LAPV looks at some prime examples of access platforms, maintenance platforms and HGV tail lifts.
Upright Powered Access
Re-launched in April at Bauma (the colossal construction exhibition in Munich), the popular AB46 Boom Lift is regarded as a tried-and-tested selfpropelled, articulated boom which offers a working height of 16 metres and outreach of 17.5 metres. With zero tail swing, it is said to be an ideal product for working in tight spaces.
“The articulated/telescopic boom configuration and 140°, 1.5m unit offer 'up-and-over' capabilities and excellent manoeuvrability, while the 'legendary' lift speed means it reaches the work area much faster than its competitors,” says Upright.
“We have already received preorders for over 100 AB46 machines, and full line production will begin later in the year,” Richard Tindale, product and business development manager comments.
“We have made a few minor improvements, but really it did not take a lot of work to bring the AB46 back. It is well-proven, with a huge global fan base.”
The machine is available in two versions initially: the AB46E electric 2WD, and the AB46RT diesel 4WD. Other new or 'revived' machines are due to follow in the next 18 months, giving Upright a full product line offering in all volume sectors of the self-propelled market.
Genie impresses Europe
Also showcased at Bauma were two new products from USA manufacturers Genie Industries, whose European arm, Genie Europe, sells products to the UK market: the Z- 40/23N Self-Propelled Articulating Boom and, the latest addition to their slab scissor line, the GS-3232 Self- Propelled Scissor Lift.
The former model offers contractors a narrow profile of just 1.5m wide, which allows it to fit through standard-sized double doors, and a tight turning radius of just 0.87m, so it can manoeuvre easily through tight passageways and congested work areas.
“Our research showed a market demand for a boom with a profile under 1.52m maximum and a turning radius of under 0.91 metre, so we designed this machine to fill that niche,” says the product manager for Genie's boom line, Phil Harvey.
Genie's big articulating boom
The Z-40/23N features an 'up-andover' maximum clearance of 6.48m, 14.32m maximum working height, and 6.91 maximum horizontal reach. The machine weighs in at 6,908kg, and, Harvey says, offers the ideal combination of weight, narrow footprint and reasonable floor load rating for indoor use.
“A true multi-functional control system allows smooth, responsive operation of several machine functions at once, from raise, lower and rotate to extend, steer and drive ' allowing operators to quickly reach their desired worksite location from the stowed position.”
The model also features Genie's new AC drive system, combining DC batteries with 3-phase AC drive motors for quiet, more energy efficient operation and continuous control of drive speed. “This technology is common in industrial forklifts, but is new to the aerial work platforms market,” says Harvey. “It offers many advantages, including better machine control for maximum productivity.”
New from Gardner Denver
Scott McCall, National Sales Manager, says that the key features to consider when purchasing a good vehicle mounted access platform or maintenance platform are the working height and carrying capacity of both the vehicle and the platform.
“We have just revised one of our telescopic platforms which is just over two years old. The TDA145, which is commonly mounted on an Iveco van, is a platform giving about 1,020 kilos of payload, but also allowing you to work up to 14.5m, with a typical application being building maintenance or streetlight repairs. This unit also has a 'movement-sensing system,' which effectively calculates the weight in the basket, so that it can't be overloaded.
The instant it becomes overloaded it will only allow the operator to bring it back in a safe manner, so it will never become unstable,” explains Scott. “This product is rapidly becoming popular with various LAs, such as Barnsley, Isle of Man and East Ayrshire.”
Gardner Denver produce around 180 machines a year, and a whopping 60% of these go directly to LAs across the country.
Another new addition to the range of vehicle-mounted platforms is the VM135, which was launched at the SED show in Rockingham in May. “Typically mounted on a Landrover 110 Pickup, this platform goes to 13.5m working height and is ideal for off-road applications such as tree work, grounds upkeep or building maintenance.
“The most important thing is to have a product that is right for the job,” says Scott. “This is why we produce a range of platforms, and the best thing is to get something that can do a little more than you need, so your workers aren't tempted to over stretch and put themselves in danger.”
Gardner Denvers supports the Clunk Click campaign, and is encouraging its customers to wear the shorter length lanyards with their fullrestraint harnesses. “When it comes to LA applications, health and safety is paramount,” says Scott. “It is not only the operator who could be put at risk from misuse of the machine, but also the passing public.”
Versalift new Eurotel models
Available later this year will be new and improved versions of one of Versalift's popular Eurotel range of van and chassis-mounted access platforms. Commercial Manager, Steve Kellet, explains: “This latest product update is particularly applicable to the latest generation of light commercial vehicles, namely in 3.5t GVW guise, as it gives back about 60kilos of spare payload, which was previously lost with the introduction of Euro 4 vans.
“We are also increasingly asked for models with a higher safe working capacity within the bucket, so have introduced a larger range of machinery where you can get to 250kg safe working load on new heavy duty versions of our Eurotel range, rather than the norm that tends to be around 200kg.”
Steve also describes another new addition to the range, the TEL34NE 'budget option'.
“This machine was unveiled at the Versalift Open House event held alongside the SED show in May. Both compact and lightweight this style of machine means it can be mounted on to smaller chassis cabs, such as the Vivaro, as it has no flyboom, with the bucket mounted directly on to the end of the telescopic boom,” explains Steve.
Versalift opened its own doors during the SED show in May, with a big red London bus running customers between both sites over the three days.
“There were guided tours, with opportunities to try your hand at various machines, and the chance to view the progress of our new factory extension, which will expand the workshop facilities by 60% adding a much needed increase in production and service capacity!”
Allan Access & vehicle mounted units
“Rather than try to design and fully manufacture machines from scratch, Market Harborough-based Allan Access's expertise is to bring together leading brands of machines from around the world, in various kit formats,” explains Managing Director Phil Allan. “We then set about manufacturing the base to match the vehicle and platform upperstructures, and then mount the complete unit onto suitable vehicle chassis and bases.”
The brands associated with Allan Access are Niftylift in the UK, where a worldwide agreement is in place for all Nifty vehicle-mounted products to be marketed by Allan Access. Further, an exclusive agreement for the UK and Ireland with Socage, part of the European company of the FASSI Group, exists, where the smaller range of products, especially for 3.5 tonne chassis cabs are mounted in Market Harborough, and larger units (up to 75 metres) are distributed.
Finally, an agreement was set up this year with 'the world's largest' group manufacturing access platforms, Terex. Allan Access was given exclusive UK and Ireland rights, together with special European responsibility for the range of Terex Utility products, which include Insulated Boom Platforms for working on live line applications.
“Other specialist products include scissor lifts on trucks, and crawler mounted access platforms, making us one of the UK's leading truck mounted and specialist suppliers of access platforms'.
