Skyjack tracks down oldest working platform

Skyjack has announced the winner of its Quest2013 to find the oldest working machine produced in the manufacturer's 30 year history.

The year-long search was launched at last year's Rental Show in Las Vegas and took in most regions of the world, including South America and Asia.

Finally the oldest surviving machine, a SJ006-10, was tracked down in Skyjack's home country of Canada. Kraner Electrical, a Guelph, Ontario-based company, which provides electrical maintenance and installation for heavy industries, purchased the used SJ006-10 at Bolton Auction House in May 1996. But the machine, with a serial number of 00E, dates back to 1985.

Skyjack awarded Kramer with its prize of a new 19 ft working height SJIII 3219 scissor at this year's Rental Show in Orlando.

The 29-year-old SJ006-10 is generally used for installing conduit or fixtures, running pipes or hooking up equipment for Kraner Electrical customers. “When we are running electricals up near the ceiling we need wide spaces and the Skyjack gives us lots of space while providing a steady platform,” said Mathew Kraner, who co-owns the company with his father Peter. “It’s like a work van up in the sky because it fits all our tools, pipes, fittings and the radio.”

The SJ006-10 has a 6.4 m (21 ft) working height, a capacity of 340 kg (750 lbs) and a platform size of 1 m x 2 m (40 in x 82 in).

“Everyone laughs at how slow it is because you can walk faster than it but it’s a very effective tool and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. After all, slow and steady wins the race,” added Mr Kraner.

The manufacturer also announced the sale of its 100000th SJIII 3219 unit to Chicago, USA-based Metrolift. The company has a fleet of 1800 machines, with 1000 of them being Skyjack scissors.