Rental Re-Emergence
Increased orders, the re-emergence of independent rental companies, and new product introductions were all themes at The Rental Show, held February 7-9 in Orlando, Fla. Attendees were eager to see new products, do some business, and visit with friends in the industry., Orders taken from rental companies on the tradeshow floor was not an unusual sight.
According to a benchmark study conducted by Global Insights and the American Rental Association, rental industry revenues in 2005 were an estimated $31.1 billion, and the study concluded it is likely that rental will outpace general economic growth by 6% in 2006. Manufacturers introducing new products for the rental industry will help with this growth. A sample of new lifting equipment introduced at The Rental Show is listed below.
Genie Industries
The most surprising news at The Rental Show was the news that the Terex telehandler product line is now branded under the Genie name. Manufactured in Italy, Redmond, Wash., and Baraga, Mich., the Genie telehandler line consists of eight models • the low pivot GTH-6622 and GTH-5519 and high pivot GTH-636, GTH-644, GTH-842, GTH-844, GTH-1048, and GTH-1056 • and will feature the Genie blue paint scheme.
Major design changes in the product line include better service access, a more ergonomically designed cab, Deutz engine options in the GTH-644, GTH-842, and GTH-844 models, and improved operator and service manuals. Service and support will come from Genie field service technicians and factory reps, and engineering support also will come from Genie engineers. Terex telehandler branding is likely to change in Europe, as Genie is now in charge of the factory in Perugia, Italy.
Genie also announced its new S-Series high-capacity boom lifts at The Rental Show. First available on the S-60 HC telescopic boom lift with the option available for the entire S-Series line-up by the end of 2006, the high-capacity boom offers a full range of motion up to 750 pounds • a capacity increase of 50%. It also supports platform loads up to 1,250 pounds when outstretched 40'8” with three people in the platform.
The new high-capacity boom lifts are aimed at operators who need a higher capacity platform to transport equipment and people. Applications may include mechanical contractors, glazers, and brick layers.
Skyjack
The other big news at the show was the introduction of Guelph, Ontario-based Skyjack's boom lift product line. Focusing on Skyjack's tradition of serviceability, reliability, and simplicity, the 40-foot-tall SJ40T and a 45-foot-tall (40-foot boom plus a 5-foot jib) SJ45T telescopic boom lifts offer one-piece fiberglass swing-up cowlings for unrestricted compartment access and a swing-out engine tray that allows for quick maintenance and inspections. The 360-degree continuous turret rotation and 165-degree hydraulic platform rotation provide for continuous mobility. Skyjack boom lifts also come with the unique continuous drive and steer directional sensing, which automatically adjusts the control inputs based on operator orientation relative to the base.
Stowed dimensions include 26-foot length on the SJ40T and 31-foot length on the SJ45T, 90-inch width, and 7'8” height. Gradeability in two-wheel drive is 30% and 40% in four-wheel drive. The color scheme is slightly different, as a darker gray paint is incorporated into the orange and light gray design. Options include a diesel scrubber, cold weather start kits, airline to the platform, and foam-filled tires. The company is also looking at dual fuel engine choices.
According to Dave Stewart, Skyjack's vice president of sales and marketing, the company is looking to ship units in the third quarter of 2006. Within the next three to four months, a 60-foot straight boom lift will be introduced, Stewart said, and Skyjack will be producing a full boom lift product line in the future. “This is not a 10-year project,” he added, noting that Skyjack's boom lifts may be available in Europe by 2007. “It will be more like a four or five year project before we produce a full line.”
The Rental Show also marked the official launch of Skyjack's compact rough-terrain scissor lifts. The compact 6826RT and 6832RT scissor lifts feature a 68-inch width with 26- and 32-foot platform heights, respectively. Standard features include a dual fuel engine, crossover symmetrical four-wheel drive, and a 5-foot roll-out deck extension. On the platform, maximum capacity is 1,250 pounds, and the unit is drivable at full height. These models will be available in the latter part of the first quarter in North America and in the third quarter for the European CE version.
MEC
Previously reported in Lift and Access 360's World of Concrete review, MEC, Selma, Calif., has officially delved into the telehandler market with the TH60 and TH80. These machines were acquired from Volvo Construction Equipment, which had originally bought UpRight's telehandler designs in 2002 and reengineered the machines, but never released them under the Volvo brand name.
The 6,000-pound capacity TH60 and the 8,000-pound capacity TH80 feature a maximum lift height of 41.5 feet, and power comes from a 100-hp Deutz/Volvo water-cooled diesel engine. Deliveries are set to begin in March of this year. At the Rental Show, the TH60 utilized the MEC Viewer, a video camera mounted inside the boom tube that allows the operator to view the forks from inside the cab, as well as see behind the machine when in reverse. According to Jim Tolle, president of MEC, the company felt the addition of the MEC Viewer would improve safety for the operator.
In addition to the telehandler product line, MEC displayed its first mid-range rough-terrain scissor lift at The Rental Show. The 30-foot-tall 3072RT features 45% gradeability with a 73.25-inch inside turning radius. Overall dimensions include a stowed height of 78.75 inches with the guardrails folded, sowed length of 117.25 inches, and a 72-inch width, allowing the machine to fit through a standard doorway.
Other features include a 158-inch platform length when the 48-inch deck extension is rolled out, a 1,000-pound lift capacity, fully proportional drive and lift controls that utilize the same control box as other MEC scissor lifts, and dual-fuel power. Options on the 3072RT are the Quad-Trax four-wheel drive feature, which allows operations to work in extreme terrain conditions, auto-leveling outriggers, foam-filled tires, and 120-volt 2250W generator.
Although not on display at the show, MEC also introduced the 37-foot-tall 3772RT, which is the second unit in the company's mid-range, rough-terrain scissor lift product line.
The Haulotte Group
At The Rental Show, the Haulotte Group, Hanover, Md., introduced the 80-foot-tall HA 80 JRT rough-terrain articulated boom lift, the 22-foot Start 22J vertical lift, the Quick-Up series of push-around vertical lifts, and the XL series of rough-terrain scissor lifts, which includes the HS 3388, HS4388, and HS 5388.
The HA 80 JRT diesel-powered articulated boom lift features a 77'5” platform height with a 53-foot maximum horizontal reach, making it ideal for construction and building maintenance. Its compact size, four-wheel drive, four-wheel steer, simultaneous controls, and large ground clearance allows it to work in tight jobsites. Safety features include continuous optimum movement management, a new platform load controller, 5 tilt alarm allowable in all positions, hydraulic platform compensation, and stability management in all positions for more comfort.
The XL scissor lift product line features a 23'11” platform length with a load capacity of 1,500 pounds for jobs requiring added length, such as laying wall panels or installing windows and sprinklers. Other features include no restriction on extensions and automatic levelling outriggers as standard equipment.
For Haulotte's vertical lifts, the Star 22 J features greater user comfort, a new generator of mast that can be used outdoors with the platform loaded up to 441 pounds, and a new load controller for user comfort. Seven new Quick Up push-around vertical lifts range in height from 15 to 39 feet and feature compact size, light weight, and reduced dimensions that allow it to be transported in a van.
Bil-Jax
Bil-Jax, Archbold, Ohio, introduced addition models in its Summit Series at The Rental Show. Three new articulating Summit Series models • the 3522A, 4527A, and 5533A • were on display, as well as the 3632T, which was introduced at The Rental Show in 2005.
The 37'2”-tall 3522A replaces Bil-Jax's current XLB-4319 and features a maximum horizontal outreach of 22'6” and a 19-foot up-and-over clearance. Taking the place of Bil-Jax's 42-foot XLB-4725, the 4527A provides specs and features comparable to slightly taller 50-foot machines, including a 45-foot platform height, a 27-foot maximum horizontal outreach, and an up-and-over height of 20'9. The tallest Summit Series model introduced was the 5533A articulating towable aerial lift, which replaces Bil-Jax's 5031A. Featuring a 55'3” maximum platform height and 33'5” maximum horizontal outreach, the 5533A offers a large two-person platform with a 500-pound capacity.
Snorkel
As previously reported, Snorkel International, Elwood, Kan., introduced the TB85J fixed-axle telescopic boom lift at The Rental Show.
This unit has an overall width of 8'6”, horizontal outreach of 76'8”, and an overall weight of 38,000 pounds.
Other performance features include the 45% theoretical gradeability, drivable at full height, four-wheel drive, four-wheel steer, and 360-degrees continuous turntable rotation.
JLG Industries
Additions to McConnellsburg, Pa.-based JLG Industries' aerial lift product lines include the 20MVL vertical lift and the E18MJ, E26MJ, and the E33MJ mast-style boom lifts, which were introduced at The Rental Show. JLG's new series of self-propelled mast-style boom lifts include the E18MJ, E26MJ, and E33MJ and feature a vertical telescoping mast with a jib boom that extends the platform away from the mast.
The 20MVL mobile vertical lift is designed for heavy duty with a robust gearbox, drive motor, controls, and battery charger. It can be driven at its 19'6” platform height. Standard equipment includes a 350-pound platform capacity and a 26”x28” platform.
First on display at the World of Concrete, JLG Industries also brought its two new compact telehandlers to The Rental Show: the Model G6-23A and the Model G5-19A. The G6-23A has a rated capacity of 6,600 pounds and 22'7” maximum lift height, while the G5-19A has 5,000-pound rated capacity and 19-foot maximum lift height. Both telehandlers have all-wheel steering and are powered by a 100-hp Deutz diesel engine with four-wheel drive.
www.jlg.com
Ui Distribution North America
Ui Distribution, Fresno, Calif., introduced a number of changes to its 19-foot Ui 1930 X-Lift electric scissor lift. The enhancements include a new control system to provide a smoother operation. The one-handed proportional control is a new standard feature in the UI 12M compact mast lift and the Ground Leveler. Other new standard features are power to the platform, an hour meter, and low voltage indicator and horn.
Up-N-Atom
The Retriever low-profile truck bed from Waukesha, Wis.-based Up-N-Atom replaces pick-up trucks and trailers, hydraulic roll-back trucks, hook loaders, and semi trailers for hauling heavy industrial equipment. It eliminates the costly-to-maintain and difficult-to-operate hydraulic system by using the truck's own air system as the power source to raise and lower the curved, hinged deck and bi-fold ramp. By relying on air instead of oil as its power source, the Retriever's deck operation is unaffected by cold weather. The Retriever is also lightweight and features a low deck height to improve bridge and overpass clearance.
Depending on truck specs, the Retriever's curved, hinged deck allows a loading angle 10.8 to 13.5 degrees, or 19% to 24% grade. Additionally, the curved deck eliminates "breakover" when loading tracked equipment, which saves both the machine and the truck from the typical pounding. A patented traversing winch mount travels the full width of the deck, making side-by-side loading or off-center hook-ups faster and safer. For ease, safety, and security when loading, 41 tie-down points and convenient chain storage are available.
The Retriever is available in three capacity ratings: 7.5 tons for chasis to 30,000 GVWR, 10 tons for chassis to 33,000 GVWR, and 15 tons for chassis to 54,000 GVWR. The truck bed can be ordered with either dual, lightweight, aluminum slide-out ramps, or with a full-width, air-operated, steel folding ramp. All models are available in 18- to 26-foot lengths in 2-foot increments and can be configured for loading dock access.
www.upnatominc.com
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