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The low-level access sector will definitely become more diverse, even if it still has a long way to go before it is truly recognized and adopted globally.
Nevertheless, manufacturers of universal access equipment see the potential for low-end work and are expanding their scope. An example of this is JLG's acquisition of Power Towers in the UK in 2015.
Power Towers has played an important role in pioneering products in this field. After the company's founder Brian King announced his retirement at the end of last year, the company has undergone a major transformation. He will act as a consultant until September this year and he will leave the company forever.
Jonathan Dawson (Jonathan Dawson) has worked at JLG for 12 years and held various positions. He has taken over the company as a managing director. Another long-term employee of JLG Richard Puglia will join him, and he will be responsible for sales and marketing in EMEA.
The merger of Power Tower and JLG will be the focus of the near future. Consistent with this, Power Towers equipment now has another color scheme, orange and gray, which are closely related to JLG's overall painting. Although traditional Power Towers blue is available on request.
JLG's existing low-level access product Liftpod is a very North American product and has not passed the EN280 standard certification. Its application is relatively limited to do-it-yourself work, so it plans to use Power Towers' expertise and JLG's integrated sales network to promote the concept of low-level access globally.
The company showcased a new product at the executive recruitment fair held in the UK in February. The goal of Power Towers Duo is sign installation and dry lining work, so it is suitable for indoor and outdoor work and has wind resistance. The 5.1m working height elevator has outriggers, which automatically retract when it descends. Duo is a propulsion type, but the platform uses electricity to rise and gravity to lower. The machine is also known as the first low-level access device that can accommodate two people and tools in a basket. The whole device weighs 425kg and is designed to pass through a standard door with a width of 780mm.
This and other products will be produced in Power Tower's new 180,000 square foot factory in Leicester City, England. The plan will eventually match the level of interest in low-level visits to North America in Europe, especially the United Kingdom. There is still some way to go, because the United States is still in a catch-up mode in terms of health and safety in the workplace.
One of the ways the market has developed in North America is through more flexible products that cover a range of working height options. Hy-Brid Lifts' newest and largest scissors is the 19-foot working height PS-1930. It closely follows its low-level access products ranging from 10 feet to 14 feet. "Although many projects can be completed with these lower lifts, the benefits of the 19-foot lift are undeniable."
And, as Justin Kissinger, Vice President of Marketing at Hy-Brid Lifts, added, “In fact, years of research have shown that 85% of entry work can be done with shorter elevators, but the 19-foot market is still the most popular product. Part. The customer requested a higher elevator, so we delivered it."
PS-1930 also complies with the new ANSI A92.20 standard, which requires an increase in the height of the rail, which has led some manufacturers to install folding rails on their machines. "We are able to maintain the non-folding rails on the PS-1930, which saves the operator the time of having to get off the car and fold the rails before passing through the standard door."
In the end, having a machine that can complete multiple applications is the goal of PS-1930, because it can be used for low-rise access as well as for standard 19-foot elevators and the first certified hybrid elevator product for outdoor use. The outdoor use function button limits the height of the platform to 10 feet to allow a wind speed of 28 mph.
PS-1930 is an extremely portable machine. It weighs only 2,000 pounds. This allows contractors to comply with trailer restrictions, as well as restrictions on delicate floors and surfaces.
Another newest product in the Hy-Brid series is ZT-1630. It was officially launched as part of the zero-turn series in October last year, and the company described it as a safer alternative to vertical mast lifts. The 16-foot platform height model provides simple operability and is ideal for contractors working on projects such as electrical, plumbing, drywall, and sprinkler systems.
Genie agrees with this principle. Its 5.9m working height, GS-1330m, was launched in early 2019. It is a low-level scissor lift that can provide the floor area and weight of a vertical mast, combined with the work space, capacity, and space of flat scissors.
Electric drives provide efficient, emission-free operation and extended operating hours. The total weight of the machine is less than 2,000 pounds, allowing access to elevators and other weight-restricted areas. Maintenance is also a key consideration in product design. The unscrewed access tray is easy to access, and the diamond-plated platform surface provides a long-life grip surface without the need to change the grip tape.
Molly Frank, Product Manager of Terex AWP Genie, said: “Whether it’s a data warehouse full of sensitive servers or a grocery store full of shelves, compact machines are favored and are driving the adjustment of the rental fleet mix. The trend of security and low-level access This is what we have seen on a global scale. Many European countries are early adopters who are concerned about safety in the architectural landscape that requires compact, lightweight equipment."
At the larger end of the low-level channel series, Snorkel has also recently expanded its electric telescopic mast lift with the introduction of the TM16E, which has a working height of 6.87m and a lifting capacity of 227kg. The TM16E is rated for indoor use, weighs 1,105 kg, and has a zero internal turning radius, making it ideal for warehouse applications in aisles, especially when equipped with optional picking trays. Snorkel was launched in 2010 and also offers a series of three-push mini scissor lifts, called S3006P, with a working height of 4m and a working height of 4.5m S3008P and 5m S3010P. The platform capacity of the three lifts is 240 kg, and the weight is 310 kg, 350 kg and 370 kg respectively.
ELS Lift, headquartered in Turkey, has expanded its range of low-rise scissor lifts through Junior 4.5. The new 4.5m working height model adds to the existing 5.5m working height Junior 5.5, both of which provide a basket capacity of 240 kg. The compact model is designed to provide easy access through standard doors and elevators. The platform length of Junior 4.5 is 1.07m and the width is 0.59m. Both types of high-capacity batteries can provide longer working hours, and quick assembly and disassembly make the transportation of the machine easier and save time at the same time.
The company added that the Junior 5.5 SP, the third alternative in the series, is the lightest machine in its class, weighing 660 kg. It provides proportional joysticks, automatic salon doors and detachable guardrails to save space during transportation. The diagnostic display shows the error code, charging percentage, working time, and provides quick solutions. With the help of the device's smart charger, the charging cycle can be recorded, and its all-electric battery system is equivalent to a zero-emission product. With the tool tray, there is no need to move the platform while working.
Büşra Örs, a communications expert at ELS, explained that more compact and enclosed work areas and the increase in sensitive ground conditions have increased the trend for low-level access devices. "With this new trend, light-duty personnel lifting platforms are becoming more and more popular in the field of aerial work platforms. Compared with other machines in this category, unlike some larger machines, these light-duty machines can work in confined spaces. , And easy to transport, so they are the first choice in many areas."
Some of these sectors include general construction and contracting, storage facilities, logistics and shopping centers, municipal centers, hospitals, and business environments.
Snorkel also offers the self-propelled mini scissor lift S3010E. This compact lift has a maximum working height of 5m, a platform capacity of 227kg and a weight of 495kg.
The company is also developing an outdoor version of the Snorkel S3010P pusharound mini scissor lift. It will be able to be used in windy indoor areas, such as open doors and windows, and outdoor panel applications. It will be officially launched in mid-2020.
Snorkel CEO Mathew Elvin said: “The UK is still one of the strongest markets for low-level access, but we are seeing an increase in demand across Europe, especially in France. The adoption rate of low-level access products in the United States continues Growth at a moderate rate, especially in high-density urban areas such as major cities such as New York and San Francisco. During the reconstruction of Christchurch after the 2011 earthquake, we saw a significant increase in the demand for low-level visits in New Zealand."
As far as the UK is concerned, Instant Upright has relaunched its low-level access service in recent months. The initial range of electric models includes 6.4m MX1430, 7.8m MX1930 and 10m working height MX 2632 electric scissor lifts, as well as two push models, 6m MX1330 working height scissor lift and 12m ML3330 mast lift.
The company said that the MX1430, MX1930 and MX2632 all use direct electric drive motors and components with good versatility, making it easy to order parts. All products in the new series come with a two-year warranty as standard.
Joe Oxley, the managing director of Instant UpRight Group, said at the press conference, “The company is no stranger to the AWP market, and the current brand awareness is still very high. The return of the Instant UpRight blue machine has brought us exciting challenges. It was welcomed by the whole team."
Instant UpRight and its manufacturing partners in China jointly produced it and stated that it will evaluate and redesign the model based on market needs, adding its own logo to the brand name that is still cherished by many in the industry.
The company has a distribution center in the Netherlands, which will enable it to grow these products throughout Europe. This adds to the company's manufacturing plant in Dublin and complements its two manufacturing partners in China to produce the new series, as well as another production boost model in Finland. Instant Upright told AI that it is looking for other global manufacturing partners, but all products are produced with high quality.
The scissors production line was launched on a trial basis in October last year, and orders are now starting to be seen. "Our idea is to use these low-level access products as a supplement to our core market scaffolding products."
Nonetheless, the company is looking to expand its range with a 10-foot self-propelled mast lift, providing a capacity of 500 kg, and a boom lift, which should complete the range. The new Pro 10 from Pop Up Products in the UK is manufactured in the United States by Custom Equipment, the aforementioned Hy-Brid Lift series manufacturer. The 5m working height Pro 10 scissors is part of the company's IQ Lift series and is the incarnation of the first Pop Up 7. This product originated in 2005 and was produced by Snorkel before Pop Up 10.
The 120x70 cm, 240 kg capacity model includes a series of new or updated features, including a flush chassis design, non-protruding, narrowly spaced forklift pockets for small forklifts, and non-rotating brake pedals and easy-to-roll non-marking tires , There is an easy-to-clean chassis tray, and the ground clearance is 60 mm for easy loading. The rigid scissor packaging design uses the advantages of oversized pins, alloy non-slip platform deck floor, built-in tool rack and glove box. There is also a USB port on the platform controls.
Bravi has been updating its key Leonardo HD mast lift range to increase its residual value. One of the changes includes a new AGM battery and anti-rust wheels, plus a new method of painting baskets, and now has a primer that allows equipment owners to easily repaint themselves as needed, which adds another A simple way to maintain surplus value. The company will also add load sensing to its Leonardos in the next six months, which will increase safety advantages and provide critical data on overload conditions. This of course will also meet the new American ANSI requirements, as well as other related updates, making it a fully compatible machine.
The company participated in the executive recruitment fair in the UK in February, and its newly updated machine hopes to regain its foothold in the market. Bravi told AI that the UK market had declined more than ten years ago, but the machine has been completely redesigned in the following years. In fact, the company has signed long-term contracts with major European leasing companies such as Cramo and Ramirent, and is now seeking to respond to professional companies such as Nationwide Platforms and HSS in the UK.
Podiums is a very British product, striving to meet the British BS8620:2016 safety standard, which has been implemented for about a year, and replaced and updated the PAS 250 safety guide. It includes the dimensional change of the side protection and the requirements of two tests. The stability element of the standard requires that all podiums use stabilizers.
The newest member of Werner's Boss series is Pod 1000, which will be widely available starting in March. The Boss Pod is designed as a compact single-folding device for easy storage and transportation. One of the main features is its all-in-one design with no detachable parts. By putting all the components in one place, it helps to save transportation time. It includes a rotary stabilizer that allows the user to work in any position and an integrated ladder. Guardrails and safety doors provide users with 360º protection, and the automatic closing mechanism allows hands-free use of the doors. The company will launch larger Pods 1200 and 1500 later this year.
Euro Towers has also focused on ease of use in its latest Euro Deck. It is designed as a unique unit, located between the platform and the scaffolding tower, which can be managed by one person during operation, transportation and assembly. The deck has a safe working load of 150 kg and is made of aluminum.
We can see how the impact of low-level access and compact equipment adapts to new areas. An example is the Easy 720 and Easy Gemini 720 from Big Astor, Italy, which have added their ultra-light Genius People Lift series of low-level foldable aluminum clippers. The company said: "Customers seem to be looking for more and more lightweight machines that are easy to use, transport and compact."
In addition to the compact size, customers also require cost reduction. "Manufacturers are always looking for more cost-effective solutions, and all competitors must make adjustments. This is challenging, especially when considering economics and safety."
The Easy 720 single scissor and Easy Gemini 720 double scissor launched on Bauma last year are installed on ultra-light trucks. 720 has two independent scissor structures, which can work at different heights at the same time, and can move back and forth on specially designed tracks. This model has been developed for use in tunnels and works independently at different tunnel heights simultaneously.
The single-scissor structure of Easy 720 is specially designed for any related workplaces, especially in areas with limited space, including street lights in the city center. Both models have a working height of 7.2m and a carrying capacity of 130kg.