Boom without the Bang

US company, MLE

(Man Material

Lift Engineering),

specialises in access

machinery specifi cally

designed for

particular industrial

environments, either

modifying standard machines or building bespoke

units.

Most recently MLE has developed the A30JEX

articulated boom lift for Class 1 Division

hazardous environments. This means the machine

can be used where ignitable concentrations of

fl ammable gases, vapours or liquids can exist

all or some of the time under normal conditions.

The machine is suitable for applications such

as painting, oil and gas processing and in gas

storage locations.

The A30JEX is 1.22 m wide and has a 9.1 m

platform height and 6.7 m of side reach, which

includes the rotate-to-the-side jib. JLG supplies

its electrically-powered boom assembly.

The most recent machine was built for N.

J. McCutchen Inc, a custom metal fabrication

specialist in Stockton, California, whose services

include sandblasting, painting and welding.

MLE designs and manufactures from the ground

up as well as modifi es existing lifts, "In fact,"

says Greg Irby, sales coordinator at MLE, "most

of our specialty Man lifts such as: (EX) explosion

proof manlifts, electrically insulated manlifts, air

powered manlifts, cleanroom manlifts and electric

powered manlifts use the base machines of JLG,

Genie Industries, Skyjack and others."

The A30JEX uses intrinsically safe controls, the

motor is housed in an explosion proof enclosure

and the battery boxes are designed in accordance

with UL583 and have specifi c thicknesses and

openings to prevent accidental arcing from

objects touching the battery. There is also an

automatic shut-off in case the lid is opened during

operation.

The main power wiring and electrical

components are enclosed in a rigid conduit or

explosion proof enclosures. The electrical wiring

to all switches is powered by a safe amplifi er that

limits voltage and current to very low values.