06.03.2014

Midland takes first spider lift

UK based access rental company Midland Truck Mounts has purchased its first spider lift, a Multitel SMX 225.

The company has taken delivery of a 22.5 metre SMX 225 with 10.25 metres of outreach and an overall weight of only 2,550kg. Powered by a Kubota diesel, it also features an electric motor and non-marking tracks for internal use. Platform rotation is full 180 degrees, while a key operated height limiting switch restricts the working envelope, allowing it to be rented out as a 19 metre unit.
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The new SMX 225 on a telecoms mast

Managing director Martin Rickman said: “We have been evaluating the tracked access market for the past year and have cross hired a number of different tracked access and spider lifts for a wide range of different jobs, not only to evaluate opportunities in this sector but also to gain more knowledge on the different makes of equipment available. In the end the decision was somewhat easier than we had initially anticipated – it came down to do we go for a Multitel SMX 225 or a SMX 250.”

“We currently operate a number of truck mounted Multitels and the back-up we get from Access Industries and Multitel is first class,” added Rickman. “I firmly believe no one in the industry offers the same level of back up, twenty four hours spares delivery and to round it all off spares at a reasonable price. So while we looked at other options to go elsewhere we would need some very good or very special reasons.”

Shortly after delivery the new unit went out on its first job, installing a telecommunications dish and doing line of sight work.