05.12.2005

First Palfinger PA20T sold to roofer

The first Palfinger PA20T 20 metre truck mounted lift has been Swindells Roofing of St Helens in Merseyside. The PA20T was the first and only all-Palfinger designed lift, predating its acquisition of Bison. The unit was supplied by Palfinger distributor, T H White of Devizes.

Swindells is a subcontractor to major housing and commercial construction organisations including David Wilson Homes, Redrow and Persimmon, it is using the machine to allow traditional fixed scaffolding to be stripped more quickly by using the access platform for final detailing and snagging work.
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The first Palfinger PA20T sold in the UK

This is particularly important on a current Speke Housing refurbishment contract for Bramall Construction, where they are replacing the roofs of 600 houses.

Swindells roofing was founded 120 years ago, but has expanded rapidly in recent years to become a major roofing contractor and supplier in the North West of England. Its fleet of over 30 vehicles includes three trucks fitted with Palfinger loader cranes.

Derek Dawson, the fleet manager at Swindell’s said “For years we were Hiab customers, but after trying our first Palfinger crane, we were impressed with the quality and with T H White’s service and support. We quickly added two more of their cranes to the fleet and when we decided to buy an access platform and heard Palfinger now manufactured these, it made sense to approach T H White for suggestions”.
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Swindells first platform, the Palfinger PA20T

T H White recommended the PA20T for its outreach of up to 11 metres within the 3.5tonne GVW category, allowing it to be driven by anyone with a normal UK car licence. “Sideways reach is very important to us” says Dawson. “We tried another machine with similar working height but due to the outrigger width it wouldn’t get anywhere near the jobs the Palfinger can reach. Space is always tight on our sites and the compact Nissan Cabstar can get in very close so that we can easily reach the chimneys for flashing work”.