Mechanical Scaffold

WARD

I'm looking for some input on hydraulic scaffold systems. I have a few sets of EZ Scaffold brand, Twin mast climbers, but they seem to be some what unreliable. I love the set-up I have when its working. It is very stable, relativley easy to construct, and easy to move. They deffinately increase production on any work that is high, higher than 30 feet anyway. Not to mention how much more safe they are to work off of.

Does anybody have any comments on another brand? I have talked to a few people who have had good luck with the Hydro Mobile brand. But I haven't talked with anyone else who has had bad luck with EZ Scaffold either.

Comments???

6stringmason

I've never worked on jobs big enough where I need hydro scaffold. Usually around here there for large union jobs.

__________________
Kamps Masonry & Concrete Countertop Design Green Bay, WI
920-680-3195
Visit our website @
http://www.concretecountertopsdesign.com/

plepper

We use Hydro for 80-90% percent of our work. We have found it be worth 20% increase in production plus the saftey benefits are outstanding. It's a major expense to purchase but pays for itself quickly. In our area if you are'nt using mast climbing scaffold you're just not a player.

artisanstone

Has anyone used a system like this for residential? Like 6string said, around here you only see such systems on med. to large commercial, big box stores and the like. I've never really been happy with our scaffolding setup and wish there was something better out there for us. We have a different need though, as we spend far more time at a given level. Stonework is slowww.

__________________
Bill Baddorf
Bill@artisanstoneworks.net
www.artisanstoneworks.net
www.stonefoundation.org

stacker

i dont see how anyone could justify using this type on residential projects.
the only time i have been around them was in okc on a school project.i loved them.alltho we were only about 20 feet off the ground or so,it was nice working on them.put your tools on them and up you go.at break bring it down.no climbing ladders or stairs.and for a fat man like me thats great

__________________
life is short,do your masonry naked!!
http://ok.local.yahoo.biz/knabemasonry/index.html

master mason

Ward, I've used three types of hydrolic mast climbing scaffold. Fraco,Bennu,and Hydro-mobile.Fraco set the standard at first,then Bennu came but soon went out of business. In my opinion Hydro-mobile is the best by far.You can use two power units (24' each) a bearing bridge between the power units (56') and an 18'extension on each side of the power units. So the total wall you can build could be up to 140'. You can work the wall between control joints. Safety is also a big factor, your guardrails go up as your scaffold does. Production goes up because your bricklayers are always working at a confortable height. You can also use hoist crains that attatch to the power unit to hoist material.

jaymasonry

ever work with a rig driver that left his glasses in the truck? i did. i was on a hydro topped out and grouting(as high as we could without bracing to the bulding). old dude picked the tub to refill and got his forks caught on the hydro and kept suckin in. the wall kept getting further and further away. i was SCREWED. too far to jump, i was ready to ride the tower down. luckily he heard us all screaming and let go, slingshoting us back into our wall, which we tore down. needless to say it was the brickies faults. fun day.

__________________
Yeah thats me holding up a burrito from taco bell in a pittsburgh hotel lobby at midnight.

jaymasonry

(hydro-mobile)


only if all the brickies on my scaffold are 6'6" too. im bent over all day on the damn things, although i do like the material height. no bending over too far for my mud board & brick. i havent seen the other two brands. hydro has a hold on st. louis.

__________________
Yeah thats me holding up a burrito from taco bell in a pittsburgh hotel lobby at midnight.

bobcaygeonjon

OK so does anybody have any idea about purchase cost for these scaffolds?

jaymasonry

insanely expensive.

call irwin products. i know its not near you but they'll have the answers.

314-427-8803

check their website too.

__________________
Yeah thats me holding up a burrito from taco bell in a pittsburgh hotel lobby at midnight.

bobcaygeonjon

Yeah that figures.

I guess you would have to use it all day everyday to make it pay. Only half the work I do involves any scaffold at all.

I like a deal though.

jaymasonry

i didnt see your in the UK. nevermind about calling them.

__________________
Yeah thats me holding up a burrito from taco bell in a pittsburgh hotel lobby at midnight.

Jamie H

Monday november 10 we had our bennu collapse from 25 feet. The unit was being lowerd for the day. In the accident one person was killed after being thrown from the walk boards and two others in the hospital with life threatining injuies. OSHA is doing an investigation on the accident and we will know what went wrong. But for anyone with fraco hydro mobil or bennu please make sure that all of it is in good working condition before after and during its uses. It is very hard for a contractor to deal with the death of an employee.

brick4life

I own mason king crankups that work with a winch,pulleyand cable system. They are a lot less expensive and are easier to transport from site to site. My guys love working off them and we use them for our commerical and bigger residential jobs.

bigjimbrick

Best machines I have worked with are by far, is the Mastclimber Solutions twin mast unit, very easy setup and lifting weight, comes on a trailer so can be up working in no time. also not as expensive as Hydro or fraco units.

lukachuki

lol....like a phoenix this thread rises from the ashes.

__________________
"The problem with internet quotes is, you never know if they are authentic." -Abraham Lincoln-

Less with the jaw more with the paw!

fjn

Non-stop is the very best in my book.

wazez

Just this week I bought EZ light duty...guess we'll see if it was worth it.

artisanstone

Please post your opinion. I'm seriously considering the Nonstop Junior, but I'm a little afraid of learning curve, extra parts and pieces, etc.

__________________
Bill Baddorf
Bill@artisanstoneworks.net
www.artisanstoneworks.net
www.stonefoundation.org

fjn

ARTISANSTONE Do not know about jounior,however standard duty is real good and heavy duty is awesome.