If you've ever had to paint a high gable or trim some sky-high branches, you've probably looked at the nifty tm64 as a potential solution to your problems. It's one of those machines that looks a bit intimidating at first glance, but once you get the hang of it, you realize just how much of a lifesaver it actually is. Instead of wobbling on a sketchy ladder or spending half the day building a tower of scaffolding, you just tow this thing in, set the legs, and you're sixty-odd feet in the air before you've even finished your first cup of coffee.
What makes the nifty tm64 stand out in a crowded market of access platforms is the sheer reach you get from something you can hitch to the back of a truck. Usually, when you need to get sixty feet up, you're looking at a massive, self-propelled machine that requires a low-loader to move. That's a logistical nightmare for most smaller contractors or homeowners. This machine flips that script by being a "trailer mount."
Why Towing Beats Transporting
Let's talk about the towing aspect for a second because it's honestly the biggest selling point. If you're a contractor, you know that delivery fees for heavy machinery can eat a massive hole in your profit margins. With the nifty tm64, you skip that whole mess. You don't need a semi-truck; a decent-sized pickup or a heavy-duty SUV with a good towing capacity is usually enough to get this beast to the job site.
It's surprisingly easy to maneuver once it's hitched up, though you obviously need to be comfortable with backing up a trailer. Because it's relatively light compared to a dedicated cherry picker truck, it doesn't tear up the driveway or leave massive ruts in the lawn. That's a huge plus if you're working on a high-end residential property where the owner would have a heart attack if they saw heavy treads on their manicured turf.
The Reach is the Real Deal
The "64" in the name isn't just a random number; it refers to the working height. We're talking about roughly 64 feet of vertical reach. To put that in perspective, that's about six stories up. If you're doing tree work, that's enough to get you into the canopy of most suburban oaks or maples. If you're a painter, you can reach the highest peaks of a Victorian-style house without breaking a sweat.
But it's not just about going straight up. The nifty tm64 has an impressive horizontal outreach too. This is what people often forget to check when they're looking at specs. If you have to reach over a conservatory, a flower bed, or a fence, you need that "up and over" capability. The telescopic upper boom on this model gives you that extra bit of finesse to position the basket exactly where you need it without having to reposition the entire trailer five times.
Setting Up Without the Stress
I've used plenty of older lifts where you had to manually crank down the outriggers, and let me tell you, it's a workout you don't want. The nifty tm64 usually comes with hydraulic outriggers, which are a total game-changer. You basically just push a few levers, and the legs extend and level the machine for you.
The machine also features an "outrigger interlock" system. It sounds fancy, but it's basically just a safety feature that won't let you lift the boom unless the legs are firmly planted and the machine is level. It's one of those things you don't think about until you're fifty feet up and a gust of wind hits you. Knowing the machine is locked in place gives you a lot of peace of mind when your feet are a long way from the grass.
Power Options for Every Job
One thing I really appreciate about Niftylift is that they give you options for how you want to power the thing. You've got your standard petrol or diesel engines, which are great for outdoor sites where you don't have a power outlet in sight. But they also offer "Bi-Energy" versions.
This is where the nifty tm64 gets really versatile. If you're working in a quiet neighborhood early in the morning, you can run it off the battery system. It's whisper-quiet, so you won't have neighbors complaining about a buzzing engine at 7:00 AM. Then, when the batteries start to get low, you can switch over to the engine to keep working while the batteries charge back up. It's the best of both worlds.
Keeping Things Simple in the Basket
The controls in the basket are designed to be intuitive. You don't need a PhD in engineering to figure them out. It's usually just a series of joysticks or levers that control the lift, swing, and telescope functions. They're responsive without being "twitchy," which is important when you're trying to get close to a delicate window frame or a power line.
The basket itself has enough room for two people and a decent set of tools. It's not a dance floor, obviously, but you don't feel cramped either. Most models also include a power line to the platform, so you can plug in your drill or pressure washer right there in the basket rather than dragging a hundred-foot extension cord up the boom and hoping it doesn't get snagged on a branch.
Is it Right for Everyone?
Now, as much as I like the nifty tm64, it's not the magic wand for every single job. If you're working on a site with extremely tight space—like a narrow alleyway—a trailer mount might be a bit bulky. Since you have to deploy the outriggers to create a wide "footprint" for stability, you need a fair amount of clearance on the ground.
Also, while it's towable, it's still a significant piece of equipment. You need to make sure your vehicle is rated for the weight and that you've got a brake controller set up. But if you have the space to set it up and a truck to pull it, it's hard to find a more cost-effective way to get this much height.
Maintenance and Longevity
These machines are built like tanks. Niftylift has been around for a while, and they've figured out how to make equipment that stands up to the weather. The steel is sturdy, the hydraulics are reliable, and the parts are generally easy to source.
If you're looking at buying one used, just check the service logs and make sure the hydraulic hoses aren't cracked or leaking. Like any piece of heavy machinery, if you take care of it, it'll take care of you. Regular grease on the pivot points and keeping the batteries topped up goes a long way toward making sure the nifty tm64 is ready to go when you are.
Wrapping it Up
At the end of the day, the nifty tm64 bridges that gap between small DIY tools and massive industrial equipment. It's the sweet spot for people who need professional-grade height and reach without the professional-grade headache of specialized transport.
Whether you're a facility manager looking to keep up with building maintenance or a tree surgeon who wants a safer alternative to climbing, this machine is a solid investment. It's reliable, it's easy to move, and it gets you where you need to be with a lot less drama than a ladder. Plus, there's just something inherently satisfying about seeing a project from a bird's-eye view, knowing you didn't have to break your back to get up there.