25.06.2025

The new Navigators

A new UK based aerial work platform manufacturer, Navigator Lifts has announced the launch of two new manually powered push around mast type lifts, the 8.6ft Explora and 5.4ft Scout with working heights of 4.6 and 3.65 metres respectively. Both machines will make their debut at Vertikal Days in September.

The new machines, which use a ratchet type wind up elevation system, join the Navigator 6 and Navigator 4.5 which the new company acquired from Metal & Modular in April, and which are currently undergoing a facelift and design update.
Metal & Modular entered the access market with the Navigator 6 at the UK Executive Hire show in February 2022 introducing the 4.5 the following year.

The larger unit, the Explora has a working height of up to 4.6 metres, while the 722mm by 840mm platform has a maximum capacity of 150kg. A fold down step up provides an additional 300mm of working height. The new machine has an overall width of 775mm with an overall length of 1.5 metres and an overall stowed height of just under two metres, the unit weighs 395kg.

The Scout offers a maximum working height of 3.65 metres with a maximum capacity of 150kg in the 542mm by 600mm platform. The overall width is 750mm with an overall length of just over a metre, with an overall stowed height of 1.72 metres and total weight of 310kg. Both models have an optional pull out stabiliser for a full outdoor rating, while a fold down step up platform is available.

The company said: “The Explora is the first mast lift in its class to reach 4.6 metres, it includes integrated drop,down step and ultra compact design - ideal for tight spaces. Meanwhile, the Scout is also self-powered, with fast elevation and safety features for even more confined or congested areas."

Based in Leicester, Navigator Lifts was established earlier this year to take over the rights to build the original Navigator lifts previously produced by Metal and Modular. The new company is managed by Scott Williams and recruited Michael Brown as technical director, he conceived and designed the original Navigator platforms and retains ownership of the original intellectual property. Since joining the new team, he has been busy working on the new models.

Another new recruit is sales director Stuart Lambert, who got his first taste of the access market with rental company Charles Wilson in 2017, moving to rental company M. O’Brien in early 2019, and later that year to Contract Plant Rental, initially as a regional manager before heading up the access division from 2022. At the start of last year, he moved to JLG to help develop its aviation sales efforts, moving to Terberg Aviation this year, before being asked to join the Navigator venture in April.