14.11.2025

In the army

The Roads & Grounds division of the U.S. Army in Baumholder - north east of Saarbrücken, Germany has recruited a 17 metre Oil & Steel Octoplus 17 spider lift.

The Octoplus 17 employs a dual sigma type riser, two section telescopic boom and articulating jib. Maximum working height is a full 17 metres with up to 7.6 metres of outreach at an up & over height of almost eight metres, with the 250kg unrestricted platform capacity. Overall width is 735mm extending to 1.1 metres, with an overall length of 4.6 metres – 3.9 metres with basket removed. Overall height is just under two metres, and total weight is 2,330kg.

The army ordered the new machine from Tadano/ Oil & Steel Germany for a range of duties, including tree care, electrical installation and maintenance/repair of roller shutters, to name just a few. The 170.s high outrigger lift – 630 clearance under tracks – and levelling ability, along with its compact overall dimensions, were apparently critical factors in the recruitment process.

The platform's deployment will be co-ordinated by Maik Bach said: “The 250kg unrestricted capacity and outreach are important factors for us, as is the large display screen for service and diagnostics.

Klaus Niemes of Oil & Steel Germany said: I am delighted that the U.S. Army has joined the German armed forces as customers of Tadano Oil&Steel. Our tracked spider platforms meet the highest quality standards, and the innovative features combined with the platform’s compactness are convincing factors, as was the intensive training on the operation of the platform that we provided during the handover.”

The original Baumholder base opened in 1938 as a large training facility for the German and Austrian armies. The American forces took it over at the end of 1951, adding an adjoining training area from the French army in 1953, when it launched a major construction programme including homes for the families of military personnel.
At its height in the 1970s and 1980s Baumholder had a population of 21,000 soldiers, civilians and family members, while today it varies between 8,000 and 10,000.