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Work safely at height
The new Work at Height Regulations (May 2005) will improve the safety of methods and equipment used to tackle work at height, even for tasks just several feet off the ground.
Many installation and maintenance tasks in the airport, construction and security industries are performed at significant heights off the ground. RIDDOR statistics, for example, show that the construction industry accounts for 67% of all fatalities to workers as a result of a fall from height. It is essential that employers adopt sound working practices, rigorous training and reliable equipment to assure the safety of personnel.
Vehicle-mounted boom platforms are tailor-made for many ‘at height’ jobs. They allow fast mobilisation of safe, efficient powered access to worksites in town, country and for repetitive work along highways, such as street lamp replacement. With the benefit of 4WD, they can access work ‘off-road’ on rough terrain.
Versalift offers a full line of van- and truck-mounted hydraulic platforms with a choice of boom configurations for working heights (w/h) from 9m to 23m. They range from 1.2 tonnes 4WD pick-up trucks and jackless 2.9 tonnes vans to long reach, over-7.5 tonnes chassis cabs and specialist 4WD insulated platforms.
The range includes:
- Ecotel ET and NEXS range: low cost telescopic van/chassis cab mounts for the volume market, with up to 12.3m w/h (fixed fly boom) with some models allowing jack-free operation
- Eurotel: high performance telescopic main boom (van or chassis cab), with 110o or 180o fly boom, for 11.6m to 14.9m w/h
- EST46: double articulating/telescopic platform (for van or chassis cab) with 110o fly boom and 16-17m w/h
- LT62NE: a 21m w/h platform on a 3.5 tonne chassis cab
- Specialist and niche products such as:
- insulated platforms to ANSI Category C
- rough terrain units on a Bigtrak crawler or Bremach 4x4
- 1.2 tonnes pick-up trucks with two-section articulating boom, with up to 12.8m (including 4WD off-road vehicles),
- Litetel 3-stage telescoping boom platforms (for chassis cab) with 180o fly boom or 180o powered platform rotation, & 19.0m to 23.0m w/h.
Aerial capabilities
Versalift machines offer telescopic main booms, which give much better outreach in the upper zone where it is most useful. Some have an additional short articulated main boom, such as the Versalift EST46NF, giving an up-and-over capability for even greater versatility in positioning around obstacles. Options include 180o fly boom and work platform rotation for added versatility.
At the top of the range for 5.2 tonnes vans is the EST46NF (with 16.5m w/h and 7.3m outreach) providing a spare payload of 800kg, in addition to carrying a 2-person crew and full tank of fuel.
Ref 24-903-EST46NF
With advances in design, you can now acquire versatile aerial capabilities on lighter, more economical vehicles, which use less fuel and energy. A more compact vehicle will ease access in congested urban streets, relieve loading on decorative paving and reduce traffic disruption from stationery plant.
The Versalift range offers unrivalled working envelopes for machine size. For example, the Eurotel ET36NF platform mounted on a 3.5 tonnes Ford Transit gives 12.9m working height, considerably better than competing machines on the same van. With 7.3m outreach in 2-person mode and around 300kg spare payload, this model is ideal for street lighting. The fully hydraulic, high specification telescopic main boom and 110 degrees action fly boom are other high productivity attractions of the standard ET36NF specification.
Unrestricted positioning
The safe available outreach on Versalift platforms can be used in the upper zone of the platform envelope where it is most useful. Unrestricted positioning in this area of the envelope is essential to many roadside tasks on street lights, signs, columns.
Versalift can fit its Eurotel ET38NF platform, with 14.2m working height and 7.3m outreach, on the 3.3m wheel base of a 5.2 tonnes Iveco Daily. The same reach from other manufacturers would only be available on a 5.2 tonnes Daily with longer and less manoeuvrable wheelbase.
The unique options of a 180o flyboom and powered work platform rotation on the Eurotel range give added manoeuvrability to negotiate obstructions such as branches and telephone lines, making them very popular with local authorities.
Leading spare payload
Versalift provides good spare payload across its range, allowing more equipment and materials to be carried. This can make a big impact on productivity, reducing the number of trips back to the storage depot. Neat configuration of the Versalift platform pedestal inside the van also preserves more storage space, for extra racking, for example. On van-mounts, the platform should rotate above the roof, not close to the deck, to leave more usable space in the van.
Versalift design includes, as standard, many other features for enhanced productivity and reliability:
- Smooth and simple control from one hand proportional joystick control, enabling efficient and accurate positioning of the platform in the air.
- An electrically powered back-up system. This is particularly important when working in remote locations, typical of forestry work. Versalift provides an auxiliary power pack as standard on all its platforms, which is designed to maintain all boom manoeuvre functions in an emergency, not just ‘down’ but also ‘up’.
- Dual controls, with the lower controls on a wander lead giving scope to move several metres from the vehicle to gain good sight of the platform – invaluable in emergency or training situations.
- Low travel height – telescopic machines generally provide the lowest. A compact travel height eases passage of the vehicle in the vicinity of low branches.
- Easy entry into the platform, ideally from ground level.
Manufacturer back-up
Make sure you check out the manufacturer’s credentials in design, manufacturing and after-service. Versalift has a long, successful track record with high profile customers such as BT, SEC, power companies and local authorities. Other considerations that go towards making a confident purchase are CE marking, good residual value of the van-mount, the availability of a dependable, nationwide parts and repair service, and free technical advice, before, during and after purchase. These are all features of the added value, no compromise offering that have made Versalift the UK market-leader.
We have invested in dedicated UK facilities for manufacturing, service, parts and IPAF accredited training, to provide customers with unparalleled support for the life of their Versalift machines. A team of mobile engineers operates around the UK providing prompt on-site support Our service centre provides maintenance, servicing, accident repair or rebuild, plus fast parts delivery from the UK’s largest parts resource for vehicle-mounted platforms.
Jackless van-mounts
Designed to maximise payload on both 2.9 & 3.5 tonnes vans, the ET26/30NE XS van-mounted platforms, with 9.2m/10.5m working height, are a notable breakthrough in the lighter end of the market. The ET26NE XS on a 3.5 tonne Transit, for example, gives a spare payload of 800kg, the best of any compact vehicle-mount.
One of a new breed of compact, jackless van-mount: the Versalift ET26NE XS platform (with 9.2m working height & 5.5m outreach) on a 2.9 tonnes Vauxhall Vivaro.
Ref 24-903-ET26NE XS Vivaro
These reduced weight platforms have also created the UK’s first jackless van-mounts. As one-person units without stabilisers, the ET30NE XS and ET26NE XS still provide a versatile maximum outreach of 6.0m. In towns where the majority of street lights are 8m or less, the 2.9 tonnes stabiliser-free ET26 NEXS is a highly efficient solution. With no jacks to set up, the unit is instantly ready to operate once parked, a big advantage in an emergency. Possible trip hazards to the general public are eliminated and the risk of ground damage reduced.
Insulated platforms
Traditionally used for power line maintenance, Versalift insulated machines comply with ANSI category C (insulated to 46kv) and are typically mounted on all-wheel drive vehicles for off-road use. In light of the escalating costs of insurance and potential litigation, employers are applying tougher risk assessment criteria, leading to increased demand for fully insulated machines, especially in the vicinity of power lines.
The Versalift VOE 3-model range of insulated platforms for 12.5m to 19.2m working height feature a 2-section over-centre boom with 200 degree articulation. They have twin 1-person platforms with individual powered rotation and winch capacity for materials handling from 600kg to 900kg. With the added benefit of a hydraulic tool power outlet on the platform, they provide convenient power supply for powered saws and other lumberjack tools, and additional lifting capacity for larger kit and safe decent of branches and debris if needed.
Versalift also offers the VST range of insulated platforms for 13.4m to 16.9m w/h, featuring a telescopic boom with articulated riser; plus the EST37EIH with 13m working height.
Latest innovations
Walk-in bucket
Versalift’s optional new ergonomic bucket innovates a self-closing, inward opening door for much easier access. It eliminates the duck-under action required to pass under the fixed guardrail of conventional buckets. The solid door offers greater protection from the wind and rain. It also gives operatives a more enclosed feeling and an enhanced sense of security at height. Toe space in the bucket has been improved for greater manoeuvrability. The glass fibre construction bucket features a modified control box with a repositioned and restyled housing.
Versalift’s new ergonomic walk-in bucket.
Ref 25-909-Walk-in bucket
Versalift-BIGTRAK
The Versalift VST240 MHI platform mounted on a 11.5 tonne BIGTRAK crawler provides ultra heavy duty, off-road access. While the BIGTRAK provides the muscle to keep things moving on the boggiest ground, the Versalift VST240 MHI platform matches it with high specification aerial capabilities on top. Fully insulated to ANSI Category C (46kv), the telescopic boom has an articulated riser, providing 14m working height and 9.5m horizontal outreach. An emergency electric power pack, single joystick hydraulic controls and a hydraulic tool power outlet ‘at platform’ are all standard.
The Versalift VST240 MHI platform mounted on a Loglogic BIGTRAK crawler.
Ref 24-916-Versalift-BIGTRAK
Versalift-BREMACH
Versalift has adapted its ET36NF (12.5m working height) platform for the long awaited right-hand drive version of the Bremach Extreme 4x4 (5.0 and 6.0 tonnes models), launched Spring 2005 in the UK. The ET36NF Bremach Extreme machines fill the gap between the Land Rover Defender and Unimog U300 and U3000 entry models. They provide significantly better payload and off-road capability than a Defender, without the leap to the much bigger, pricier Unimog.
The new Bremach right-hand drive 4x4 with Versalift ET36NF (12.5m working height) boom platform.
Ref 25-910-Bremach-front slope
A 12.5m working height and maximum outreach of 7.3m from the agile telescoping boom, plus 110o degree fly-boom and 360o degree rotation, give excellent reach envelope characteristics over alternative machinery. Even with rangy capabilities on the ground and in the air, spare payload is an impressive 750kg. The ample payload, coupled with front and rear power take-off, means that the vehicle can carry and power a wide range of equipment, from wood chippers to road sweepers.
Contacts:
Stephen J Kellett, Sales & Marketing Manager
Versalift Distributors (UK) Ltd - Members of HEMSA
Tel: 0
Fax: 0
Email:
1 Altendiez Way, Latimer Park,
Burton Latimer, Northants NN15 5YZ
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