ConExpo 2023: what access equipment will be on show?

The crowds at ConExpo 2020. (Photo: Conexpo-Con/Agg)

With expanded exhibition space already sold out, there are huge hopes for the American show.

ConExpo 2020, which was shut down a day early due to the looming Covid-19 pandemic, was a general success, but caused extreme stress on exhibitors and attendees.

But all that is in the past and the 2023 show is shaping up to wipe out any bad memories.

“The addition of the new West Hall and Diamond Lot at the Las Vegas Convention Center gave us, and our exhibitors, a number of new opportunities to show how we are taking the construction industry to the next level,” said Show Director Dana Wuesthoff.

“Now at 2.8 million square feet of exhibits, there’s more for construction pros to see than ever before.”

Like Bauma was a little different in October, ConExpo will be different too. Numerous access equipment manufacturers will not be officially exhibiting, although some of its distributors will be showing equipment.

On the flip side, American companies and equipment manufacturers with American subsidiaries that didn’t participate at Bauma intend to make a big splash in Las Vegas.

Here follows some of the access equipment expected at the show.

Spider lifts

Italian truck mount specialist Socage is launching its new sub-company the show, Socage Raptor.

The new entity is dedicated to spider lifts and provides models from 15m to more than 20m working height.

The brainchild of Socage owner Fiorenzo Flisi, alongside tracked platform expert Fiorenzo Lodi Rizzini, the new company is set to revolutionise the world of double pantograph and telescopic boom tracked aerial lifts, according to Socage.

The 21S, part of Socage’s Raptor range. (Photo: Socage)

The new range includes three products so far; the 15S, 18S and 21S.

Socage Raptor will export its products to more than 50 countries around the world.

At ConExpo, the new 15S and the 21S will be on show. The 15S is up to 15m high and offers 7m of outreach with a basket payload of 225kg for two operators and materials, without limitations throughout the working area.

It includes a double articulated aerial boom with hydraulic jib for greater versatility.

As standard, the platform is equipped with hydraulic controls for the movements of the aerial part and with radio remote, for greater comfort and operator safety.

The 21S lift has a maximum working height of 20.8m and a maximum lateral outreach of 10.3m. Its basket payload is 230kg, for two operators and material, again throughout the working envelope, with no limitation.

It is fitted with automatic stabilisation and closing, for an easy and safe use.

Electric and diesel access equipment

Sinoboom North America will bring a range of equipment to the show.

Present will be three telescopic boom lift models from the Sinoboom Plus range, offering a platform capacity of 1,000 pounds.

There is the diesel-powered 86ft TB860J Plus, and there will be both electric and diesel versions of the 66ft TB660J Plus on show.

All feature full-time oscillation and hydraulic platform leveling.

The TB660EJ Plus telescopic boom from Sinoboom will be at the show. (Photo: Sinoboom)

The electric articulating boom lift AB460EJ is designed to perform in narrow spaces, with a narrow body of 5ft 8in, and almost-zero tail sweep.

Four scissor lifts will be on show: a heavy-duty diesel RT model and electric slab models including a heavy-duty version for optimal working efficiency.

The rough-terrain 4389RD has a 43ft platform height, lifting capacity of 1,499lb, while the 4655E Plus is a heavy-duty slab scissor lift, with 45ft indoor, 28ft outdoor platform height.

Two other electric slab scissors join the line-up. The 19ft 1932ME and the 2732E with a platform height of 26ft 7in.

The vertical mast lift ML270EJ is ideal for narrow-aisle applications, and features a 27ft 3in platform height and max. horizontal reach of 10ft 10in.

Other features include a unique movable pothole protection system, and an integrated boom which can be disassembled for easier maintenance.

The entire Sinoboom range has been treated with an anti-corrosion electrophoretic primer, and features a robust, high-quality build.

Telehandler enhancements

The Extendo 944X telehandler from Pettibone will provide several new design enhancements.

Powered by a 74-horsepower Cummins QSF 3.8 Tier 4 Final diesel engine that features a DOC muffler and requires no diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), the engine is mounted on a side pod, offering easy service access.

The 944X also offers maximum lift capacity of 9,000 pounds, forward reach of 30ft, and a lift height of 44ft, 6 in.

Featuring formed boom plates, the structure offers greater strength while reducing weight.

The Extendo 944X telehandler, from Pettibone. (Photo: Pettibone)

The design also minimises boom deflection for better control and accuracy when placing loads.

Boom overlap has been nearly doubled from previous models to provide smoother operation and reduce contact forces on wear pads, thereby extending service life.

Hoisting highlights

BrandSafway companies Hydro Mobile, Power Climber and Winsafe will be exhibiting the latest mast climber, transport platform, swingstage and hoist products and technology.

In addition to the flagship Hydro Mobile M2, the company will be exhibiting the F300 Split Mast dual-purpose mast climber and transport platform system.

The F300 offers high capacity, high speed access to work on building facades.

With two mast climber drive units sharing a common mast the possibilities of the F300 product are wide.

Power Climber and Winsafe will be showing swingstage and hoist technology including the new PC3 Relevation, the first and only UL-listed, battery-powered traction hoist on the market.

It provides is powered by lithium-ion battery technology, which, says the company, is a significant asset where site power is not available, or is inconsistent.

Geda USA will be showing a range of its products from compact rope hoists, such as the Geda Maxi and the Geda LIFT, to material lifts and transport platforms, to the MH 660 passenger and material lift.

This year the well-known Geda transport platforms celebrate their 25th anniversary. For this reason, they will be in the foreground this year alongside the new version of the company’s TP4400.

The TP 4400 lifts up to 330ft and operates at two speed levels between 40 or 80ft per minute. The platform configuration can be customised for specific needs, and offers a variety of platform choices as well as a roof option. Wide platforms allow easy loading and unloading.

The Geda 1500 ZZP. (Photo: Geda)

The GEDA TP 1100 transport platform will be there too. It can accommodate both people and materials, with hoist material loads up to 1875 lbs in material mode or 1100 lbs or four people in passenger mode, or a combination of personnel and products, up to four people.

Stros will be sharing a booth with its North American hoist dealer UCEL, which had record sales year in 2022, says the manufacturer.

A new product, the Rino battery powered ‘eco-line’ will be on show. The model uses recuperative energy, combined with batteries for projects with limited electrical access.

It was developed by Czech Republic-based Stros as part of its green strategy. It follows upgrades in the factory such as a robotic mast section straightener and solar power.

For key information about ConExpo, including how to get to the event, schedules and badge information, click here.