All Access Articles

Bronto Skylift wasn't able to show its planned 104 m model at APEX, but visitors still had plenty to see on the company's stand with the new 78 m straight boom S 78 XDT taking centre stage.

A resounding theme at this year's APEX was environmental sustainability. While companies around the globe work to reduce their carbon impact, exhibiting companies at APEX displayed their efforts to follow suit, presenting units with bi-energy options, including diesel and electric hybrid machines

Standing tall at the Bizzocchi stand was the prototype of the 50.7 m working height KJ-A 510, designed for 26 t GVW carriers. Outreach of the new model is 34.5 m with 120 kg in the basket and 28 m with its maximum load of 450 kg.

Kuka Systems Corp., a manufacturer of industrial robots and lift solutions, showed off its omniMove wheel on an 18 m lift platform. The omniMove wheel consists of eight specially shaped, non-driven rollers which are mounted between two identical stable rims. The diagonal alignment of the rollers allows the machine to navigate in confined spaces and turn on a spot. Each wheel can be controlled and driven individually.

Spanish manufacturer Matilsa is showing a new 15 m trailer mounted telescoping articulated boom and the prototype of a 21 m self propelled articulated boom with outriggers.

Opportunity for cross border trade from European enlargement is the topic of the presentation by Pat Cox, former president of the European Parliament, at this year's Access Summit.

German truck mount specialist, Ruthmann was able to show the new Steiger T275 variable turret machine alongside the SteigerTB220, mounted for the first time on a 3.5 t Renault-Maxity chassis, and the Steiger T 580 with its orbital boom technology. In addition the company was previewing the Steiger T 470 in 3D animation; this machine will be being built from the end of this year and are expected to be available by Spring 2009.

Italy's GSR unveiled its E140TJV model, a 14.3 m working height telescoping boom on a 3.5 t van. The machine, has a 130° fly jib, a maximum basket capacity of 220 kg and a maximum out reach of 8.3 m. Vehicle payload is 350 kg.

The 400 kg basket payload capacity of Teupen's new 36.5 m working height Leo GTX 40 crawler machine meets a growing need to build complex structural steel structures, said the company. The model's 11 t weight and compact dimensions allow users to shift it to successive floors of rising structures to erect the next, and often differently configured layers of steel.

Genie Industries unveiled two new boom lifts at APEX, plus the new GRC-12 Runabout vertical mast lift

When, where, opening hours, how to get there and where to stay

Although quieter than previous years our on -the-spot reporters found plenty of market activity. Here are some of the stories from the show:

Aichi showed five new booms and scissors on its stand, although was at pains to describe them as prototype models and was not committing itself to a timetable for availability in Europe beyond early 2009.

A 19 m working height electric scissor drivable at 14 m platform height is the latest machines from Italy's Iteco. The IT 17210 is the company's first 4WD, rough terrain electric scissor.

Benelux Merlo dealer Testcentrum De Lille has developed a tracked telehandler with personnel basket attachments using a Merlo boom mounted on the tracked undercarriage from a 15 t Caterpillar excavator.

Buyers will have to wait until the second quarter of 2009 for Skyjack's new SJ 46AJ and SJ 51AJ (Europe only) articulated booms.

JLG's electrically powered, mast style boom lift, Toucan 10E provides a 10m working height and is designed to help users increase their productivity and make maintenance easy.

During APEX UpRight focused on showing the breadth of its product range, with five new machines, three being the result of cooperation with other manufacturers.

Terex Aerial Work Platforms (Terex AWP) is expanding its after sales service activities, including a new parts operation that will stock competitive brands, extended warranties, a broader financial services offering, and an expansion of its North American refurbishment network using Terex Utilities facilities. As part of the new ‘Genie 360’ customer support programme, Terex AWP has signed up to the SmartEquip online parts ordering system.