around 900lbs. Most around 500lbs. I understand the machine's rated capacity goes down proportional to reach / height.

 

[PoorUB]

Renting it will be less money than one repair!

 

[reader2580]

I agree with renting, but delivery each is usually a pretty good chunk of money when renting a telehandler. Renting means you have to get everything done during the rental period. Buying gives more flexibility, but all the headache of maintaining and repairing such a machine.

I looked at what telehandlers cost near me and every one that was reasonably priced around $10,000 had issues. One has a hydraulic pump that needs repair or replacement. I bet he wouldn't be selling it if the repair was inexpensive.

 

[Joemctag]

I want to frame my detached garage project myself. I just can't stomach the $30K+ quotes for framing labor only. Granted, it's a big building (40x64x16), but I don't see what the big deal is. It's four walls (traditional stick-frame) with trusses dropped on top. No interior walls, no fancy geometry, nothing special. Sure, it will take me 5 times longer than a pro crew, but that's okay.

I think the one major piece of equipment I'll need is something to lift the walls and trusses. I'm not a big fan of renting, as I'm then under the gun to get stuff done in time. It seems an older telehandler would be just the ticket. I'm sure I'll find many more uses for it beyond lifting the walls and trusses too. Plus I can just flip it after I'm done.

What do you guys think? Am I crazy to take this on myself? Anything to look out for when buying a used Lull / telehandler?

I have my eye on this Lull 644 TT-34 for sale locally. John Deere diesel, 4200hrs, everything works and sounded healthy, tires not too cracked up, comes with a man basket - $16K delivered. The price seems good to me but I'm curious what you guys with more experience think?

For some options, there are devices to raise walls into place that haves pole and a hand winch. Also, can’t the truss company hook you up with a boom truck and operator? You’d have to find some help besides just yourself and maybe some scaffold for inside the building.
I think that’s where I’d spend some money, because you gotta do stuff inside.
Sure the telehandler could shoot your sheathing or roof sheets up there. Sure, you could make a work platform for it to do walls.
I guess, if it worked when you bought it, it probably wouldn’t break down on this one job.

 

[Bert_]

The key is, don't buy junk or a "project" machine. Yes, there will be a lot more interest in a better machine and that means you're going to have to spend more money but the same is true when you go to sell it.

The old ones in post 5 are what I would avoid. Not many will want it when you're done even if nothing breaks.

 

[Mattilac]

I bought a Lull 644B-37 for $14.5K today. Bit newer machine, fewer hours (~3000), more reach and functions. No man basket or delivery included though.

The machine is dry and tight except for a leak in the transfer carriage cylinder when being retracted. Fortunately that is an easy cylinder to remove / install if I choose to re-seal it.

We'll see how this plays out in the long run! But I think this was a good deal.

 

[dtt454]

doing heavy equipment repair for a living, id never buy one for one project. just the cost of one tire will cost you more than a rental for a couple days. old equipment might be pretty cool, but one blown hose can cost you 500 bucks for a new hose and makeup oil. plus if you rent you can trade it back and get a different machine thats more suited to different jobs.

 

[billconner]

than a rental for a couple days

Working solo, probably a couple of weeks or months. That rental gets very pricey.

 

[reader2580]

Let's say you are still working and mostly work weekends on a project. In my area a two day rental of a telehandler is about $800 plus another $400 to $500 for delivery and pickup. A month's rental would be around $2,500 plus the pickup and delivery if you could finish in a month.

Of course, if you buy one you may be able to resell it for close to what you paid for it.

 

[dr_clyde]

These things hold their value pretty well after they depreciate a bit.

OP should be able to sell it after they’re done and get their money back if desired.

 

[dutchgray]

We own ours, it's our third new machine (we started with a used machine first) it was £77k 18 months ago, would just break the £100k for the same machine now.

Over here it will cost you £1k just to get a hired machine on site and they won't let you have one if you haven't got an operators certificate. Most of the rental places that do them will not hire to non commercial customers anyway.

 

[budget76]

The key is, don't buy junk or a "project" machine. Yes, there will be a lot more interest in a better machine and that means you're going to have to spend more money but the same is true when you go to sell it.

The old ones in post 5 are what I would avoid. Not many will want it when you're done even if nothing breaks.

you make a good point, I told myself I learned that after the last purchase that needed work. Then I tell him to buy an old one

maybe i want to see others suffer like I do? i dunno. can't argue with your points, fully agree

 

[Mattilac]

Another problem with renting, at least here in the state of MA, is that you need a hydraulics license to rent any equipment. It's super dumb, which is on par for this state.

 

[Shocker]

Looking forward to see your progress. Very cool IMHO.

 

[PCustoms]

Another problem with renting, at least here in the state of MA, is that you need a hydraulics license to rent any equipment. It's super dumb, which is on par for this state.

What is a hydraulic license?

 

[Mattilac]

What is a hydraulic license?

Exactly. There's a license or permit needed for every little thing here.

Back when I was shopping for site work guys, I reached out to a few in NH (since I'm near the border) and several said they would not do any work in MA due to the ridiculous licensing and permitting requirements.

 

[billconner]

It feels a little too nanny state for my tastes.

Hoisting

The Engineering Division of the Office of Public Safety and Inspection (OPSI) licenses and regulates the operation of hoisting equipment.

www.mass.gov

 

[ATC]

Skid steer with a boom pole would have also been a good choice with more options for attachments and future use.

 

[Al Borland]

All for the DIY.
Just wondering where you store the Lull after the job is over?
What will you use it for after this? At least a rental goes away when you are done using it.

 

[whateg01]

Doesn't help on the trusses, but we used wall jacks similar to these.

TranzSporter Wall Jacks 2 Pack (16ft.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WNWXMT9/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I wouldn't pay that kind of money for them though. It's basically a come along on a pole with a pulley at the top. If you have a few of those, and are smart about it so that the wall doesn't go past vertical, you can pretty easily, if slowly, raise a wall by yourself of just about any length.

 

[garfunkle24]

Exactly. There's a license or permit needed for every little thing here.

Back when I was shopping for site work guys, I reached out to a few in NH (since I'm near the border) and several said they would not do any work in MA due to the ridiculous licensing and permitting requirements.

Never heard of a hydraulics license! Seems a bit nanny state to me too. On the other hand I can see the issues of renting equipment to Henry Homeowner who has not the slightest clue about working under unsupported loads/implements or high pressure oil injection. Hell I see enough professional mechanics and operators standing under booms and **** with nothing but an o-ring or lip seal preventing them from becoming a smear on concrete. Did some of them have load locks/counterbalance valves? Maybe, but I didn't know and pretty sure they didn't either.

 

[James-W]

Interesting. Thought there would be more DIY support here.

Why can't I frame it?

You can certainly do whatever you want, it is your building. You asked us if we thought you were crazy for attempting the project by yourself, we gave you our opinions. You can accept our opinions and hire it done, or you can ignore us and continue the project on your own. A building that size is no easy task to complete. But in any case, the ball is in your court and the choice is yours to do the project as you see fit. I wish you all the best in whichever way you decide.

 

[billconner]

It will take longer and you'll spend much less if you do it yourself. I diy as a labor of love - I probably enjoy the building more than the use when it's completed. I did break down and rented a loader for a week and wished I just bought one before I started.

 

[steel 35]

I Used a Extra man (Scissor lift) Testing the propane / Gas Issue;
For 8 Months

 

[Mattilac]

Skid steer with a boom pole would have also been a good choice with more options for attachments and future use.

I'd love to pick up a skid steer at some point too. Curious, how high does the boom pole attachment go?

Just wondering where you store the Lull after the job is over?
What will you use it for after this? At least a rental goes away when you are done using it.

I have a bit of space. Not acres upon acres but not a postage stamp size lot either. I'll probably just flip it after I'm all done. I think it will be real useful until then though.

Speaking of things I have no business owning... I present to you my HEMTT:

You can certainly do whatever you want, it is your building. You asked us if we thought you were crazy for attempting the project by yourself, we gave you our opinions. You can accept our opinions and hire it done, or you can ignore us and continue the project on your own. A building that size is no easy task to complete. But in any case, the ball is in your court and the choice is yours to do the project as you see fit. I wish you all the best in whichever way you decide.

Appreciate all the opinions! Some just surprised me.

 

[whateg01]

A HEMTT or a HET would be great, but everytime I bring it up, somebody asks where would I put it?
David Sparks has some cool toys

 

[Snapped-off]

Speaking of things I have no business owning... I present to you my HEMTT:

That's awesome, but why are the stripes leading the stars?