JLG 1350SJP-Making good on a tall order
March 17, 2004 - The market for "Mega Booms," self-propelled boom lifts that reach more than 100 feet, may be somewhat limited, yet there remains an unmet need for high-reach access within construction industry circles. Recently I met a utility worker who was using a 150-foot truck-mounted aerial lift. Usually the need for an insulated aerial device precluded his use of this truck-mounted unit. However, he was bemoaning the lack of available equipment that could be used without outriggers for work at similar heights in de-energized situations. To my surprise, he was unaware that self-propelled units existed above 80-foot platform heights.
Only three manufacturers currently produce Mega Booms, and JLG Industries, McConnellsburg , Pa. , tops them all with a 135-foot platform height machine. The 1350SJP was introduced last year as part of the Ultra Series, which also includes the 1200SJP, a 120-foot model. Both models share the same operational features. Other Mega Booms include the TB-126, a jib-fitted boom lift from Snorkel Manufacturing, St. Joseph , Mo. , and two units, the S-120 and jib-fitted S-125 from Genie Industries, Redmond , Wash.
Part One of a two-part review of the 1350SJP follows. Be sure to watch the next issue of Lift and Access 360 to receive my full opinion and final verdict on this Mega Boom.
The 1350SJP in brief
To break down the model nomenclature for this unit, the first three numbers refer to platform height. So this model has a 135-foot platform height and 141 feet of working height. The "S" signifies that this is a straight boom and "JP" means this unit is fitted with JibPLUST. The jib boom offers 130 degrees of vertical articulation (+75/-55) and 180 degrees of horizontal movement. The dual-purpose rotating jib can also be folded back 180 degrees for shipping. When the platform is stowed, the overall length of the unit is less than 40 feet. Couple this with its manageable gross vehicle weight (44,000-45,000 pounds, depending on option choices) and you have a unit that can be hauled on a trailer without the need for special equipment or permits.
In the platform
When you step into the platform of a boom lift, let alone one that can be driven from 135 feet in the air, you start to think about a lot of things. Is the operation area flat and REALLY firm? Is the wind too strong? Was the unit properly tested and serviced? Is my life insurance paid up? Once you have satisfactorily answered these questions, it's time to slip on the body harness.
As I stepped through the swinging gate located on the side of the platform, a feature you will probably appreciate more when loading materials or tools, I found two well-positioned D-rings to clip my lanyard to. You can't begin to imagine how many times I have operated a boom lift and been unable to make that statement.
Another mental inventory ensues as you position yourself in the platform. Do I understand all the controls? Are there any overhead obstructions? Why am I doing this? When you get right down to it, confidence in the design of the machine is crucial. From an operator's standpoint everything needs to look and feel safe. JLG gets thumbs up for the sturdy and substantial design of the 1350SJP.
Controls
JLG engineers designed the 1350SJP to be as simple to operate as one of its 60-foot boom lifts. Overall, the controls are easy to understand, and an LED screen communicates important information to the operator. Located on the left is a fully proportional combination boom lift and rotation joystick. On the right is a proportional drive joystick topped with a thumb steering actuator. Functions that work in conjunction with the yellow variable speed dial (the one with the tortoise and the hare) are grouped together on the control panel. This design allows the operator a certain amount of metering control over the defined set of functions. On the LED information center, just a few of the items communicated to the operator include fuel level, axle enabled, boom speed indicator, damping, and basket interlock.
To operate the boom's lift or telescope functions, the expandable axles must first be deployed. Even in the tightest work environment, this is so easy to do. As you drive, flip the switch, and in just a few seconds the axles are extended. When deployed, the machine's width increases to 12'6" from 8'2". A boom function interlock is associated with the axles when they are not fully deployed.
When looking down at the base of the machine from the platform I noticed that the axles are offset from each other. This design permits the axle tubes to be parallel to each other and contributes to the small overall stowed width.
Operation
The 1350SJP comes standard with three steering modes-two-wheel, four-wheel or circle, and crab steering. The crab steer mode is self-aligning, which means that the rear axle automatically returns to a centered or aligned position when the operator switches back to two-wheel steer mode.
Increasing worker utility is a standard 1,000-pound restricted capacity platform that can be operated throughout the majority of the work envelope. The unrestricted platform capacity is 500 pounds. Both work envelopes are managed by Automatic Capacity Control System (ACCS), a JLG-designed microprocessor. Through a series of redundant safety checks, ACCS adjusts the work envelope to match the selected load. A string potentiometer works in conjunction with mechanical limit switches, which feed the relative position of the boom's extended length to the ACCS. At the same time, a pair of electronic slope sensors-one measuring ascending and one descending slope-communicates the boom elevation to the ACCS. As you approach the limit of the work envelope, the system visually and audibly warns the operator. It also automatically slows the unit down to "snail" mode. Incorporating the snail or creep mode is a great feature. At 135 feet you don't want any surprises, especially the boom coming to an unexpected and abrupt stop. As the platform is raised or lowered, the ACCS automatically extends or retracts the boom and the platform is automatically kept within the working envelope.
Also contributing to increased worker productivity is the optional SkyPower accessory, with which the test unit was equipped. SkyPower includes a hydraulically powered 7,500 watt generator, an integrated airline, and boom wiring terminating in outlets at the platform. When so equipped, the boom lift can be fitted with JLG's SkyWelder, SkyBright, and SkyCutter packages.
JLG has done away with the more traditional master/slave hydraulic cylinder system for leveling the platform in favor of an electronic system. This system uses gravitational forces to determine levelness rather than using the chassis as its measuring stick. This improves operator comfort when negotiating steep inclines. It also eliminates the need for hundreds of feet of hose and hundreds of pounds of excess weight in the boom. The 1350SJP is also equipped with swing speed proportioning control, which maintains a constant platform swing speed as the boom rotates horizontally regardless of the platform's radius. Speed is reduced as the boom extends so that the platform always moves at a constant rate.
Although I didn't have an opportunity to try it out on the flat asphalt storage yard, the 1350SJP features an oscillating axle with 12 inches (+6/-6) of movement for a smoother ride. Unlike most other JLG boom lifts on which the axles float when the boom is up, axle oscillation on the 1350SJP only occurs when the boom is fully retracted and positioned below about 12 degrees. (This is common to both Ultra Series models.) Within these parameters, however, it is available through the full 360 degrees of rotation.
A Deutz BF4M 2011 87 hp engine powers dual hydrostatic drive pumps. One pump turns the two drive motors on the left side of the machine while the other operates the two motors on the right. These deliver a massive 48.2 GPM of combined maximum flow at 5,000 PSI. Four wheel motors drive 88.1/1 ratio planetary reduction hubs. The entire drive system is supplied by Rexroth. Non-drive functions are powered by a third Rexroth variable displacement pump that produces 22 GPM at 3,400 PSI.
Foam-filled OTR Outrigger tires provide traction and stability on the ground. JLG claims 45-degree grade-ability. Although I was unable to test this claim, my experience with other JLG products is that their published grade-ability is usually on the conservative side.
Maintaining your JLG 1350SJP
JLG continues to strive to lower the cost of ownership of all its products, and often it's the little things that mean a lot, such as how easy it is to replace decals. The large fiberglass hoods seem quite durable, but it stands to reason, that they will need to be replaced from time to time. Each hood is made of two equally-sized pieces that attach to a steel skeleton with easy-to-remove nuts and flanges. It wouldn't take much effort to replace these in the field.
In my opinion, nobody needs to be getting under these hoods except authorized individuals. The only thing that really needs daily access is the fuel fill, which extends to the exterior of the unit through a portal on the hood. With that in mind, it would be nice if these hoods were lockable for security purposes. All service points for the engine are located outboard and all hydraulic filters, plus the two remote swing bearing grease points, are adequately identified. Incidentally, the swing bearing is the only item on the unit that needs to be greased.
I also took a few minutes to look beyond the grease and grime at the more sophisticated aspects of the 1350SJP. A 12-volt based control system provides simplicity in viewing and adjusting the various personality settings for smooth control of acceleration, deceleration, creep, as well as minimum and maximum speed for all boom, drive, and steering functions. The system controls the voltage output to the valves and pump, as programmed for smooth operation and maximum cycle time. In addition, ground control speeds for all boom functions can be programmed. A built-in LED screen indicates any faults. The system stores the recent fault history of the machine, and this information can be retrieved for troubleshooting. The system is accessed by using a hand-held analyzer, which displays two lines of information while scrolling through the LCD screen. Link points are located at both the ground and platform control stations. A true CANbus (Control Area Network) system simplifies the troubleshooting process.
The extensive service manual is a great tool. Yet, as good as this manual is, you don't want to just let any technician work on this machine. If you plan on owning one of these Mega Booms, make sure you get your people certified at the factory. It's free! Go to www.jlg.com for more information on the 1350SJP and available accessories.
Only three manufacturers currently produce Mega Booms, and JLG Industries, McConnellsburg , Pa. , tops them all with a 135-foot platform height machine. The 1350SJP was introduced last year as part of the Ultra Series, which also includes the 1200SJP, a 120-foot model. Both models share the same operational features. Other Mega Booms include the TB-126, a jib-fitted boom lift from Snorkel Manufacturing, St. Joseph , Mo. , and two units, the S-120 and jib-fitted S-125 from Genie Industries, Redmond , Wash.Part One of a two-part review of the 1350SJP follows. Be sure to watch the next issue of Lift and Access 360 to receive my full opinion and final verdict on this Mega Boom.
The 1350SJP in brief
To break down the model nomenclature for this unit, the first three numbers refer to platform height. So this model has a 135-foot platform height and 141 feet of working height. The "S" signifies that this is a straight boom and "JP" means this unit is fitted with JibPLUST. The jib boom offers 130 degrees of vertical articulation (+75/-55) and 180 degrees of horizontal movement. The dual-purpose rotating jib can also be folded back 180 degrees for shipping. When the platform is stowed, the overall length of the unit is less than 40 feet. Couple this with its manageable gross vehicle weight (44,000-45,000 pounds, depending on option choices) and you have a unit that can be hauled on a trailer without the need for special equipment or permits.In the platform
When you step into the platform of a boom lift, let alone one that can be driven from 135 feet in the air, you start to think about a lot of things. Is the operation area flat and REALLY firm? Is the wind too strong? Was the unit properly tested and serviced? Is my life insurance paid up? Once you have satisfactorily answered these questions, it's time to slip on the body harness.
As I stepped through the swinging gate located on the side of the platform, a feature you will probably appreciate more when loading materials or tools, I found two well-positioned D-rings to clip my lanyard to. You can't begin to imagine how many times I have operated a boom lift and been unable to make that statement.
Another mental inventory ensues as you position yourself in the platform. Do I understand all the controls? Are there any overhead obstructions? Why am I doing this? When you get right down to it, confidence in the design of the machine is crucial. From an operator's standpoint everything needs to look and feel safe. JLG gets thumbs up for the sturdy and substantial design of the 1350SJP.
Controls
JLG engineers designed the 1350SJP to be as simple to operate as one of its 60-foot boom lifts. Overall, the controls are easy to understand, and an LED screen communicates important information to the operator. Located on the left is a fully proportional combination boom lift and rotation joystick. On the right is a proportional drive joystick topped with a thumb steering actuator. Functions that work in conjunction with the yellow variable speed dial (the one with the tortoise and the hare) are grouped together on the control panel. This design allows the operator a certain amount of metering control over the defined set of functions. On the LED information center, just a few of the items communicated to the operator include fuel level, axle enabled, boom speed indicator, damping, and basket interlock.To operate the boom's lift or telescope functions, the expandable axles must first be deployed. Even in the tightest work environment, this is so easy to do. As you drive, flip the switch, and in just a few seconds the axles are extended. When deployed, the machine's width increases to 12'6" from 8'2". A boom function interlock is associated with the axles when they are not fully deployed.When looking down at the base of the machine from the platform I noticed that the axles are offset from each other. This design permits the axle tubes to be parallel to each other and contributes to the small overall stowed width.
Operation
The 1350SJP comes standard with three steering modes-two-wheel, four-wheel or circle, and crab steering. The crab steer mode is self-aligning, which means that the rear axle automatically returns to a centered or aligned position when the operator switches back to two-wheel steer mode.
Increasing worker utility is a standard 1,000-pound restricted capacity platform that can be operated throughout the majority of the work envelope. The unrestricted platform capacity is 500 pounds. Both work envelopes are managed by Automatic Capacity Control System (ACCS), a JLG-designed microprocessor. Through a series of redundant safety checks, ACCS adjusts the work envelope to match the selected load. A string potentiometer works in conjunction with mechanical limit switches, which feed the relative position of the boom's extended length to the ACCS. At the same time, a pair of electronic slope sensors-one measuring ascending and one descending slope-communicates the boom elevation to the ACCS. As you approach the limit of the work envelope, the system visually and audibly warns the operator. It also automatically slows the unit down to "snail" mode. Incorporating the snail or creep mode is a great feature. At 135 feet you don't want any surprises, especially the boom coming to an unexpected and abrupt stop. As the platform is raised or lowered, the ACCS automatically extends or retracts the boom and the platform is automatically kept within the working envelope.
Also contributing to increased worker productivity is the optional SkyPower accessory, with which the test unit was equipped. SkyPower includes a hydraulically powered 7,500 watt generator, an integrated airline, and boom wiring terminating in outlets at the platform. When so equipped, the boom lift can be fitted with JLG's SkyWelder, SkyBright, and SkyCutter packages.JLG has done away with the more traditional master/slave hydraulic cylinder system for leveling the platform in favor of an electronic system. This system uses gravitational forces to determine levelness rather than using the chassis as its measuring stick. This improves operator comfort when negotiating steep inclines. It also eliminates the need for hundreds of feet of hose and hundreds of pounds of excess weight in the boom. The 1350SJP is also equipped with swing speed proportioning control, which maintains a constant platform swing speed as the boom rotates horizontally regardless of the platform's radius. Speed is reduced as the boom extends so that the platform always moves at a constant rate.
Although I didn't have an opportunity to try it out on the flat asphalt storage yard, the 1350SJP features an oscillating axle with 12 inches (+6/-6) of movement for a smoother ride. Unlike most other JLG boom lifts on which the axles float when the boom is up, axle oscillation on the 1350SJP only occurs when the boom is fully retracted and positioned below about 12 degrees. (This is common to both Ultra Series models.) Within these parameters, however, it is available through the full 360 degrees of rotation.
A Deutz BF4M 2011 87 hp engine powers dual hydrostatic drive pumps. One pump turns the two drive motors on the left side of the machine while the other operates the two motors on the right. These deliver a massive 48.2 GPM of combined maximum flow at 5,000 PSI. Four wheel motors drive 88.1/1 ratio planetary reduction hubs. The entire drive system is supplied by Rexroth. Non-drive functions are powered by a third Rexroth variable displacement pump that produces 22 GPM at 3,400 PSI.Foam-filled OTR Outrigger tires provide traction and stability on the ground. JLG claims 45-degree grade-ability. Although I was unable to test this claim, my experience with other JLG products is that their published grade-ability is usually on the conservative side.
Maintaining your JLG 1350SJP
JLG continues to strive to lower the cost of ownership of all its products, and often it's the little things that mean a lot, such as how easy it is to replace decals. The large fiberglass hoods seem quite durable, but it stands to reason, that they will need to be replaced from time to time. Each hood is made of two equally-sized pieces that attach to a steel skeleton with easy-to-remove nuts and flanges. It wouldn't take much effort to replace these in the field.In my opinion, nobody needs to be getting under these hoods except authorized individuals. The only thing that really needs daily access is the fuel fill, which extends to the exterior of the unit through a portal on the hood. With that in mind, it would be nice if these hoods were lockable for security purposes. All service points for the engine are located outboard and all hydraulic filters, plus the two remote swing bearing grease points, are adequately identified. Incidentally, the swing bearing is the only item on the unit that needs to be greased.
I also took a few minutes to look beyond the grease and grime at the more sophisticated aspects of the 1350SJP. A 12-volt based control system provides simplicity in viewing and adjusting the various personality settings for smooth control of acceleration, deceleration, creep, as well as minimum and maximum speed for all boom, drive, and steering functions. The system controls the voltage output to the valves and pump, as programmed for smooth operation and maximum cycle time. In addition, ground control speeds for all boom functions can be programmed. A built-in LED screen indicates any faults. The system stores the recent fault history of the machine, and this information can be retrieved for troubleshooting. The system is accessed by using a hand-held analyzer, which displays two lines of information while scrolling through the LCD screen. Link points are located at both the ground and platform control stations. A true CANbus (Control Area Network) system simplifies the troubleshooting process.
The extensive service manual is a great tool. Yet, as good as this manual is, you don't want to just let any technician work on this machine. If you plan on owning one of these Mega Booms, make sure you get your people certified at the factory. It's free! Go to www.jlg.com for more information on the 1350SJP and available accessories.
