best pick up truck liftgate?

I'm in the market for lift gates for my pick up trucks. I'm looking at Tommy gate, Maxon and Theman and leaning toward Tommy Gate. Does anyone have any experience (good or bad) with their lift gates that could help me decide which brand, dos and don'ts, info? Thanks

Don't know about brands but you should get one with a wider platform so there is less chance of falling off.

I had a new Tommy Gate with the extension platform spotwelded onto my Chevy pickup years ago. I liked it the most because it only used 12Volts power to raise the platform. Going down, it was strictly hydraulic only. If I remember correctly, it had a 1000 LB load capacity? I remember it had no trouble lifting up the 750 LB 55 gallon drums of sealer aboard. Then I transferred the drums to a bumper crane and cradle to place them behind the cab ready for spraying. I also bought and installed the extra tail and backup light package being as the original lights were being blocked by the extended out liftgate. Maintenance of the oil level was very easy too.

linemaker, what kind of sealer are you refering that you spray? are you referring to seal coat?

LaredoStriping, yes it was Asphalt Emulsion sealcoating 55 gallon drums I was referring to that we had sprayed right out of the drums

linemaker wrote on May 28, 2015:Go to #5

LaredoStriping, yes it was Asphalt Emulsion sealcoating 55 gallon drums I was referring to that we had sprayed right out of the drums

Ok, I know next to nothing (almost) about sealcoating but how do you mix the sand and water into that drum if it is already full of sealer ?

A lot of time ready mix will have the sand already in it.

straightline wrote on Aug 24, 2015:Go to #7

A lot of time ready mix will have the sand already in it.

So does the sand stay suspended in the sealer or do you have to keep it mixed up so it doesn't settle to the bottom of drum ?

If you are talking about the sand that comes mixed in the seal coat it depends on the manufacturer. You should buy it right before you use it. Small Town you have quite a drive from Phoenix or Tucson. If you are going to start seal coating you should have a agitated tank. I've seen guys use plastic tanks with a gas powered diaphragm pump or a trash pump which they use to circulate the sealer. Be careful how much sand you add and always add additional emulsion (SS1h) when adding aggregate. We had a great formula that included Felspar along with silica and SS1h as additives.

Yeah, never buy old ready mix unless you have a way to stir it. Considering where you live I see no reason to pay extra for sand, just spend 20 bucks for a good shovel

It doesn't get any better than a "Razorback" shovel

I was toying with the idea of adding sealcoating and crack sealing to my list of services I provide but just like any other business decision you have to have a customer base that is demanding it. Well anyway this is a moot point until I have the funds to buy the equipment and also the knowledge needed to do the job right so I don't screw it up. Thanks guys for all your input and educating me

Not that much to know about sealcoat, it's really just a type of paint. Most of what you need to know you can get from the supplier, the equipment is a little expensive but you can find it used or make it your self, application is mostly a skill like any other painting.

I was involved in sealcoating a parking lot once years ago where there was 30 guys dumping buckets and pushing around the sealcoat with squeegees but don't remember adding any sand or using any machinery to complete the parking lot