22.07.2010

Access scrapheap challenge

Faced with what to do with a large number of very old ‘pensioned-off’ or scrapped platforms, Lavendon Access Services in the UK held a ‘scrap heap challenge’ last weekend with five teams competing to build a piece of working equipment from the scrapped aerial work platforms.
Please register to see all images

The five teams with their contraptions

Following the rules set by the UK TV show ‘Scrap Heap Challenge’, the five teams of four service engineers from Nationwide Platforms, EPL Skylift and Panther represented different regions across the UK. They were all given 48 hours to design and build a piece of machinery using only the tools and equipment they brought with them and any components and parts from the scrap machinery and other scrap material they could find in the yard.

Each team then had to prove that their finished product could be operated successfully and safely, before completing a lap of a pre-determined course in front of a panel of eagle-eyed judges.

The challenge took place between Friday July 16th and Sunday July 18th at the Boughton Industrial Estate in Nottinghamshire. IPS, Wurth, Pirtek and Tyrefix were on hand to supply the odd spare part, whilst Genie, JLG and SkyJack contributed prizes.”
Please register to see all images

Small spare parts were provided by IPS, Wurth, Pirtek and Tyrefix

Mick Ledden, Lavendon’s operations director and chairman of the judging panel said: “First and foremost this was a fun way to bring our engineers from across the UK together and show their team spirit and put their skills to the test.

The other judges were: Chris Wraith of Lavendon, John Liposites, Genie UK training manager) and Simon Cracknell of JLG.
Please register to see all images

The wining team with judges (L–R) Alan Lee, Chris Wraith, Steve Brown, John Liposits, Simon Cracknell and Mick Ledden. Kneeling - Barry Liddell and Paul Rochester.

The North East Team, ‘Durham County Choppers’, took first prize with their all terrain Beach Buggy.

Nick Connor, regional engineering manager for the North East, said: “The lads simply surpassed themselves. They took this opportunity to use their creativity and skills and thought outside the box. Starting with the axle of a Genie Z-boom they then used various parts from different machines. In the end, their Beach Buggy was an amalgamation machines from JLG, Skyjack, Genie, Manitou, Upright, Haulotte and Niftylift, with the seat and mirrors from a Skyking Truck mount.”
Please register to see all images

The winning team The ‘Durham County Choppers’, with their all terrain Beach Buggy. (L-R) Nick Connor regional engineering manager –North with Paul Rochester, Barry Liddell, Steve Brown and Alan Lee.

Please register to see all images

Sunday was a family affair with the next generation attending