AWP and Telehandler Highlights from The Rental Show

February 23, 2005 • A steady stream of attendees made their way through the ARA's 49^th annual Rental Show, held February 15-17 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nev. According to the American Rental Association, a high-number of pre-registered guests and sold out events, including full capacity Construction University programs, provided evidence that the show would be a success long before the doors opened. For lifting equipment sellers and buyers, a number of new aerial lifts and telehandlers made their debut at The Rental Show.

 

Aerials

Enlarge Image Bil-Jax 5031A

Bil-Jax, Archbold, Ohio, showed its 3632T telescopic trailer-mounted aerial lift, first announced in January, as well as the new 5031A articulating trailer-mounted aerial lift. The 3632T is the long-awaited descendant of the old 4232, with the nomenclature focusing on the 36-foot platform height instead of the working height. Some of the improvements include a two-person platform with a 500-pound capacity, 12˚ leveling capability, continuous platform rotation, and the ability to drive and operate outriggers from the platform when the machine is in the stowed position.

 

The 5031A is the next size up from the 4319 trailer-mounted aerial lift, and it features a 50-foot platform height and 31-foot outreach. A hydraulic jib provides additional range of motion and the hydraulic basket rotation allows precise platform positioning without requiring operators to lean over the rails to line up the boom. The 5031A is available with a 24-volt DC battery power and charger, an 8-hp gas engine, or a dual-power option. Proportional controls are standard. Other features include a two-person platform with a 475-pound capacity, hydraulic surge brakes, and a 110-volt outlet on the platform. The 5031A also offers a 350˚ non-continuous rotation. Tow speed is 60 mph.

 

Enlarge Image Towable scissor lifts from East Coast Mfg. and Design

The new PB18 and PB24 towable scissor lifts manufactured by East Coast Manufacturing and Design, Waynesboro, Pa., and distributed by Mariotti USA, Vermillion, S.D., are designed to be environmentally friendly. The PB18 features an 18-foot platform height and 500-pound capacity, while the PB24 offers a 24-foot platform height with a 500-pound capacity. Both machines are towable without the need for a trailer. Features include 12-volt operating system with on-board battery charger for uninterrupted operation, rough-terrain capabilities, tilt alarm, adjustable lowering speed control, an emergency lowering valve, 110-volt AC to the platform, and a one-year warranty. Optional equipment for both machines include a spare tire, tool tray, work lights, motion alarm, outrigger wheel roller kit, and vegetable-grade hydraulic oil. List price for the PB18 is $7,982, and the PB24 is rated at $9,500.

 

Enlarge Image Genie GR-20

Genie Industries, Redmond, Wash., introduced the GR-20 Runabout™ vertical lift in addition to the Z-135/70 articulating boom lift, first reported by Lift and Access 360 last October. The GR-20 tops out the product line and features a complete redesign that will be carried through the rest of the Runabout family, the GR-12 and the GR-15. The GR-8 will be discontinued.

 

The GR-20 has a 19'11” platform height and lifts up to 350 pounds. Its 31.5-inch stowed width and 53-inch length allows the unit to fit in most passenger elevators and roll through standard doorways. Nine platform options are available, including the standard 35”x29.5” size. The platform step-in height has been reduced to 15 inches. Stowed drive speed is 2.5 mph, and the machine features 30% gradeability when driving on slopes. A new mechanical pothole system allows for two-inch ground clearance. Hinged rear covers allow for easy access to all major electrical and hydraulic components. Large 2.5”x5.125” pockets provide for easy transport by any forklift. In addition, the control systems have been redesigned to share commonality with the company's mini scissor lift line.

 

Enlarge Image JLG Sky Positioner™

Although the only new aerial work platform from JLG Industries, McConnellsburg, Pa., was the Tow Pro™, previously covered in December, the company did display a new addition to its ever-expanding Workstation in the Sky™ product line. The Sky Positioner™ is a device designed to aid workers in handling pipe and ductwork measuring up to 8-inch diameters and 49-inch widths, respectively. The system is comprised of two jacks and arms. Interchangeable pin-in-place heads, one for pipe and another for ductwork, hold the material. A storage location on the jacks is provided to house the un-used head. The two heads can handle up to a combined 1,000 pounds The Sky Positioner is available on the 3394RT and 4394RT scissor lifts. When installed, the device reduces platform capacity by 200 pounds. The Sky Positioner can also be retrofitted on any JLG RT scissor lift built after September 2004. List price is $2,800.

 

Enlarge Image MEC 3247ES

MEC Aerial Work Platforms, Fresno, Calif., introduced an all new “mid-wide” electric scissor lift line, featuring the 2047ES, 2647ES, and the 3247ES machines, the latter of which was on display at the show. These scissor lifts offer 20, 26, and 32 feet of platform height, respectively, and share a common 47-inch-wide chassis. The models feature fully proportional drive and lift functions and all-steel non-skid decks with nearly 40 inches of roll-out capability. True pivot steering delivers a zero inside turning radius for excellent maneuverability. According to Craig Braun, first deliveries of the 3247ES are expected in June. In other news, MEC has now moved its manufacturing operations to the old UpRight facility in Selma, Calif. Its corporate office remains in Fresno.

 

Enlarge Image Niftylift SD64

Niftylift, Glen Ellyn, Ill, brought the largest of its self-propelled boom lifts, the SD64, which is new to the North American market. With a 63-foot platform height and 37-foot outreach, this machine is able to work in rough-terrain applications while providing the same reach as the TM64 trailer-mounted unit. On the platform, capacity is 500 pounds and rotation is 100˚. Overall platform size is 25”x44”. The SD64's stowed dimensions are 6'3”x20'6”. For two-wheel drive machines, the SD64 is powered by a Kubota 722 18-hp engine; a Kubota 1505 32-hp powers the four-wheel drive machine. Safety features include pressure sensitive outriggers, audible and visual alarms, lock valves on all hydraulic cylinders, dual controls at the base and platform, and manual recovery with a hand pump.

 

Enlarge Image Snorkel S2646 and S3246

Snorkel International, Elwood, Kan., introduced a number of new products, including the S2646 and S3246 electric scissor lifts. The machines feature 26-foot and 32-foot lift heights, respectively, and 45”x94” platform with a 36-inch extension. Platform capacity is 1,000 pounds. Stowed drive speed is 2 mph and the units have an outside turning radius of 101 inches. Overall weight for the S2646 is 5,200 pounds, and for the S3246, it's 6,620 pounds. Standard features include a pothole protection system, level sensor, joystick control on a removable console, two-wheel parking brakes, center pivot-type steering, dual-wheel drive system, swing-out trays, non-marking tires, and fold-down handrails.

 

Telehandlers

Enlarge Image Gehl CT6-18 Compact Telehandler

Gehl Co., West Bend, Wis., entered the compact telehandler market with the introduction of its CT Series. The series includes five models; on display was the CT6-18. This unit is the first manifestation of a product sharing agreement between Gehl and Manitou North America. Produced by Manitou for Gehl, the CT6-18 offers 6,000 pounds of capacity, 18 feet of maximum lift height, and a low-profile boom built for the construction industry.

 

Other models in the series include a 5,000-pound capacity CT5-16 with 16-foot maximum lift height and a 7,000-pound capacity CT7-23 with 23-foot lift height. The telehandlers are powered by a Perkins diesel engine package, including a turbo-charged model. The CT6-18 comes equipped with a fully synchronized transmission with torque converter. Tri-function joysticks offer proportional controls of the boom functions and all auxiliary controls. A load sensing pump on the hydraulic system helps reduce heat build-up while attachments are in use, making the hydraulic system more efficient.

 

The Rental Show marked the official unveiling of the VR-638 telescopic handler, manufactured by Ingersoll-Rand, Montvale, N.J. For an in-depth review of this unit, read "Priced for Performance,” Parts 1 and 2, featured in June and July 2004 in Lift and Access 360.

 

Enlarge Image Ingersoll-Rand's VR-638

As part of the growing trend toward more compact machines, the VR-638 is 88 inches wide and stands 94 inches high. It has a 38-foot maximum lift height with a full 6,700-pound lifting capacity. Power comes from a Perkins 1104C-44 turbocharged diesel engine, which produces 100 hp and 304 pounds of torque. A two-speed hydrostatic transmission features inching capabilities. For operator comfort, the speed of the frame-leveling system operates about half as fast when the boom is elevated above 30°. You also can choose from one of two tire options • a standard loader lug Titan 13.00-24 or a more buoyant 15.5/80-24 tire from Mitas.