Aerials Ready for Rent

Despite sluggish attendance at The Rental Show last week, due to the economy and Atlanta’s untimely snow shower, aerial lift manufacturers arrived with a number of new products for the North American construction and rental industries.

A common theme among aerial lift OEMs was to look past traditional product lines and introduce more unique machines to the industry. Product roll-outs at The Rental Show ranged from crawler-mounted boom lifts to towable scissor lifts to sigma lifts. Crawler-mounted aerials also made a huge entrance on the show floor. Read more about these machines in European Aerial Invasion. Telehandler launches, on the other hand, were more conventional and are described in detail in Rental Reach Machines.

First-time exhibitor Toyota Material Handling, USA, Irvine, Calif., came out in full force with 13 machines, including four new electric scissor lifts and one new crawler-mounted boom lift from Aichi. Last spring, Toyota became the sole distributor for Aichi in North America and has established 15 dealers to support the aerial lift product line. New scissors introduced at the show included the 30-inch wide SV1530C and SV1930C and 46-inch wide SV2646C and SV3246C. Platform heights range from 15 to 32 feet. The product line features AC drive motors with brushless technology and a new optional proportional steering system with steering wheel controls and return to center functions, which allows for a 90 degree steering angle. For increased access and productivity, the SV-Series scissor lifts have fold-down handrails and a 3’3” platform extension.

Additionally, Toyota introduced the global SR460CJ crawler-mounted boom lift to the U.S. market, which offers end users compact dimensions with low ground pressure for use in muddy, sandy, or swampy job sites. Tested and designed for rough terrain, the unit has a 13-inch ground clearance and 57.5 percent gradeability. The boom lift features a harsh environment package featuring wipers on the boom sections, boots on the cylinders, and protection on pivots and bearing points. The three-stage boom structure also is standard, which allows for a compact stowed position and permits the operator to have a larger working range without moving the boom lift. To ensure product longevity, Aichi boom lifts (with the exception of the ISR models) include a pull-out hosing and cartridge system for easy maintenance and protection from external impacts and damage.

Custom Equipment, Richfield, Wis., displayed a prototype unit of the HBS530 scissor lift, which is expects to be in production in July. The concept model featured a 63-inch platform height and 30-inch width. Target weight for the unit is 850 pounds. According to Custom Equipment, the unit is being designed to meet the CE standard. The company also has implemented active pothole protection on all machines, including the prototype HBS530 scissor lift.

Haulotte Group/BilJax, Frederick, Md., introduced two new aerial lifts at The Rental Show: the 55XA X-Boom lift and the 4642T Summit Series trailer-mounted aerial. The 55-foot platform height 55XA features 45 percent gradeability, a 33’5” maximum outreach, 4.5 mph drive speed, and a four-wheel drive capability. The use of outriggers on the articulating X-Boom has replaced the heavy counterweight systems used on conventional self-propelled boom lifts. The 55XA weighs in at 6000 pounds and does not require a commercial driver’s license for trailering.

The 46-foot platform height 4642T Summit Series trailer-mounted aerial has a maximum outreach of 42 feet. The standard automatic, self-leveling hydraulic outrigger system allows setup and operation in less than 30 seconds when all four outriggers are deployed simultaneously. Weighing in at 5,700 pounds, the 4642T can be towed with a standard half-ton pickup truck up to 65 mph.

Additionally, the Haulotte Optimum 1930E scissor lift has received a few updates. These include a 3-inch wider platform interior, a longer lanyard for the platform control box, cannon connectors on both ends of the control box lanyard, and a more efficient battery charger. Haulotte reports the 1930E is now being fabricated, manufactured, and assembled in the United States at the Archbold, Ohio, facility. The components are domestically procured, according to the company.

Portable Lift Equipment, Beresford, S.D., displayed its TP9000 towable scissor lift, which now comes with fully proportional self drive with the platform control, which was developed in a partnership with PG Trionic. Travel speeds reach up to 3 mph on concrete or rough terrain. Incorporating 36 safety features, the unit continues to use one-button auto-leveling, allowing for set up on most terrains in minutes. The commercial launch for the TP9000 with self drive is expected in June.

Production started in February for the SJ46AJ from Skyjack, Guelph, Ontario. Key features of the machine include its axle-based drive system and 360 degree continuous turntable rotation, which not only provides benefits to the operator but also adds to the reliability and serviceability of the machine. The SJ46AJ also incorporates the Skyjack standards like color-coded wiring, fiberglass cowlings that can be repaired when damaged rather than having to be replaced, and directional sensing drive and steer.

MEC, Selma, Calif., displayed the electric version of the 3084ES Speed Level sigma lift, which provides quick platform leveling without the use of outriggers. The platform and support structure level up to 14° side to side and 10° forward and rearward. The unit offers a platform height of 30 feet, a lift capacity of 1,500 pounds, optional four-wheel drive, and a standard oscillating axle for a solid 45 percent gradeability. According to MEC, the electric version climbs after and higher than the diesel model and will save the user about $600 to $900 a month in fuel costs.

In addition to rebranding its trailer-mounted aerials from UpRight to Snorkel, the Elwood, Kan.-based company showed its 22-foot towable scissor lift, the Snorkel XT24AL, which combines the benefits of an electric scissor lift with the low cost and transportability of a trailer-mounted boom. The unit features auto-leveling outriggers with a load limiting device, an onboard battery charger, 500-pound platform capacity, and removable guardrails. Options include a tool tray, power to the platform, spare tire, narrow jacking option with reduced working height, and stadium lights.

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