Equipment Finders pushes up jobsite safety

Equipment Finders Inc (EFI), a Nashville, USA-based construction equipment rental centre, has expanded its product offering by introducing a fleet of push-around scissor lifts from Hy-Brid Lifts. Push-around lifts continue gaining traction as contractors do their part to reduce accidents by limiting the use of ladders on job sites. EFI’s introduction of these lifts, which included the new PA-1030, was initially based on a request from one of their largest customers. Now through continuing to educate safety directors and local contractors, they have seen a greater adoption of the product. The PA-1030 is part of Hy-Brid Lifts’ Push-Around Series of lifts that was recently introduced to the market.

“The demand for these machines was originally fuelled from general contractors’ efforts to create a safer work zone on jobsites,” said Scott Hatcher, Equipment Finders’ president. “We have been renting Hy-Brid Lift units for many years, and when they introduced the new PA-1030, we felt it was a natural progression to add these machines to our fleet given those current safety trends.”

Many rental centres around the US, including EFI, are finding that customers are getting on board with the “ladders last” mentality. Replacing ladders and scaffolding on jobsites with push-around lifts can result in fewer accidents, additional productivity and reduced fatigue.

“Some contractors are under regulations that require them to use push-around lifts onsite,” Hatcher said. “But now we believe they are finding that push around lifts are a better solution for what they are doing than what they have used in the past. They are not just using them because they are forced to; they are choosing the machines as a better solution.”

Hy-Brid Lifts push-around lifts have a smaller footprint and numerous features that make them a useful addition for rental centres. The PA-1030 enables users to manually manoeuvre the unit into place and hydraulically raise and lower to the desired work height. The equipment features a 10ft platform height and a 16ft working height. The platform is 41in long by 20.5in wide, and the total stowed height is only 69in.

“Electricians, mechanical contractors and security system contractors are just the beginning of the type of customers who experience the benefits of our push-around lifts,” said Terry Dolan, Hy-Brid Lifts president and CEO. “Users can quickly push and relocate the lift without the hassle of manoeuvring a ladder or disassembling and assembling scaffolding. The units increase safety on jobsites, and we are dedicated to developing the safest options for operators. It is great to see that EFI’s customers are realising the benefits of low-level access.”

Besides purchasing a large number of PA-1030 lifts, EFI has a variety of other Hy-Brid Lift models in stock. The company also recently placed an order for Hy-Brid Lifts’ brand-new PS-1930 lifts.