21.01.2016

Five Palfinger P480 for Nationwide

UK rental company Nationwide Platforms, - the UK arm of Lavendon - has purchased five new 48 metre Palfinger 480 truck mounted platforms.

Mounted on an 18 tonne two-axle MAN chassis with an overall length of 9.9 metres, the new machines offer up to 31.5 metres of outreach and a maximum platform capacity of 600kg, they also have enough spare payload for additional tools and equipment in spite of the compact chassis.

A key feature of the new machines is its innovative X-jib, which has 240 degrees of articulation and allows a platform rotation of 400 degrees – 200 degrees either side of centre. This makes it possible to work around objects and always position the front the front of the platform up against the work.
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One of Nationwide Platforms new Palfinger P480

One of the first P480s to be delivered was sent straight out on a job to clear vegetation from a retaining wall on the River Avon in Bristol. Set up on a site 10 metres above the river, the job required up to eight metres of negative reach and for the platform basket to be rotated 180 degrees in order to provide the client unrestricted access to the wall.
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One of the first jobs involved working eight metres below ground level with the platform rotated 180 degrees

John Weights, Nationwide Platforms operations director for the Specialist Vehicle division, said: “The ability to work on structures without constantly repositioning is highly valued by customers, especially when limited time is given to complete the work. We are always looking to push the boundaries of what is possible and the introduction of our Palfinger P480s maintains our drive on innovation, as well as giving us access to the ‘next generation’ of truck mounts which set the benchmark in capability in this class.”

All five P480s were delivered with Chalwyn valves to allow work on refinery and petrochemical sites, and feature chassis-to-earth bonding kits for industrial and high voltage electrical work. Additional features include Palfinger’s Power-Lift material handling system, which can lift up to 600kg, and bespoke outrigger mat holders attached to the jacks to reduce manual handling.

Integrated access steps and fall arrest lines either side of the boom have also been fitted, while each machine has been fitted with a number of cameras to assist with pedestrian and cyclist awareness, and features an LED lighting system under the chassis for carrying out work at night.