16.07.2018

Baby Bronto on the way

Bronto Skylift will launch completely new 35 metre truck mounted lift in September - the Bronto S35EM.
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The new platform will be launched at Platformers Days in Germany this September

The S35EM is totally new and has been designed from the ground up to be easy to use, in order to target the self-drive rental market, while offering the build quality and performance features of larger Bronto truck mounts. The new machine has a five section telescopic boom, topped by an articulated jib. Maximum outreach is 29 metres, and maximum capacity 500kg - with the standard 2.04 metre wide platform - or 450kg with the optional 2.4 metre basket, while an extendable 3.4 metre platform is also available with a 350kg capacity.
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The Bronto S35EM has an overall length of 9.5 metres

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Access to the platform is either via the landing platform with steps or the platform can be lowered to the ground

The platform stows to the rear, with a landing stage and pull-out step to make access to and loading of the platform safe and easier, although it can also be lowered to the ground to make easier still. The platform control panel complete with all of the safety equipment is attached to the guardrails and can be moved to provide the maximum space for a particular job. The control system is the latest Bronto 5+, with touch screen, easy navigation and modifiable main menu, as well as integrated quick manuals and situation related help texts. A secondary guarding device is standard.
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Part of the test programme demonstrates the 29 metre outreach

Mounted on a two axle truck chassis, overall length on the road is 9.5 metres, with an overall height on the Volvo FL launch chassis of 3.7 metres. Outrigger set up is completely variable with built-in sensors and integration with the platform’s overload system. Optional equipment includes hydraulic and electrical power to the platform, hydraulic material winch and ultrasonic collision guard.
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The platform undergoes its pull tests

Sales director Antti Suoniemi said: “For some time now our customers have hoped for the trusted Bronto on a smaller scale, this is the very answer to this demand. We are bringing the same quality equipment to lower level access that we provide to the higher worksites.”

Key account manager Ian James added: “There is an increasing use of platforms for window cleaning and maintenance work in the cities, where the size and time matters, so we wanted to create an inexpensive solution for city rental opportunities. The S35EM provides easy and quick operation for end users and is our answer for the growing need for self-drive units.”
The new model will be unveiled at Platformer Days in Germany, this September.

Vertikal Comment

It has a been a while since Bronto has dared to launch a completely new machine of this size, given the tough price competition from high volume Italian manufacturers, not to mention the two big German producers. If Bronto can build this new model efficiently enough to offer it at a reasonably competitive price it should do very well, and the challenge could be keeping up with demand.

There will have been some discussion at Bronto about the merits and risks of going head to head with strong competitors in what is an increasingly competitive market sector. For many years Bronto retreated further up the working height chain to bigger machines where it has a leading market position.

However, a good many high volume manufacturers have been moving steadily up the height chain leaving a smaller and smaller high yield top end market.
Bronto was acquired by Japanese manufacturer Morita in early 2016 and as one might expect the transition from 20 years of American conglomerate ownership to being part of a Japanese fire platform specialist has had its challenges.

Hopefully this new model is a solid indication of a new and exciting stage in Bronto’s development.