Haulotte launches anti-entrapment system for booms

Haulotte Group used the opening day of the Vertikal Days show in the UK to launch its own entrapment prevention system.

The company’s ACTIV’Shield system operates via a movable bar that will stop operation when pushed forward by the operator, but differs from other solutions in that the bar can continue to move forwards after the stop signal. Haulotte calls this additional feature the Safety Gap.

Once triggered, only reversing or lowering movements are allowed “allowing the possibly panicked operator to get out of trouble without making the situation worse”, said Haulotte.

The system will be available from October and will also be supplied for retrofitting on older booms from 2008 year onwards.

The launch of the system follows that of several other manufacturers and rental companies in the UK, including Nationwide, JLG and AFI-Uplift (who subsequently sold their system to a third part supplier).

Craig Bentley, general manager of Haulotte UK, said; “We see this as a significant step forward in reducing the risk of operator entrapment, and we have approached the issue with the operator firmly in mind.

“With our innovative Safety gap we have gone much further than current industry requirements and given the operator the opportunity to not only potentially prevent a full entrapment situation, but also the means to self-rescue should one occur.”