KHL Group - Access

The Access International New Product of the Year

Edmolift (T-zip Micro)
Another innovative product for the commercial industrial access sector, the T-zip Micro from Edmolift in the UK is a 3.3 metre working height lift that weighs just 118 kilograms. A push-around model with a battery-powered lift mechanism, the T-zip has been designed to look the part in public spaces, such as shops, museums and hotels – an alternative to the heavier, industrial-looking equipment often used in these locations. Easy to push around, the platform is also simple to use, and with a lowered platform height of just 14 centimetres it isn’t hard work getting into the cage.

Genie Industries (S-60 Trax/S-65 Trax)
Taking an establish product and giving it an interesting twist is what Genie Industries has done with the Trax versions of the S-60 and S-65 telescopic booms. The simple addition of a four point track system gives the machines true all terrain capability and allows contractors to operate all through the year, whatever the conditions. In addition to the increased terrainability, the four point tracks minimises the rocking of the machine that you can get with full length tracks – making life more comfortable for operators.

In addition, Genie offers a version of the system that allows owners of S-60, S-65 and the Z-60/34 booms to interchange between the standard tyres and the four-point tracks.

JLG Industries (LiftPod)
Like any industry, the access business needs companies that are capable of producing something genuinely innovative. That’s what JLG Industries has achieved with its LiftPod, a small lift that is a safer, more productive alternative to ladders. Its low price – a quarter the cost of entry level aerial platforms - will also help introduce powered access to a much wider audience than conventional self-propelled booms and scissors.

With a working height of up to 14 feet, the LiftPod comprises three sections which are easy to transport and carry – the heaviest element weighs 28 kilograms – and the platform is raised either using a battery pack or by a standard 18 V power tool. The LiftPod, which was developed initially in Australia and launched in the US last year, has already received industry recognition in the US with several industry awards.

Mecaplus
Spanish company Mecaplus is in the shortlist for its self-leveling platform without outriggers. Founded in 2000, the company was created to develop an access platform that would make it easy to harvest fruit from trees. The result was a machine that uses self-leveling axles to automatically keep the base of the machine and the basket level on slopes up to 30% transversely and 15% longitudinally. The axle design eliminates the need to redeploy outriggers when moving to new locations.

Mecaplus’s sister company, farm contractor Multipoda, has successfully used the platforms, and the manufacturer is now further developing the platform for more general access applications.

Niftylift (Height Rider HR21DE Bi-Energy)
The Height Rider 21 Bi-Energy was the big new product last year from the UK’s Niftylift, a company that prides itself on investing in engineering development. The HR21 is a 20.7 metre working height model with a maximum outreach of 12.6 metres, and is notable for its compact dimensions and in particular for its low weight – just 6220 kilograms.

The machine’s power source – it can run either on its diesel engine or a battery power pack – also makes it an extremely versatile platform, capable of working both inside and out. Since its launch it quickly became Niftylift’s best-selling large platform.