CONEXPO REVIEW
27
MARCH-APRIL 2014
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INTERNATIONAL
form
US introduction
Haulotte launched its HT67 RTJ telescopic
boom in the North American market at
ConExpo.
The HT67 RTJ, known as the HT23 RTJ
outside the US, has a platform working height
of 67 ft, 5 in (20.5 m), horizontal outreach
of 60 ft, 5 in (18.3m), about 3 ft more than
industry standards, says the company.
Optional dual load capacity offers lifting
capacity of up to 1000 lbs (450kg), and a fast
lifting speed of just 56 seconds to full height.
Safety zone
The International Powered Access Federation
(IPAF) used the show as a platform for
stressing the importance of safe working zones
when working near power lines.
This was in light of accident data which
points to electrocutions as one of the largest
causes of aerial work platform (AWP) related
fatalities in the US.
Delivering a demonstration as part of the
Lift Safety Zone at the Conexpo show, it
recommends 50ft (15m) + fully extended boom
from electrical pylons and 30ft (9m) + fully
extended boom from cables on wooden poles.
These recommended safe distances meet or
exceed those specified in ANSI standards and
OSHA requirements.
Well received
MEC said it had far exceeded expectations
with the introduction of its 69 ft MRC
609ZRT scissor aimed to compete with
similar sized products on offer in the European
market.The company said it had sold around
three machines in the week leading up to the
exhibition.The boom is cheaper than its rivals
thanks to the high volume levels of the 92
Series with which it shares components.There
is also less steel, as the scissor beams have been
made longer rather having to add extra scissor
stacks to achieve the height – less weight
means less cost.
Joint venture
Oil & Steel introduced two new crawler
mounted platforms into the North American
market, and said it will launch a 69 ft truck
mount in the coming months.
The tracked Octopus 1800 Evo and 2300
Evo have 18 and 23 m working heights
respectively, and join the existing 1400 Evo
currently in the market.They are aimed at the
rising niche area of tracked platforms in the
US.
The 22 m (69 ft) Scorpian 69 non-insulated
truck mount is part of a joint venture with a
IPAF demonstrated the challenges
of working close to powerlines.
Haulotte launched its HT67 RTJ in the North
American market.
MEC said its 69 ft MRC 609ZRT had exceeded
expectation for sales.
See the North America regional report in
the May issue of
AI
for more information
about these and other companies’ plans
for new products and growth across the
continent.
