02.03.2011

Skako takes on Bluelift

Skako Lift USA –Reachmaster has been appointed as the distributor for Italian based spider lift manufacturer BlueLift for north and South America.

The move follows Skako’s loss of the Hinowa line to JLG from January 1st, although the company is still delivering the last few Hinowa lifts from orders it booked in 2010. It showed the BlueLift product at this week’s ARA/Rental show and will also have the product on its stand at Conexpo.

The BlueLift product will be marketed in the region under the ReachMaster-BlueLift brand name. Skako Lift Europe will also represent BlueLift in Scandinavia and other markets.

Ebbe Christensen, chief executive of Skako Lift, Inc said: “When the news about the alliance between Hinowa and JLG broke in October last year, it was actually a bitter sweet situation. Bitter because we had pioneered not only the line, but frankly the entire segment, but also sweet because it opened up the opportunity to evaluate a company we had secretly kept a close eye on for a couple of years from a competition point of view.”
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(L-R) Ebbe Christensen of Skako Inc, Gianni Marti and Gianpiero Marti of BlueLift and Brian Falck Schmidt of Skako, at the BlueLift plant

“We were honoured to find ourselves in the highly privileged position that several manufacturers wanted us to represent their lines here and I’m sure to some, it comes as a surprise that we decided to go with the relatively unknown BlueLift”.

“What caught our initial attention with BlueLift a few years back was its ability, energy and outspoken desire to be different and focus on developing new features rather than copying existing concepts and just make them bigger and/or better”

All BlueLifts will be Ansi rated with 440lbs (200kgs) unrestricted platform capacity, will feature auto-setting outriggers, FMS (Function Memory System) that allows an operator to store lift movements, automatic turret centring and a new “Start ‘n Stop” feature, where the power supply will automatically turn off if a function is not activated for 10 seconds and start up again automatically at the mere touch of the controls.

“It is a feature that will both positively impact the environment as well as it will enhance the life span of engine and pump components, and of course reduce energy consumption” says Christensen.

Skako will initially launch four models 39, 46, 53 and 72ft working height respectively, and mid-summer a 60ft unit will follow and at by the end of the year an 82ft unit. All units are dual powered with 110v direct drive and either a Honda 440ix or a Hatz diesel engine.

A lithium power supply option is also in the works and is currently undergoing
testing on a prototype. “We’re still evaluating the true market need for the lithium versions, as the higher cost and unknown data as far as durability of these systems should be considered against the current well-known 110v/combustion versions, but if the technology takes off, we will be ready” adds Christensen.