VERTICAL MASTS
15
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014
access
INTERNATIONAL
Making space
Like many sectors, vertical masts are waiting in the wings to move into
emerging markets. In mature markets there is a debate over the need
for taller, higher capacity machines.
Euan Youdale
reports.
significant from an environmental standpoint
and a leak standpoint.”
Mr Ford added that JLG will launch more
vertical mast products, with information
coming available in the very near future.
Low maintenance
French manufacturer ATN’s latest model is
the PIAF 1100R, also launched last year. It
offers a combination of 11 m working height
and a 3.74 m horizontal outreach, says the
company. ATN’s Elisabet Torras Xalma adds,
“This machine is innovative thanks to its 100%
hydraulic system, reducing maintenance to
minimum requirements.”
The company is now developing more
mast booms, this time smaller than the PIAF
range. One of them will be launched at
APEX 2014 in June, with the company’s now
customary 100% hydraulic system and ease
of maintenance. ATN is also working on a
compact boom with 7.5 m working height,
80 cm width, weighing less than one tonne.
T
o start things off, let’s talk about the
latest products on the vertical mast
scene; including those that have been
launched in the last 12 months and others that
will be introduced soon.
Early last year JLG launched the Toucan
12E and 12E plus specifically for the
European market.They top the series and
have a 11.83 m and 12.65 m working height,
respectively. Platform size is 1.07 m x 0.70 m
for both, while outreach is 5.10 m and 6.05
m, respectively. Features across the Toucan
series includes tight turning radius and easy
movement in narrow aisles and confined spaces,
along with easier servicing, with quick access to
major system components.
One of the biggest innovations has been
JLG’s move to offer direct brushless AC electric
drive. “Two major advantages of this are nearly
80% reduction in the number of hoses on the
machines, and about a third of the hydraulic
fluid, from about 45 litres to 15 litres,” says
Jeff Ford, JLG global product director, “This is
>
Bravi Platforms has rebranded its Caddy vertical mast, renaming it Sprint, following a major update.
The Sprint will be shown for the first time at the Executive Hire Show in the UK during February, together
with current products Leonardo HD and the Spin-Go. It will also be shown at Modex, in Atlanta, USA, in
March.
The Caddy was launched about five years ago and has seen significant sales in the retail sector, said the
manufacturer.
“The intensive use our customers made of this
product over the last four years, particularly in
DIY and hardware stores, highlighted some areas
where it was possible to make improvements”, said
Marina Torres, Bravi sales manager.
With this in mind, Bravi has been working on the
Sprint and other company updates over the last 12
months, including a software upgrade introduced in
June 2013.
Other improvements to the Sprint include new
carbon canopies resistant to shock, scratches
and other damage. The canopy has also been
redesigned so that its contents are completely
enclosed, protecting it from the smallest of debris.
There have also been improvements to
ergonomics: drivability has improved with a shorter
chassis (10 cm shorter than the current version),
adding increased visibility for the operator in driving
position. The machine also offers bigger casters
(250 mm diameter, instead of the current 200 mm),
and the LED fleshing light is fully integrated in the
carbon canopy.
SPRINT REPLACES CADDY
It will be available at the end of this year,
but no further details about either of these
machines are available yet.
Manitou is also keeping its latest project
under wraps, except to say that it will be for the
airline sector. Manitou’s François Desbrière
says, “We are realising a special model which
can be used for the maintenance of aircraft
engines under the bonnet of the engine.”More
details will be available later in the first quarter
of this year.
One of the main features of both its existing
two masts, the 80VJR and 100VJR, is the use
of lifting cylinders without chains. Desbrière
adds, “This limits the maintenance and the
moving parts.”
ATN’s PIAF 880 R
ATN is working towards emerging
markets with its complete range
