Haulotte pivotal to Dubai metro elevation
27 May 2009
When the first phase of the elevated Dubai Metro is opened later this year, the Red Line will link 28 stations over a distance of 52 km. The major construction works are virtually completed and the finishing touches are being applied to various structures.
The height of the elevated track varies as it weaves through the tower blocks of the city. Fighting for space with the high volume of cars using the roads, the contactors are under pressure to keep disruption to a minimum, which means limited space in which to work.
The plant selected needed to be compact and yet provide access to all parts of the elevated track structure which, can be as high as 35 m. The main contractor for the Dubai Metro is the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Corporation, Obayashi Corporation, Kajima Corporation and Yapi Merkezi Joint Venture. The group has rented Haulotte access platforms from United Equipment Rentals LLC.
The sales executive of United Equipment Rentals said, "Working on the various stations are over 80 Haulotte machines. One of the most popular sizes for the works is the Haulotte H16TPX wheeled telescopic access platform, which is proving to be extremely adaptable for painting the Metro ramps. "
The H16TPX has a maximum working height of 15.4 m, so can reach the highest parts of most of the structures. A 12.3 m outreach allows the workers to gradually extend the boom as they work, without having to travel. With -70° / +70° rotation the articulating fly jib enables the workers to follow the profile of the ramps for safer, more productive working. The 2.3 m width and 6800 kg weight means the H16TPX can work where space is very restricted. It is easily driven to the next working position from the 1.8 m x 0.8 m platform, which has a capacity for two people and their equipment - lift capacity is 230 kg.
On some of the more elevated sections, where the structure passes over major highway junctions, the larger HA32PX with a maximum height of 32 m is being used.
Work started on the metro project in 2006 with a budget of Dh15.5 billion and the first phase is on schedule for handover in September 2009. The driverless trains will travel at speeds of up to 50 km/h and the Dubai authorities believe that the speed, reliability and convenience of the Metro system will result in a significant reduction in traffic congestion that can be extremely severe at peak times.
United Equipment Rentals LLC, supported by Haulotte Middle East, has been successfully placed Haulotte machines in projects throughout Dubai. Arthur Danelian, managing director of Haulotte Middle East said, "In the access platform market, Dubai is very competitive but Haulotte is gaining market share and [machines] are now a common sight on projects including the new Jebal Ali International Airport, major hospitals projects in Silicon Oasis and in the very heart of Dubai.
