Bronto Skylift has overcome the challenges of making its 104 metre S104HLA platform road legal in Australia with the first unit due to be delivered to telecommunications company Quantum Comms in early 2026.
Bronto, its representative in Australia & New Zealand GFS/Bronto Skylift AuNZ and Quantum teamed up with Offroad Trucks Australia and Tatra Trucks to overcome the challenges of meeting Australia’s varying road regulations by adapting an eight axle Tatra T158 16×16 customised chassis to take the S104HLA without compromising performance on the road or on site.
An S104HLA mounted on a standard six axle chassis
Work carried out included modifying the chassis cab with a cut out area to house the boom without compromising any structural integrity. Each axle will be equipped with extra wide - 445mm tyres - on all axles. Five of the axles are permanently driven, while three that can be engaged from the cab for all wheel drive, all include differential locks. Five axle steering will also help provide a tighter turning radius for a vehicle of this length. The resulting unit will offer 10 tonne axle loads and apparently be road legal across the country.
The S104HLA has a working height of 104 metres with a maximum outreach of 33 metres at an up & over height of 17 metres, or 25 metres outreach at an up & over height of 63 metres. Maximum capacity is 700kg. It will be used to meet growing demand for higher platforms in Australia’s wind and telecommunications industries.
The Bronto S104HLA is ideal for both wind and high telecoms work
The unit, Australia's highest reaching, will join Quantum’s existing fleet of 30 Bronto platforms, which the company uses in its own business of rigging, civil engineering and telecoms work, as well as renting them to others.
GFS/Bronto Skylift representative Damian Wing said: "With exceptional dedication, engineering and support from the project team, we are able to bring equipment like the Bronto S104HLA to Australia. This project is just the beginning of our continuous commitment to meeting industry needs."
Quantum chief executive Andrew Drenovski added: "We are continuing to improve and increase our fleet of Bronto aerial platforms to meet the requirements of our clients and the S104HLA is only the beginning of our long term strategy."
Offroad Trucks national sales manager Australia Lee Morley said: “The ability of Tatra trucks and their talented engineers to find solutions for custom chassis builds has resulted in this 16×16 chassis being possible. Working closely with Tatra Trucks, Bronto Skylift and GFS/Bronto Skylift AuNZ has resulted in the ideal solution for this special project.”
Once the unit has been completed will hope to be able to provide full details and photos.
Comments