As reported last month, Chinese manufacturer Sinoboom launched a new steering system option for its boom lifts, dubbed the ‘Tank Turn’ at its new product launch weekend at its Changsha plant in China.
The company has now released a video of it in action. Essentially it is a form of skid steer, in addition to the lift’s regular two wheel steering system, which allows it to turn on the spot. Introduced on its 53ft AB16EJ Plus electric articulated boom lift, the system operates at a flick of a switch which converts the machine from the standard two wheel steer to Tank Turn.
The Tank Turn is activated at the flick of a switch
The four independently controlled direct electric wheel drive motors can counter rotate, allowing the machine to perform tighter turns than a four wheel steer model. The video below shows it best.
Peter Peng, head of product planning said: “With construction sites becoming more complex, our customers’ needs for machines that have the flexibility to move around them easily is growing steadily. This technology allows operators to move the boom lift to the ideal workspace more easily, and therefore complete their tasks more quickly, with the result that work overall is more efficient. This is a clear benefit for contractors and fleet managers alike.”
Vertikal Comment
As we said when we first saw this system, it will have its applications, but a great deal will depend on the ground conditions - with non-marking tyres on a smooth and solid floor it will work well, on softer ground it is likely to churn up the ground much as much as a tracked machine. On hard, rough ground you may leave a fair bit of tyre rubber behind. In some situations, the system may also add additional stress to the steering and wheel components. And it introduces additional complexity, something that has put some buyers off four wheel steer on boom lifts.
It has to be seen and tried, if you want to see it the unit will be on display at Bauma in April, and we will make space available at Vertikal Days for potential buyers to put it through its paces.
In summary this is a very interesting innovation, but probably not for everyone.
hairy
Tyremakers will love that feature.
They abound
Niche market, and may well be subsumed.