Mast boom lifts are on the rise. Although they are still largely niche products in North America, their ability to provide productive up-and-over reach in tight spaces is quickly lifting their popularity among a widening range of applications and users. These relatively little lifts combine a compact chassis with a vertical mast, topped by an articulating jib that supports a one- or two-person basket and provides horizontal outreach.
The Haulotte Star 22 J is one example of these small boom lifts, which was presented at the 2014 Lift and Access Showcase held last October in Las Vegas, Nev.
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The Star 22J is the smaller of Haulotte's two mast boom models. The Star 22J delivers up to 20’4” of platform height, 10’6” of horizontal reach, and 15’8” of up-and-over clearance with 441 lbs. of unrestricted platform capacity. Haulotte’s higher-reaching Star 26J has a maximum platform height of 26’3” and a maximum capacity of 500 lbs. It is essentially the same machine as the Star 22J shown at Showcase, except that it has a taller vertical mast and extra counterweight.
Haulotte introduced the ANSI version of the Star 22J to North America in 2012. Although Haulotte’s Star Series mast boom lifts are still niche products, they are finding their way into new applications. While presenting the Star 22J at Showcase, Tom Bell, Haulotte’s general manager for Canada, said the company is still building market awareness of the Star Series. “They are still considered niche products, but we’re finding new applications,” he says.
Bell added that the mast boom lifts are becoming popular in a number of uses, including in bakeries and other food-preparation facilities that emphasize cleanliness. “They can be equipped with food-grade oil to make them even cleaner,” he said.
Bell said that these units can be found in general rental fleets, but that many users have them on long-term rental, and about half of users buy the machines outright.
Haulotte builds the Star 22J and Star 26J in Europe and imports them to North America. Sales, service, parts support, and training are provided by Haulotte’s North American subsidiary, which is headquartered in Archbold, Ohio, and has a major support and training center in Frederick, Md.
The Star 22J, demonstrated at Showcase, packs 20’4” of platform height, 10’6” of horizontal reach, 15’6” of up-and-over clearance, and 441 lbs. of platform capacity into a compact package.
Stowed for travel or transport, it measures 3’3” wide, 8’10” long, and 6’6” tall. It fits through a double doorway and weighs 5,909 lbs. Its 3’11” wheelbase and 6’2” outside turning radius let it maneuver easily through narrow spaces.
Stowed, it can travel at up to 2.8 mph or climb a 23% grade. It can also travel at 0.4 mph with the platform at full height or full horizontal outreach.
The chassis measures about 5’6” ft. long and features tie-down points. The passive pothole protection is stepped to offer 4-in. clearance at mid chassis to keep the chassis from bottoming out when the machine travels onto or off of ramps.
Solid, non-marking tires come standard. The rear wheels drive and the front wheels steer. DC electric motors drive the rear wheels and are operated by an electronic controller. The front wheels steer and are positioned hydraulically.
Power for all operations comes from a 24V DC electrical system that uses 12 2V 240Ah batteries and includes a 110V 60Hz onboard charger. According to Bell, with proper maintenance, the batteries should last 12 or more years. The batteries power the electric motors for travel drive and a hydraulic pump that powers steering, swing, mast operation, and jib movement.
The hydraulically driven turntable swings the turret up to 345°, non-continuous, and the turret has no tailswing. Ground controls are easily accessible on the turret. They include a key operated on-off switch; controls for the mast, swing, jib articulation; an hour meter; and a battery-charge indicator. Large covers on the turret swing wide open for easy access to the batteries, pump, hydraulic valves, and battery charger.
The rectangular, four-section, telescoping, tube-in-tube mast is raised by a maintenance-free hydraulic cylinder.
The jib boom connects the mast top to the work platform. It is raised and lowered by a single hydraulic cylinder and operates independently of the mast for precise platform positioning. The jib articulates vertically from 70° below horizontal to 70° above.
The platform is steel with a tubular frame and a plate floor. Users enter from the front by way of a mid-rail that rotates upward. The platform measures 3’1” by 2’7” and is rated at 441 lbs. Lanyard anchors and a tool tray are provided. The platform does not rotate horizontally around the end of the jib boom. A 110V power outlet in the platform is standard.
Fully proportional, Hall-effect paddle controls in the platform put precise control and smooth operation literally at the operator’s fingertips. According to Bell, the controls permit one-inch precision in movement. The foot-operated enabler switch is on the platform floor. The control system includes a tilt alarm.
Options include a motion alarm, motion flashing light, air line to the platform, 55W work light on the platform, transparent upper control box cover, centralized battery filling, and lifting lugs on the mast base.
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