Mecaplus shows new 16m platform

Spanish manufacturer Mecaplus used the first ELEVarte exhibition in Madrid to launch the larger version of its self-levelling articulated boom.

The new ME16SL is a 15.7 m working height unit modelled on the IAPA-award winning 12 m ME12SL launched last year, but with the addition of proportional hydraulic controls and improved outreach characteristics, with full 7.3 m outreach available between heights of 4 m up to 13 m.

Alberto Bayona, a director at the manufacturer, told AI that feedback from rental companies over the past two years was that they needed a larger machine to provide more versatility.

The ME16SL uses almost the same chassis as the ME12SL, although some components - such as the self levelling front axle - are heavier. The unit weighs 5950 kg against the 5000 kg of its smaller brother.

Like the 12 m model, an option on the 16 m unit is the use of crawler tracks to replace the front wheels.

The 4x4 version of the ME16SL will cost around €65000 (dealer price), with the 2x4 model costing €60000. This compares to €53000 and €58000 for the ME12SL models.

Mecaplus's Netherlands dealer HOCAP also launched the platform at the Verticaal Dagen 2010 event just held in the Netherlands.