In early January, Alberta's largest electric company will take delivery of the first 200-ft. Palfinger P 650i insulated truck-mounted aerial lift. Altalink LP, which supplies power to 85 percent of the province, purchased the machine from CraneWorks Canada Inc.
Chris Roberts, president of CraneWorks Canada, said the Palfinger P 650i is just becoming available to the Canadian marketplace. The unit was built and installed this past fall at Palfinger’s Bison Wumag facility in Krefeld, Germany. Prior to its arrival, many utilities reached power transmission lines at height using boom trucks fitted with insulated jibs.
With a 213-ft. working height and an insulated boom assembly, the P 650i is capable of working on live power lines on 165-ft. towers - a size that is now becoming the norm - without interrupting electrical service. The aerial lift has a maximum lateral reach of 88 ft.
“This [unit] is a showpiece for CraneWorks Canada,” Roberts said. “The business is evolving, and both equipment suppliers along with the manufacturers have to work with the contractors to keep pace with their needs.” The aerial lift package was built by Palfinger North America, CraneWorks Canada, and Sterling Western Star.
Lift & Access is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
