What next for spider lifts?

One of the main challenges for OEMs in the modern spider sector is balancing regulatory requirements, says Poala Palazzani, president of Palazzani, along with sustainability targets, and customer expectations while maintaining reliability and competitive costs.

The Palazzani TZJ 180 at the company’s 90th anniversary celebrations last year.

“However, this also represents a significant opportunity,” adds Palazzani. “Manufacturers able to deliver compact, eco-conscious and user-friendly machines are well positioned to support the evolving needs of both rental companies and end users.”

Palazzani’s latest additions are the compact TZJ 160 and TZJ 180, officially launched at Bauma 2025 in Munich, all incorporating these elements.

The TZJ 160 and TZJ 180 offer working heights of 16m and 18m respectively, with an outreach of 7.5m (TZJ 160) and 8m (TZJ 180) and a basket capacity of 230kg, ideal for two operators with tools.

Palazzani, says, “They reflect today’s market demand, especially from rental companies, for ultra-compact, lightweight and versatile machines in the low to mid working height segment.

Fast set ups

In this segment ease of transport and quick setup are also key drivers. Both units are compact and lightweight, towable and are designed to access confined areas. The minimum undercarriage width of just 0.78m, without basket, allows smooth passage through standard doors and corridors, making them suitable for urban environments and indoor job sites.

Representing a key demand in the spider sector is the double articulated telescopic boom with jib enabling parallel working to facades, precise movements and effective up-and-over capability, even in tight spaces.

At the same time, sustainability is becoming a standard requirement rather than an option.

For this reason, the TZJ range is available with full electric power option with lithium batteries with two different power pack versions (ECO and ECO PRO), and meets autonomy requirements.

Looking ahead, Palazzani says spider lift design will continue to evolve towards greater electrification, smarter control systems, and further optimization of dimensions and weight.

CMC’s S20 sits with its Light and Compact range.

CMC’s latest model also addresses these pressing issues. The CMC S20 sits within the manufacturer’s Light and Compact range, and again is designed to deliver where space, weight, and transportability are considerations.

The S20 bridges the gap between the smaller S15 and the larger S23, offering greater outreach and capacity than ultra-compact models while retaining ease of movement and transport.

With a working height of 20m, outeach of 10.4m and maximum basket capacity of 230kg, it also introduces several refinements that distinguish it within the lineup. Its fully internal tracking system, improved approach angle, and width-adjustable tracks are key features that set it apart.

The fully internal tracking system protects hydraulic hoses and components from snagging or debris damage, a unique advantage for confined or high-risk environments, says the company.

One of the most significant updates is the new remote-control system which has now become a standard feature across the CMC range, appearing in the latest S23 Version. It provides a seamless experience for operators moving between different models, allowing for instant familiarity and efficiency without the need to relearn operating systems.

Built entirely from solid steel, the S20 is engineered for long-term reliability in demanding conditions.

Height versus capacity Platform Basket’s Spider 54T represents a significant step forward in the development of high-reach tracked platforms, says the company. The Spider 54T is the largest in Platform Basket’s range.  It is the tallest spider lift produced by Platform Basket, and designed to combine extreme working height with optimal stability and compactness. The machine introduces a new generation of articulated-boom architecture, providing a unique combination of outreach, precision, and manoeuvrability in tight spaces. It has a 54m working height and up to 21m of outreach while remaining narrow and easy to transport. Its 400kg basket capacity complements the machine’s overall weight, around 17,500kg. The 54T is built on a heavy-duty undercarriage and delivers robustness and traction, commonly found in fields such as the military sector.

Realtime upgrade

Moving up the working height spectrum, CTE has been focusing on the top of the mid-to-high segment of its Traccess range, with the 23m working height Traccess 230 Evo.

The CTE TRCS 210 E.

The Traccess 230 Evo is the evolution of the orignal Traccess 230. While it maintains the distinctive features of its predecessor, it builds on it with the patented S3 Evo (Smart Stability System Evo).

Thanks to this real-time performance monitoring system, it is the only model on the market to offer variable and automatic stabilization that is not limited to predefined areas, such as ‘narrow’ or ‘wide’. Each stabiliser can be positioned separately directly from the remote control or from the basket twin station.

Once the stabilisers are in place, the platform is automatically stabilised. Another innovation is the control panel; a wireless remote control with a 4.3in display that is duplicated in the basket. The graphic display also allows you to monitor and view the permitted manoeuvres.

Thanks to S3 EVO, every manoeuvre is controlled by the system where each sensor can be reset directly by the operator. Finally, the control system checks the consistency of the setting values and only allows them to be saved if the sensor zeros are within a certain tolerance of the expected values.

Intelligence on spider tracks Hyman Yu, head of the Global Product Management Center at Sinoboom, sees electrification, intelligence and lightweight, compact design as essential features. The fully electric SPA27EJ from Sinoboom. Although Yu ads, “The application scenarios for spider lifts are highly segmented. Different technical design approaches result in vastly different operational performances, meaning that a single product cannot meet the needs of all users, and no single manufacturer can offer a product that covers all requirements. “On the other hand, this also presents us with more opportunities: we can always uncover unmet needs and identify new sales prospects.” A further issue that complicates matters is around traditional diesel power, “Diesel models will not be entirely replaced by electric ones, as they still have a vital role in scenarios such as outdoor fieldwork.” Furthermore, Yu adds, “Through extensive tracking of customer application scenarios, we’ve observed that indoor operations account for a significant proportion of spider lift usage. “However, customers often rely on engine-powered operation for most of their tasks. Even when using a hybrid spider lift, the engine remains the primary power source during the majority of operation time. This is not ideal, as electric power is far more suitable for indoor operation.” Giving reason for this scenario, Yu added. “It is largely because most electric spider lifts have a low work efficiency, only about 60% of that of diesel models and an insufficient battery life to last a full day’s work.” To address this, Sinoboom is launching a high-performance, fully electric spider lift, the SPA27EJ, which will be available from April this year. It is designed to deliver efficiency comparable to or even higher than that of diesel models. It provides enough battery life to cover a day-and-a-half of medium-intensity work and supports fast charging with 5 kW of power. On the subject of intelligent control, Yu says, compared to boom and scissor lifts, spider lifts are more complex and precise, which translates into a higher learning curve for customers, while,“innovative new materials and smaller, lighter components have the potential to further reduce the weight and size of spider lifts.”

Technology integration

As has been reported in these pages, Socage acquired CTE last year. “The acquisition was not just a change in corporate structure, but represented the birth of new synergies in terms of production and, above all, products, with the TRCS spider serie (TRCS),” said the company. The new brand name TRCS evokes the Traccess range, with a revamped and simplified look.

“We are answering the need for versatility. A single machine must be able to perform in tight indoor spaces and on rough outdoor terrain with equal efficiency.”

Going forward, “We foresee a shift towards predictive connectivity allowing rental owners to predict failures before they happen,” added the company.

According to Alessia Borghi, marketing representative at Socage, the main challenge is to integrate technological innovation while maintaining simplicity of use and reliability. “Electrification, operator assistance, remote connectivity, completely standard equipment and continuous product evolution are key factors to differentiate us from more basic solutions on the market.”

Borghi points out that the market increasingly demands machines that are safer, more versatile and easier to operate.

Socage Raptor is a division of Socage Group which offers a complete range of spiders from 12m - 35m.

The Raptor 35S is the latest in the series and can provide up to 35m height and 21m of outreach with a basket payload of 300 kg. It is also capable of negative working to 11m.

The future of the sector is clearly moving towards electrification, operational intelligence and greater movement precision, says Borghi. “The SE is a clear example of this evolution, combining sustainability, energy efficiency and precision.”

Scalable solutions

For AlmaCrawler, the new BA-Line of articulated spider lifts represents a strategic expansion of its portfolio.

Currently, the new range includes three models withworking heights from 15m-24m.

The Socage Raptor 35S. 

“We wanted to design a product that could answer most of the unanswered questions [in the sector],” says Oana Samoila, sales director of AlmaCrawler. “We looked to provide our clients with a complete, scalable family.

“We believe that the 21m and 24m will be particularly popular with rental companies while the 15m will be well liked by professional user.”

Features include automatic self-levelling stabilisation, extending tracks, non-marking undercarriage and up to 30% gradeability allowing access to confined or sensitive sites, indoors and outdoors. There are multiple power options: diesel, electric and hybrid with lithium technology.

“Today,” adds Samoila, “Uptime and ease of use are just as important as pure technical complexity. Rental companies need machines that are intuitive for operators with different experience levels, quick to stabilise and easy to reposition.”

Almac is set to introduce the BA-Line. (Image: Almac).

Looking forward Samoila adds, “We’re seeing a clear shift toward electric-first platforms with higher energy-density lithium batteries, intelligent power management, and hybrid architectures that deliver outdoor performance while enabling indoor use.”

Easy Lift, which was acquired by Almac last year, echoes the challenge that OEMs are facing in balancing innovation with reliability and increasing regulatory requirements and cost pressures.

However, says Easy Lift, “These challenges create strong opportunities for manufacturers that invest in R&D, electrification, and smart technologies. Companies able to anticipate market needs and offer flexible, future-proof solutions will strengthen their competitive advantage.”

The Easy Lift RA21 with winch.

The latest addition to the Easy Lift range is the RA21. Designed to meet the needs of rental companies, it combines a working height of 21m with compact dimensions and optimized weight distribution.

Key features include advanced hydraulic systems for smooth and precise movements, intuitive control interfaces, automatic stabilization that allows fast and safe set-up even on uneven ground and a wide range of power options.

These include lithium battery and hybrid solutions, making it suitable indoor and outdoor applications. Particular attention has been paid to transportability, with it weighing only 2850kg.

The company confirmed that electrification, digital integration, and smarter machine management would influence the design of future equipment. “We foresee even lighter and stronger structures, improved outreach-to-weight ratios, and more modular components.”

‘Universal workhorse’

Ruthmann Bluelift says its is benefitting from its parent company Time Manufacturing’s wide network, since the group acquired Ruthmann in 2021. It means Bluelifts are now available in many countries.

Bluelift’s SA 20 is the Time brand’s latest scissor launch.

Alongside this the production process has been further optimised, enabling short delivery times for current models. “Export share is rising steadily and the international partner network is constantly expanding. We benefitting from synergies through uniform manufacturing processes and standardised service concepts.“

Bluelift’s latest model is the SA 20, which boasts a sophisticated design and compact dimensions. Whether in narrow courtyards, between buildings or on uneven terrain, the SA 20 can work up to 20m and with a lateral outreach of 10.6m at 120kg basket load or 9.10m at 250kg basket load. It is compact with an overall lengt of just 4.96m – ideal for transport with a standard trailer.

Leguan has focused on unifying its complete product range to share the same design, features, components, operating system and controls.

The All-terrain series includes the 170, 195, 225 and 265 models, ranging from 17m to 26.5m working heights.

“Previously spider lifts were seen as specialist machines which often were too difficult to use without extensive training.

Leguaqn 225 working in the US.

“The current trend is positioning spider lifts as the universal workhorse for a wide range of lifting jobs thanks to its versatility,” says Juuso Valtakari, marketing manager at Leguan Lifts.

“Operation needs to be as easy as possible, because spider lifts are now used, not only by seasoned professionals, but also as rental machines by weekend painters without previous experience from lifts in general.”

Uniformity of Leguan All-terrain models is designed to further deliver ease of use, providing an easy transition between models and intuitiveness to the operator and other personnel.

Operator, service and after-sales support personnel training can be done with one machine, and the same training applies for the whole All-terrain series.

Future development of spider lifts is highly driven by the customer needs, says Valtakari, “We see new applications for spider lifts every month and therefore the development team needs to be as close as possible to the customers to keep up to the customer demand.” RAI