All Access Articles

System Lift, the German access rental partnership organisation, is offering a package of practical help and advice to operatives who are using its members' equipment in public places.

Swing stages are not necessarily simple devices. Above is one custom-designed in 1986 for use by McNally's Crane Hire in the Republic of Ireland. It is slung from a crane periodically to clean a church spire near the company's Monaghan, Ireland depot. The stage has clamshell platforms and a hydraulic motor and ram. It cost approximately €125000.

McNally's Crane Hire in Ireland has been renting cranes for years. It will take into its fleet by the end of this year its first aerial work platform - a 103 m working height Wumag Elevant 1000.

Resoration and relocation of Massimo Scolari's architechtural sculpture Aliante on top of the School of Architecture in S. Marta, Venice, was carried out by Italian company Unitecnica. The company rented a Barin AP 60/30 articulated boom from rental specialist Gruppo Venpa3 to help a team of four woodmen clad the steel structure with wood panels.

The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception in Guelph, Ontario, is undergoing a three-year restoration expected to cost $10 million. The 120-year old gothic-style church is more than a place of worship and a designated National Historic Site; it is recognised as a landmark by the whole region and therefore had to stay open during refurbishment

US scaffold and access platform manufacturer, Bil-Jax has released the first report from its Go Green Committee. The company has announced a reduction in solid waste and a substantial increase in materials recycled.

Negotiating the Energy Forum at Stralauler Platz in Berlin-Friedrichshain sounds like a puzzle put to the hero in an ancient myth.

PGC Demolition, a UK-based contractor, has employed five Haulotte machines to help remove the Riverdance ferry from the Lancashire coast where it was beached due to severe storms earlier this year. The 6000 t ship is lying on its side, embedded in 3m of sand and is only accessible at low tide.

Several manufacturers and dealers at the recent Scaffold Industry Association (SIA) convention and exposition in Denver, Colorado, were forecasting a rapid growth in sales of transport platforms in North America.

Safe use guidelines for users of MCWPs (mast climbing work platforms) in the US have been prepared by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and Kevin O'Shea of Mastclimbers LLC with input from a number of interested organisations.

The movement towards standards for safe design and use of mast climbing work platforms seems to be accelerating, as well as benefiting from the industry's international orientation and history. Access International reports.

A few years ago biofuels looked like one answer to rising fuel prices. The idea was to grow sugar crops, such as sugar beet, and starchy plants, such as corn, to produce ethanol by fermentation. Alternatively, oily crops like soybeans and rapeseed can provide a diesel-like fuel oil.

Machine sales is but one part of the access industry, and there is no doubt that sales are significantly down in many parts of the world. What are the indications for other aspects of the business, such as parts and training?

Although most access equipment users probably would not think they're coming quickly enough, component manufacturers are offering solid prospects for improving operating efficiencies. Patrick Hill reports on those developments, as well as current levels in aftermarket activity.

IPAF (The International Powered Access Federation) has appointed Pascal Deher as its new representative in France with immediate effect.

David Smith has been promoted to vice president, operations, for Snorkel International.

JLG Industries and its parent company, Oshkosh Corporation has broken ground for a new manufacturing facility in Tianjin, China. The new facility will produce JLG access equipment specifically for the Asian market.

Skyjack has confirmed that this year's scheduled Christmas shut down at its scissor producing Guelph plant will be extended to four weeks due to reduced demand. However, market share across all product ranges holds up.

UK company Enigma Vehicle Systems PLC, has appointed David White sales manager for the UK and Ireland. Mr White has 15 years experience in the industry and has joined the company from Trafficmaster, where he was dealer account manager. His appointment is part of a rapid expansion at Enigma where staff numbers have doubled in the last year to meet customer demand.