26.01.2022

Insulated spider from CMC

Italian spider lift manufacturer CMC is preparing the launch of an all new 23 metre insulated model, the CMC i23, which it says will be the first model in a new line of ‘i’ series insulated spider lifts.

The lifts will all be insulated to 46kV with insulated fibre boom inserts along with a highly insulated fibreglass material for the one person platform/bucket and special non-conductive oil in the hydraulic system.
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The net effect is a machine that will protect those working in the vicinity of power lines, not only those in the basket but also those working below. The company envisages the new models will appeal to a variety of users for applications such as power line maintenance and industrial maintenance where overhead power lines proliferate and tree pruning, especially alongside power lines.

The i23 offers a maximum working height of 22.8 metres, a maximum outreach of 10 metres at an up & over height of 12 metres with the 180kg unrestricted maximum platform capacity. While the bucket is 600mm square it still features 180 degrees of platform rotation. The unit has 400 degrees of slew - 200 degrees either side of centre front - while the overall weight is 3,930kg.
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The unit is available as a diesel or full electric with 300Ah lithium battery pack and a Hybrid version combining the diesel and lithium power and/or AC mains powered with 380, 230, 120 or 110 volt electric motors.
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The recessed control panel

The overall length of the stowed machine is 7.2 metres with a lowered height of 1.99 metres and an overall width of 890mm with tracks in or 1.4 metres when they are extended for extra stability. The outrigger spread is variable from a width of 2.88 to 4.96 metres wide, with up to 32 degrees of levelling and a free jacking height of more than a metre, ideal for self-loading without ramps.
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The new machine has ample levelling ability

Sales director Alessandro Mastrogiacomo said: “We don't normally talk about safety because we consider it an essential requirement for aerial work platforms. However, with the i23 we have done our best to provide an innovative solution to a specific safety request from many users to offer maximum safety when there is a possibility to be working around overhead power lines. According to the latest IPAF accident reports, electrocution is the second most common cause of fatal accidents for users of aerial lifts.”

Vertikal Comment

Insulated spider lifts are not new - Platform Basket has produced a 17 metre model, the PB18.90.46, with 46kV insulation for more than 10 years, having initially developed it in partnership with its US dealer Tracked Lifts and has a great deal of expertise in this area. That unit was based on a conversion of a standard machine. CMC’s new i23 is purpose-built and with a working height of almost 23 metres and is likely to find a ready market, particularly in the USA and Australia, where high voltage overhead power lines are more widely used.

This could prove to be a very successful product line for the manufacturer.

UPDATE

The comment was intended to highlight the fact that Platform Basket also makes insulated platforms - but a comment added by Carloalberto Molesini of Platftform Basket, updates the situation: "Platform Basket & Trackedlifts have conceived and developed an insulated spiderlift named 18.90.46KV, then because of the US market demand oriented to a taller lift Platform Basket started the development of a new model named SPIDER 22.10.46KV (22m working Height). This model is marketed in the USA since 2018 and more than 100 units are operating in the arborist field."