03.12.2013
First 37m Ommelift collects cones in Denmark
The first 37 metre Ommelift spider lift sold in Denmark was delivered to rental company Ringsted Liftudlejning and is being used to collect seed cones from giant fir trees.
About 20,000 litres of seed cones had to be harvested in just two weeks from six acres of 50 year old trees which only produce cones on the top branches at a height of between 35 and 40 metres.
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Setting up the Omme lift among the giant firs
Tonny Bang of T/M Lift who hired in the Ommelift 3700 RBDJ, said: “The last time we had trees bearing seed cones in this area was five years ago. Unfortunately the trees had grown so tall the forest lifts we normally use for harvesting could no longer reach the cones. Giant firs bear cones only grow on the top whorls of the branches, so being able to reach the top is essential. In this situation, the 3700 RBDJ was our only option.”
The Ommelift 3700 RBDJ has a two-speed transmission making travel through the forest easier and the outriggers can be set up on slopes of up to 30 percent, making it ideal for operation on rugged ground. It takes less than three minutes to extend all seven sections of the telescopic boom and elevate to full height. Platform capacity is 250kg while outreach is 14 metres and the articulated jib has a 130 degree range.
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The Omme lift enabled a safe and efficient seed cone harvest
The giant fir - Abies Grandis - is a fast-growing tree whose branches are primarily used for creating decorations such as Christmas wreaths. Seeds harvested from the cones are sold to nurseries. One sack of cones contains 60 litres, enough seeds to produce 10,000 new trees.
Rental company Ringsted Liftudlejning said it is finding a lot of applications for the machine because of its light weight, working envelope and compact stowed height and width.
“With the delivery of the 3700 RBDJ we are now able to take on more special assignments,” said Morten Lynghoejen of Ringsted Liftudlejning. “Despite its good working height, the lift has incredibly compact dimensions. This also makes it able to meet the needs of our customers who may need less reach, but still require compact stowed dimensions.”
Looking at the first photo, its a brave chap to go up in that machine when the outrigger pad is barely on the outrigger pad and I imagine that the ground that it is working on is pretty soft too... I would have thought that much bigger pads and having the outrigger on the pad would have been a prerequisite for operating such a machine in a forest !