Low-level access lifts continue to be popular due to growth in new construction, renovation, maintenance, and industrial applications. Users’ need for safety and productivity are also helping raise the popularity of the agile little lifts that are so compact they can even maneuver into some service closets.
Although North American laws do not yet say that contractors cannot use ladders in construction, Justin Kissinger, marketing manager for Custom Equipment, which makes Hy-Brid brand lifts, says that many are turning to low-level access lifts as a safer and more productive way to work at low height.
Custom Equipment was the lone manufacturer to exhibit a low-level scissor lift at the
Lift and Access Showcase, which took place in October 2014. The company brought its Hy-Brid HB-1230, a 12-ft. scissor that is compact, maneuverable, and light enough to operate in tight spaces and on finished flooring, yet rugged enough to work in construction and industrial applications.
The HB-1230 delivers up to 12 ft. of platform height, 550-lb. capacity on the platform, 250-lb. capacity on its extension deck, and zero-turn capability.
When stowed for travel, it measures 4'8" long, 2'6" wide, and 5'4" tall. It can travel through a standard doorway, turn in its own length, and maneuver into tight spaces around machinery or even into service closets.
Empty, it weighs just 1,689 lbs. and exerts 138.4 psi of wheel load. With a full platform, it weighs 2,239 lbs. and has a ground-bearing pressure of 183.4 psi. The machine is designed to work on carpets and finished flooring. With its platform stowed, the HB-1230 can drive at 2.2 mph or climb a 25% grade. Even with the platform raised to full height, it can drive at 0.8 mph.
The low-profile chassis gives the stowed platform a step-in height of 20 in. It is ruggedly constructed and features lifting points at all four corners, as well as full fork pockets. The AGM batteries, self-contained hydraulic pump and motor, automatic mechanical pothole protection system, and other components inside the chassis can be accessed through easily removable side panels, but the machine is designed to need very little maintenance.
The scissor stack is designed to be as rugged and maintenance free as the chassis. In his presentation at the Showcase, Justin Kissinger, director of marketing for Custom Equipment, noted that the scissor stack features large 1-1/4-in. diameter pins to reduce scissor sway. He also pointed out that the pins do not need greasing, thereby minimizing maintenance. In addition, Kissinger said the scissor design provides superior stability by maintaining four points of contact with the platform. The scissor raises the platform from stowed position to full height in 18 seconds.
The all-steel platform measures 53"x25" and is equipped with square-tube railing, a full-height swing-in entry gate, and lanyard attachment points. The 30-in. slide-out extension lengthens the platform to 83"x25" and lets workers reach over obstacles. Both the platform and the extension have non-skid flooring.
The platform can accommodate two workers or a total of 550 lbs. With the extension deployed, capacity is 300 lbs. on the platform and 250 lbs. on the extension. The extension is supported on the mid-rails, eliminating potential hang-ups from debris on the platform floor.
Power for travel, steering, and platform raising are provided by a 24V DC electrical system that uses two 12V batteries. AGM batteries come standard to minimize maintenance and maximize reliability.The system includes an onboard plug-in charger. Travel is powered by two DC electric motors that drive the rear wheels, which are also equipped with electric brakes. The scissor is raised by a single hydraulic cylinder.
Custom Equipment’s travel system is unique. Travel drive and steering are provided by the speed and direction in which the rear wheels rotate. The rear wheels always remain in line and do not articulate. Turns are made by revolving one wheel faster than the other or by counter-rotating the wheels. In contrast, the two front wheels articulate freely on casters in response to the action of the rear wheels. The travel and steering system permits exceptional maneuverability, including the 0° turns.
The platform joystick control is fully proportional and fully orbital for point-and-go travel control. The operator simply pushes the joystick in the direction he or she wants to go, and the further the joystick is pushed, the faster the HB-1230 heads there.
The operator chooses travel or lift operation with a toggle control, and either function is fully proportional. The finger-operated enabler switch is conveniently on the joystick. The control box slides onto a support on the guard rails. It can easily be removed to operate the lift from outside the platform and can be removed altogether for secure storage. The ground controls are on the chassis’ right side and lower back.
Options include 110V AC power to the platform, all motion alarms, a tool tray, and an air line to the platform. Kissinger said an optional inverter that will convert DC power from the batteries to AC power for the platform outlet is in the works.
