07.04.2021

New ‘Spiderbooms’ from Almac

Italian tracked auto levelling aerial lift manufacturer Almac has unveiled a new range of self-propelled spider lifts.

The new line is being called the AlmaCrawler Billenium series. It essentially combines the company’s Jibbi 1670 Evo self-propelled auto levelling tracked telescopic boom concept, with spider lift outriggers in place of the chassis auto-levelling system. It is calling the new product type a ‘Spiderboom’.
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The new Billenium models combine self-propelled booms with spider lift outriggers

The first two models are the 43ft platform height/15 metre working height B1570 and 53ft/18 metre B1890. The two are very similar and as with all Jibbi booms feature a three section telescopic boom, topped by an articulating jib. Both can drive at height – up to eight metres on the B1570 and nine metres on the B1890. They can also operate safely on side slopes of up five degrees and longitudinal slopes of up to 10 degrees free on tracks. The key benefit of the outriggers is that the machines are lighter than the Jibbi fully self-propelled units.
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The new models are self-propelled up to nine metres

The models are available with two forms of outrigger – the ‘Visual’ fixed outriggers or 'Quick-Pro' telescopic outriggers, which offers six alternative set up positions, including asymmetric, but has a wider stance when fully extended. Focusing on the B1890 the outreach remains the same regardless of the outrigger system chosen – 10.9 metres with 80kg, 9.8 metres with 140kg, 8.8 metres with 200kg and 8.1 metres with the maximum capacity of 250kg. The ‘AWP’ (Adaptive Working Performance) system allows the outreach to be optimised automatically depending on the footprint selected and actual weight in the platform.
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The Quick-Pro outriggers have six set up formations

The B1570 has an overall length of 4.86 metres – while the B1890 is 5.84 metres long or 5.14 metres with the basket removed. Overall stowed width on both models is 790mm with outrigger pads removed or 890mm when they are left in place. An optional extending platform can be manually expanded from a width of 780mm to 1.2 metres. The overall track width extends from 790mm to 1.39 metres. The rubber non-marking tracks are 250mm wide and 2.17 metres long and include a hydraulic automatic self-tensioning system.

The Visual fixed outriggers have a spread to the outside edge of the pads of just under 2.5 metres on the B1570 and 3.12 metres on the B1890. The Quick-Pro varies with its six alternative set up patterns, from 2.76 to 3.65 metres. Three power options are available which include the Honda petrol ‘ETS’, Yanmar diesel engine ‘EVO’ and all electric lithium battery ‘LTH’ version. Overall weights range from 2,600kg to 2,900kg.
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The optional 200kg winch

Options include a 200kg winch for lifting duties, a 1.8 metre wide basket, a mains electric motor and pump to power the superstructure when inside and radio remote controls.

The following video highlights some of the key features of the new range:



Vertikal Comment

This looks like a handy concept, and one which could take off, given that it appears to offer all of the spider lift advantages, with the added benefit of driving at height and working without outriggers set at heights of up to nine metres.

The new machines have a tremendously high specification and likely to be fairly complex, however that is increasingly true of many spider lifts. Its popularity and uptake will depend mostly on the price. If pitched competitively it ought to be a very popular machine, and one that is likely to encourage other manufacturers to enter the market,