Just when it seems that the right machine has been purchased for a company, after a few uses it is realized that the equipment is either too powerful or not powerful enough for business needs. Unfortunately, buying a machine that is not effective for the tasks that need to be performed may require an upgrade to make it work better or even the purchase of a completely different vehicle. On the other hand, if a vehicle is purchased with many added features or accessories that are not necessary for current business needs, it means more money has been spent for unusable features.
When purchasing grapple trucks with attachments designed for specific applications, it is important for buyers know about the tangible and non-tangible aspects of such vehicles. Following is some helpful information to be considered before the next acquisition of one of these mighty machines.
Tangible Aspects
What are the tangible aspects of these vehicles that should be considered before making a purchase? Some things to look at are the bushing and pin configurations. Be sure to double-check the quality of the welds and the tips to ensure wear resistance. These parts are crucial because failure of one of these could cause operation downtime, greatly affecting production and income.
Another tangible aspects to look at are the pins and cylinders. These particular components should be well-sealed and protected to avoid damage. The replacement of these parts may be difficult and take time.
The truck should be actually tested to ensure the vehicle is fully operational. Pay special attention to the rotators and hydraulics and cycle times, all of which are critical to efficient production. Compare the hydraulics ratings to the cycle times to determine the grip strength of the equipment.
Non-Tangible Aspects
The non-tangible aspects are as important as the tangible ones. Make certain that the grapple truck is properly backed by the manufacturer. Since parts do wear out or break, it is important that vehicle attachments and accessories will be available at a dealership or through the manufacturer’s authorized repair shop staffed with properly trained mechanics to perform repairs or replacements. Factory parts and authorized mechanics go hand-in-hand as it makes little sense to entrust expensive replacement parts to mechanics without the expertise to make proper repairs and possibly compromise the safety and efficiency of the vehicle.
Another non-tangible aspect to be considered is the overall cost of owning such an expensive machine. It is imperative to understand that the initial purchase price of a grapple truck is just one small part of the investment and does not include all involved expenses involved with such a machine. It is more important to focus on the total cost of ownership, such as maintenance costs, part replacements, depreciation, etc.
Conclusion
Learning about the various aspects of grapple trucks, including both the tangible and the non-tangible elements, should be very helpful to any company when acquiring another vehicle. Knowing the grapple truck attachments for specific applications will ensure the right type vehicle is purchased to meet specific company needs!
