Chatting to Arcadia Tree Care, a new owner, showed why the Monitor 1890 has for years claimed the honour of Australia’s top-selling spider lift.
Arcadia Tree Care, based in Albany in WA, handles all types of tree work, from a prune or safety check right through to the removal of towering eucalypts in close proximity to structures.
Four years into its journey, Arcadia Tree Care is owned and run by Leon Fry, who recently took delivery of Monitor 1890 spider lift.
If Leon’s opinions are typical of 1890 owners and operators, we’re not surprised it’s such a popular machine.
Guided by experience
“This is the first EWP we’ve bought through the business,” said the cheerful Leon, “but I have a long history of using them through past companies I’ve worked for.
“The largest EWP I’ve used was a 65-metre truck-mounted unit, but I regularly worked with 24-metre EWPs. That was back in my 20s, working in Kings Park and Botanic Garden in Perth. I also used truck-mounted EWPs in London in the UK.”
Back to school
Leon first struck out on his own about four years ago, and initially worked mostly with hire equipment – mainly trailer-mounted and truck-mounted EWPs. The purchase of the Monitor 1890 was a carefully considered one, but Leon has only benefit from the decision.
“About 12 months ago we started a contract with the Department of Housing and Works where we do a lot of work at the schools in the region,” Leon told The Australian Arbor Age magazine. “I found that with the play equipment, and the way trees were located throughout the school, and with the rise of nature playgrounds and similar features, there wasn’t the access for truck-mounted or trailer-mounted EWPs. Those machines can’t get into the places spider lifts can.
“On top of that, a lot of the work is deadwooding and fine pruning on trees where it’s impossible for a climber to access the outer parts of the canopy.”
Leon didn’t mince his words when we asked if the 1890 had been a good purchase.
“It’s become a huge asset for our business,” he said. “It’s allowed us to take on work we couldn’t previously bid on or didn’t have the capability to do. It’s also allowed us to access areas more easily and work more safely, and it lets us provide a better quality of work as well. We don’t have to compromise.”
Monitor results
Naturally a machine’s performance is important, but so are the service and support from the company maintaining it – and once again, Leon found himself on a winner.
“Second to none. Just fantastic,” he said when asked about Monitor.
“Steve at the WA branch has been a huge help, and we’ve dealt with people from Monitor all around the country. We’ve dealt with the hire department, the spare parts department, and sales.
“Arcadia Tree Care also chose Monitor because it’s a one-stop solution for modern arboriculture companies. It has truckmounted EWPs, the largest range of spider lifts available, good quality wood chippers from Först and Morbark, and they have Rayco stump grinders.
“As far as arbor machinery goes, you can deal with just the one company. In this day and age when there’s so much to do, it’s made buying and running machines really easy.
“All in all, it’s just a fantastic company to deal with.
For more information, visit monitor.net.au.