Are diverse controls a problem? “To a regular operator who has their own machine or always hires the same make or model of platform then it is not an issue,” says Wraith. “However, to someone who uses multiple platforms from different manufacturers or for the occasional user hiring a platform, it could range from being an annoyance right through to life-threatening.”
Since its introduction more than 60 years ago, the powered access industry has grown consistently to the point where there are more than 1.5 million platforms available for rent with hundreds, if not thousands, of different models in use every day worldwide. Most manufacturers have designed controls in isolation, based on risk assessment and their views of what is intuitive, safe and user friendly. But with many different layouts in circulation, it is easy to see how an operator might become confused when switching between different platforms. The fact that most platforms are rented means an operator can receive a completely different platform every time they rent one, even if they always use the same type of lift.
In the majority of incidents, where an operator unintentionally moves the controller in the wrong direction, or selects the wrong function, it comes to nothing more than going up for an instant, rather than down, left instead of right or forward rather than back etc… but there have been cases which have resulted in significant damage to platforms, the work area, or more critically serious injury and fatalities.
When did standardisation become an issue?
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April/May 2020-Ausgabe von Cranes & Access.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April/May 2020-Ausgabe von Cranes & Access.
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The Changing Face Of The Scissor Lift Market
The majority of self-propelled scissor lifts have been electric powered since the market began to take off in the late 1970s, gathering pace in the mid 1980s. With almost 90 percent of all scissor lifts already battery powered we take a look at the remaining 10 to 15 percent of the market that remains diesel powered – mostly full size Rough Terrain models. This, along with a look at some of the latest new product launches in the rest of the scissor lift market.
Wind safety developments
A serious wind farm accident in 2008 led to a decade long process of safety improvements in the sector and offers a casebook example of how to build an understanding of safety between all those involved. Will North spoke to two of those leading the efforts, Klaus Meissner and Ton Klijn, who explain the resources available to ensure safe lifting on wind farms.
Rising winds
As a new generation of larger, higher, wind turbines become commonplace around the world, wind farm developers will need to look at employing larger lattice and telescopic crawler cranes to install them. Will north reports.
Edilgru MH 1000-30/32
Edilgru is an Italian manufacturer of self-erecting tower cranes. CGM Models of Italy has produced this 1:50 scale model which is substantially made of high-quality plastic, rather than being diecast. It comes in an Edilgru branded box, but there are no instructions included, which is a pity as they would be helpful.
Bringing Battersea Back To Life
London’s iconic art deco style coal-fired Battersea Power Station was constructed in various stages between 1929 and the mid-1950s. By 1983 however the entire site was decommissioned to be left empty and decaying on the south bank of the River Thames until 2013 when work was approved to begin a long-term restoration and transformation project set to cost £9 billion.
The higher hundreds
In the second of a two-part report, Will North looks at All Terrain cranes between 130 and 180 tonnes. While some models in this class target taxi crane work, it also marks the point where five-axle carriers become standard with most models designed for project work.
Spiders gaining traction
The results from our survey of the tree care sector in last month’s issue of cranes & Access highlighted how spider lifts are the platform of choice for arborists. In the following pages we take a look at the latest spider lift products and features on the market to see why they are proving so popular. We also speak with CMC's UK distributor Tracked Spider Sales and UK rental company Spiderlift.
Unconventional power
Conventional fuels may be the energy source of yesterday, and renewables the innovation of the present, but tomorrow’s fuel could well be fusion power. The name of ITeR, originally the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, puns on the latin ‘The Way'. The project is supported by the european union, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and the united States. The global joint venture partners clearly believe fusion power is the way forward.
XCMG XGC220T
The XCMG XGC220T is a telescopic crawler crane with a capacity of 220 tonnes. This model by Yagao comes in an XCMG branded box and includes an instruction sheet printed in Chinese and English.
Luke Reddish - CPA Lifting Technician of the Year
This year’s CPA Stars of the Future ‘Lifting Technician of the Year’ award was won by Luke Reddish, 28, of Wolffkran - one of the first crane companies to adopt the new Lifting Technician Trailblazer Apprenticeship. Wolffkran’s Samuel Slocombe was also highly commended.
