Boom lifts - new brands/new products

Hy-Brid’s new AXCS AB-43 J, manufactured by Turkey-based ELS.

The latest of those is Hy-Brid Lifts, the US-based manufacturer of low level access platforms, up until the ARA Show that is, which took place in the US during February, where the manufacturer launched a range of new products, including RT scissors, a telehandler and an articulating boom lift.

The move follows the company’s buyout by Turkey-based Asko, which also owns Turkish MEWP manufacturer ELS Lift.

The plan is to sell ELS products in North America as Hy-Brid Lifts under the new AXCS brand name, with the range including the AB boom lift series, starting off with the 49ft working height AB-43J. The model has a 28ft horizontal reach, high lifting capacity and electric drive. 

Growth steps

US-based MEC has also taken a step away from its foundations as a specialist access equipment manufacturer, firstly as a major scissor supplier, through its Dingli tie-in, and now by increasing its own range of scissors and boom lifts, including innovative products designed for the mass market.

MEC’s Dualreach Boom 85-J.

The manufacturer’s DualReach 85-J Boom, launched at the ARA Show, is an example. The patent pending design, allows users to choose telescopic mode for maximum outreach or articulated mode for up-and-over tasks by turning a switch while the machine is stowed.

According to Gary Crook, Vice President of Engineering at MEC, the 85-J represents a paradigm shift in how job sites operate. The flexibility to adapt to different needs without the need for two different machines provides enhanced productivity, especially in complex environments, says MEC.

Crook adds, “There has long been this challenge of carrying both telescopic and articulated booms to meet all customer needs.” 

Apart from an expanding product offering the boom lift sector is seeing the inevitable move to electrification, even if many parts of the world are struggling with a comprehensive charging infrastructure, which is why the option of a hybrid or onboard range extender is widely seen as a safe bet, particularly in Europe.

JLG says the move towards hybrid or electric articulated boom lifts is being driven by the increasing use of these machines in urban environments, with increasingly stringent regulatory requirements, primarily around carbon footprint.

“Not only is urbanisation resulting in less open space on and between job sites, which drives greater demand for high-reach equipment with a compact footprint, but it is also creating a socio-economic impact, too,” says Rogerio dos Santos, JLG’s VP of Strategy and Portfolio.

This is also being driven by the younger generations who are seeking more social responsibility from an environmental standpoint. “As urbanisation has increased people’s awareness of environmental issues there are now more emission-free zones and a call for more fossil fuel independence, driving greater demand for electrification.”

Innovations in 2024

JLG says we should expect new technologies and innovative products from the company this year, which will expand on its range of products, like the 670SJ telescopic self levelling boom lift.

La plataforma elevadora de la serie 600 Self-Leveling cuenta con el primer chasis totalmente integrado y de adaptación inteligente de la industria. (Foto: JLG)

Equipped with JLG’s patented self-levelling technology, the 670SJ, first seen in 2020, is engineered to automatically adapt to terrain on slopes up to 10 degrees in any direction, while driving with full functionality at 67ft platform height. On the underside of the machine there are four independent axles, controlled smart hydraulic cylinders.

In addition, it offers a 73ft working height and 57ft horizontal reach, with 550 pounds unrestricted and 750 pounds restricted capacity in the basket.

“Improvement in user operability and job site connectivity are major focal points as new technologies become available,” says dos Santos.

“These solutions will truly transform how people work at height by increasing productivity and enhancing safety best practices.”

On that note, Genie has this year presented an update of its extreme offroad TraX system redesigned to simplify maintenance while delivering the same performance as the previous version.

TraX is available as a factory-installed option on four boom lifts - two with standard lifting capacity, the Z-62/40 and S-80 J, and two with dual lifting capacity, the S-45 XC, and S-65 XC. It was on display at the ARA Show, in February.

The system is the only tracks offering in the industry that can be fitted to high-capacity machines, says Genie. By allowing the XC machines to maintain their dual capacity, the TraX update increases the flexibility of the lifts as they can be used on jobsites that require additional lifting capacity or have sensitive surfaces.

According to Genie, the system offers an average of 72% less contact pressure compared with standard tyre options. This is due to the broader weight distribution.

In control  A look at From the Future’s promo module for Genie’s new VR Training program. (Photo: Genie) Genie has launched a virtual reality training simulator used in conjunction with the company’s current Train-the-Trainer programme. The first version is based on a Genie Z-45 electric boom, with scissor lifts and telehandlers to be worked on next. In development since 2020, Genie worked with virtual reality development studio From the Future to create its first virtual module. Genie will have around 10 of the headsets at each of its training centres, and 10 available for field training. The company also sees massive potential for VR to be used not only for additional training, but for product development, research and collaboration.

Interchangeable solution

Shifting away from diesel power, and demonstrating the demand for electric equipment with a back up charging solution, Haulotte introduced the 16m working height rough terrain HA16 E earlier this year - the latest rough terrain electric lift in its Pulseo generation range.

The HA16 E offers several charging solutions: main plug, three-phase outlet accelerated charger, or charging with a range extender combustion motor. It is quiet at less than 70 dB in electric mode. The range extender is interchangeable with the Pulseo HS15 E and HS18 E scissor models and future models of the range, and can be installed in less than five minutes.

The HA16 E is also equipped with optional non-marking tyres, a low rear overhang and 4-wheel steer, available on the HA16 E Pro version. It can climb slopes up to 40% and work on tilts up to 5°.

The range extender concept has become a common option and has been taken a step further by Niftylift with its Hydrogen-Electric HR15 H2E, a low-weight, compact, all-electric-drive 15m boom with a 15.7m working height and outreach of 9.4m.

The lightweight HR15 H2E is a battery powered machine with hydrogen fuel cell-based range extender which recharges the battery, rather than using a combustion engine range extender.

The hydrogen fuel cell fully charges its batteries from a G20 Hydrogen bottle, doubling its range. (See the Hydrogen feature in this issue).

On show

JCB showed its latest electric offering, the rough terrain A45E articulated boom this month at exhibitions in the UK, Executive Hire Show, and US, the ARA Show.

The full electric machine, which was launched last year, offers a maximum platform height of 13.84m, 7.47m forward reach and 300kg lift capacity. It is powered by eight 6V batteries, creating a 48V, 400AH operating system.

JCB has expanded its boom line this year.

The battery packs are located on either side of the lower chassis, enabling it to maintain a low centre of gravity.

It has four-wheel drive and two-wheel steering as standard and is capable of climbing up to 40% gradients. The platform itself measures 0.84m x 1.84m.

Other features include JCB’s LiveLink telematics monitoring system for real-time operating data, puncture-proof tyres, slew lock and emergency override.

Dingli offers a comprehensive range of hybrid, electric and diesel rough terrain boom lifts across the working height categories. In December last year the company launched a new mini electric articulated boom lift, which it says is the smallest of its kind in the industry.

The new compact pure electric drive BA11NE is modelled on the manufacturer’s 11.2m working height AMWP11.5-8100 mast lift. It extends Dingli’s articulating boom lift series downwards in working height from the maximum 44m to the BA11NE’s 10.8m.

The model’s 227kg basket capacity, compact design and its ability to drive at full height, makes it suited to tight indoor working conditions, which is also aided by the machine’s maximum up and over height of 3.8m and horizontal outreach of 6.35m. With a 4x2 wheel drive, the BA11NE also incorporates self-weight descend ability.

Latest launches

Continuing its electric offering is LGMG’s latest telescopic boom lift, the T26JE, which will be displayed with lithium batteries, at Intermat in Paris, this April.

It has a maximum working height of 25.9m. It will be joined by a new articulated model, the AR24J, which is LGMG’s highest working height product at 26.6m. It has a dual load design, 250kg unrestricted and 350kg restricted capacity which comes with three steering modes.

As well as internal power supplies, OEMs are looking at ways to minimise the effects of transport costs and emissions, along with TCO for the customer.

Late last year Sinoboom brought a new 14m telescopic boom lift to market, the TB14J Plus, to meet increasing demand from international customers for lower level equipment for work on low-rise construction projects.

The new model features a three-section boom design, resulting in a shorter stowed length. This enables two machines to be loaded into one container or flatbed truck.

The unit is also fitted with a lower-power 18KW engine for simpler maintenance.

Compared with 18m and 20m models, the new lift promises to save on procurement, transportation and maintenance costs, says Sinoboom.

The TB14J Plus is designed for optimal productivity on uneven terrain, with a three-stage loading capacity of 454kg /340kg /250kg, active oscillation, four-wheel drive and 40% gradeability.

The large-format display delivers real-time machine status data and enables quick fault diagnosis, to help minimise downtime. For additional reliability, Rexroth controllers and dual backup chips are installed, and the machine is rated at Performance Level D. (The company has pointed out that blue coloured Sinoboom equipment is not available in the US market).

Production expansion  Apart from new boom lift products manufacturers have been extending their production capacities. One of those is XCMG, which officially opened its second aerial platform manufacturing plant in China late last year. The new factory, covering 170,000 square metres, was built at a cost of nearly RMB2 billion, and will mainly produce booms, including 22m and 28m models. Based 15 minutes drive away from XCMG’s first MEWP factory in Xuzhou, the annual capacity of the new facility is 60,000 units. The plant boasts a large number of automated equipment, including more than 120 robots, 25 production lines and a range of other key processes. XCMG said the facility represented a major move in intelligent manufacturing.