Issue Date: 19 June 2009
Ref: CTE09/10
ELEV8 INTRODUCES SELF-DRIVE ACCESS WITH CTE UK
Sheffield-based mobile access platform hire specialist Elev8 has recently added a CTE ZED19 and a CTE ZED21 to its fleet of vehicles to build its capabilities in the growing self-drive market. Both access platforms are mounted on Nissan Cabstar chassis which means they can be hired and driven on a standard driving licence.
“We are developing our hire business and wanted to offer smaller self-drive vehicles to meet demand from customers who recognise the health and safety benefits of using powered access when working at height,” says Jason Machin, Managing Director of Elev8 Access Platforms. “The price is competitive for us to buy which means we can hire them out at excellent and affordable rates to our customers.”
Elev8 was established to complement an existing contract cleaning business with the same directors, but also to meet increasing local demand for high performance powered access platforms. The company already operates vehicle mounted units up to a 31m maximum working height.
“Some customers are reluctant to rent out our larger machines with an operator, as they are more expensive than self-drive units to rent,” says Jason Machin. “These smaller models are generally built around a popular commercial vehicle chassis that potential hirers are more familiar with and feel more comfortable to drive.
“The self-drive access platform mounted on a 3.5 tonne commercial vehicle chassis is well-established and everyday sight in Europe but a relatively new concept in the UK. These new CTE units will extend our capabilities in this important and growing market. Sheffield is probably the greenest city in the UK and we do a lot of work with local arboreal contractors as well as window cleaners and roofing contractors.”
Elev8 selected the CTE ZED19 and ZED21 models after assessing a number of competitive products and visiting the company’s main manufacturing facility in Italy. The platforms are almost identical in design and layout with maximum working heights of 19 and 21m and maximum outreach of 8 and 10m respectively. Maximum working load is 230kg for the ZED19 and 200kg for the ZED21, enough for two average sized people and up to 70kg of tools. Reliable load sensors provide users with audible and visual warning if the maximum load is exceeded. Interlocks prevent further operation until the loading is brought back within safe working limits. Simple controls mounted inside the basket and at ground level are identical across the ZED range so that users can easily switch from one model to another with familiarity.
One of the main features of the ZED21 design that interested Elev8 was the inclusion of the flyboom that allows greater flexibility when positioning the platform. With a conventional straight-extending boom the platform can only be positioned in an increasing height. But the flyboom can extend straight out for maximum height or fold back downwards so that the platform can be positioned “up and over” any obstacles located between the vehicle and area being accessed. This also allows the platform to be positioned more precisely and is ideal for many cleaning, arboriculture and roofing applications.
“All of our existing hire units are stick booms but the ZED21 gives us an up and over option,” says Jason Machin. “Selecting the one each of the ZED19 and ZED21 allows us to offer a greater choice to our customers.”
Another feature of both vehicles that attracted Elev8’s attention was the configuration of the stabiliser legs. These are almost vertical when deployed which means they create a compact overall footprint for the vehicle. This makes it easier to park the vehicle close to the area being accessed and is particularly useful when operating at the roadside because there is nothing to protrude into the way of traffic. Both vehicles also having the compact sigma (Σ) boom configuration with full and continuous 360o turret rotation for all-round access with zero tail swing. This means that the whole unit can be operated safely within the overall footprint of the vehicle and stabilisers at all times.