Gradall 534b telehandler

thechknhwk · October 06, 2014, 08:56:37 PM

Anyone know anything about these? It's an 87 with a 4cyl perkins turbo diesel, 2700hrs. Looks like it was either kept inside or painted with good looking rubber. 36' lift, 6000lb capacity. I'm kinda thinking about it instead of paying someone lots of money to help put my barn up I could pay a little more and have a telehandler. Except I can't find out how much it weighs.

ScottAR · October 06, 2014, 09:29:33 PM

I didn't find the 534B model but it's D model cousin weighs 24420.6 lbs. I'd expect that's in the ballpark.

thechknhwk · October 06, 2014, 09:35:40 PM

Just a few minutes ago I found a pic of an ID plate for the 534B and it shows 21,400

. Guess I won't be putting that on a trailer behind the truck!

thechknhwk · October 06, 2014, 09:39:36 PM

The SAD, SAD part is my dear brother-in-law has 2 of them. Ya think I could just borrow one or rent it at a reasonable rate, well of course not... he says he uses the nicer one a couple times a week and the other one has a sketchy reverse. :

Dave Shepard · October 06, 2014, 10:16:12 PM

I don't know anything about that brand, but a telehandler is just awesome around a mill or construction site. 8)

thechknhwk · October 06, 2014, 10:27:41 PM

The only thing I don't like is that it's not SSQA on the front, but I suppose that could be fixed in time.

This is the old brochure.

http://www.hawkeyerentals.com/images/534B_Brochure.pdf

WmFritz · October 06, 2014, 11:06:01 PM

My BIL bought a new Skytrack for his conventional framing business. I believe it's the largest unit they make with a 70 or 80 foot reach. It has to be moved with a tractor/low boy.

Last week he dropped some good sized Aspen to saw up for trim. I went and got them and was blown away at how easily and smoothly he picked those 17 footers like nothing and so gently set them down on the trailer deck. What a difference from my liittle '59 Ferguson.

I want one bad!

Ljohnsaw · October 06, 2014, 11:43:35 PM

I've got a 1986ish Skytrak 9038 (9,000 lb capacity/38 foot lift). Was used pretty hard but still an amazing machine! I've used it to pop out 6 to 7 foot boulders estimated to weigh around 18-22,000 lbs. Couldn't lift them but could push them out of the way with the hydraulics. The 4-wheel drive / 4-wheel steering is awesome! Mine weighs in at 23,500 lbs. and took a big rig to deliver it.

Ford_man · October 07, 2014, 04:44:28 PM

If you like it and the price is right then buy it and hire some body to move it for you.

shinnlinger · October 08, 2014, 07:10:54 PM

I was able to use a big Lull on my house and it was extremely handy. I had it over a year. It had a 12 ft basket so I could side and roof with it also. My vote would be get it.

thechknhwk · October 08, 2014, 07:45:29 PM

Turns out something was wrong with one of the drives, front or rear I can't recall. Still looking, if you see any close to 48655 around 10k let me know.

thechknhwk · October 14, 2014, 03:23:45 AM

How about a Lull 644 Highlander II, 1995 vintage? Maybe if I get one I'll have more friends.

sandhills · October 14, 2014, 04:48:10 AM

It won't matter what breed you get, you'll be the most popular guy in town ;).

Dave Shepard · October 14, 2014, 10:26:51 AM

I have a borrowed 644, and had one at my last job. They are a great machine. They are not a telehandler, meaning you really wouldn't want to put a bucket on it and expect to do much in a day. :D But as a high lift forklift, they are great.

Removing timber stack cover:

thechknhwk · October 14, 2014, 11:27:24 PM

What do you mean it's not a telehandler?

Dave Shepard · October 15, 2014, 10:28:17 AM

A telehandler is designed to have a quick change for the bucket and forks, and also has the hydraulic speed and horsepower for loading operations. The hydraulics on a 644 move too slowly for bucket work, and it doesn't have a lot of power to the ground. You would have to be in first gear to scoop, and even then it wouldn't be too exciting. Newer machines are designed to be multi-purpose. I'm not saying you can't scoop with them, but it will be very slow.

Ljohnsaw · October 15, 2014, 10:42:07 AM

Quote from: Dave Shepard on October 15, 2014, 10:28:17 AM
A telehandler is designed to have a quick change for the bucket and forks, and also has the hydraulic speed and horsepower for loading operations. The hydraulics on a 644 move too slowly for bucket work, and it doesn't have a lot of power to the ground. You would have to be in first gear to scoop, and even then it wouldn't be too exciting. Newer machines are designed to be multi-purpose. I'm not saying you can't scoop with them, but it will be very slow.

Yep - sloooooow. I built a bucket for mine. Slow, but a heck of a lot faster then a shovel and wheelbarrow! :D :D The previous owner of my neighbor's property brought in tons of 1/2" - 1-1/2" river cobble, filling an area about 100'x100' anywhere from 5' to 1' deep. Awful stuff! Part is on my easement road to my property. Roll over it and my truck likes to sink. So I've been digging it out and spreading about 2" on my dirt forest road - it keeps the dust down a bit.