22.09.2009

UpRight launches push-around scissor lifts

Aerial lift manufacturer UpRight Powered Access has unveiled numerous new models including a three model range of push-around scissor lifts and two large, twin deck Rough Terrain scissor lifts. The company says it aims to plug the ‘volume’ gaps in its current product line up.

Further machines will be launched at its International distributor conference next month making 17 new machines in total.

The new push-around scissor lift ‘PAX’ range consists of three models. the PAX6, 8 and 10 with maximum platform heights of 1.7 metres (6 feet), 2.5 metres (8 feet) and three metres (10 feet). UpRight says it is the first global aerial lift manufacturer to produce push-around scissor lifts.
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Smallest in the push around scissor range - the 1.7 metre platform height PAX6

“We are returning to our roots,” said UpRight sales and marketing director Richard Tindale. “UpRight has always been a pioneer in personal access solutions, and the PAX series is the first in a new line of compact powered access solutions to meet today’s focus on safe work at all heights. Development of this market segment is a natural progression in our business growth, alongside our more traditional construction-oriented platforms.”

All three models have 240kg platform capacity and a transport width of 0.7metres with stowed heights of under 1.7metres. They are fitted with non-marking castors and sealed-for-life batteries with an on-board multi-voltage charger.

Weighing 220kg, the PAX6, has a 3.7 metre working height, can be fully elevated in 12 seconds and is said to achieve 400 lifts on a single battery charge.

The 4.5 metre work height PAX8 is fitted with swing out stabilisers with an operating width of just under 1.1 metres. It can be fully elevated in 24 seconds, can achieve 350 lifts on a single battery charge and weighs just 278kg.
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The 2.5 metre platform height PAX8

The 288kg PAX10 claims to be one of the few push-around scissor lifts to offer a full five metres of working height, yet retains the same dimensions and lift capacity as the PAX8. It can be fully elevated in 32 seconds and can achieve 300 lifts on a single battery charge.
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Largest push around? The three metre platform PAX10

The PAX series is built in China with deliveries to customers from the end of November 2009, and is available to order now. End user pricing is ‘aimed to be competitive’ at £2,500, £2,750 and £3,200 respectively for the three models.
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Richard Tindale with three of the new machines - SPM20, PAX6 and PAM26

“We believe that low level access will become a major growth segment in the aerial lift industry, with a huge potential demand, driven by increasing awareness of the benefits both in human and economic terms of working safely at height. People are realising that this applies at the 4-5 metre level as much as at greater heights – and far more people work at this level.” says Tindale.

UpRight has also announced two further low level models. The 10 metre working height PAM 26 push-around mast lift, and the eight metre SPM20 self-propelled mast lift, adding to its range that already includes the 5.6 metre TM12
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The new 10 metre PAM26

The PAM 26 is priced some 35 percent below UpRight's UL25 push around mast lift and is said to be easier to reposition, with integral jacks.

The SPM20 has wheelchair type powered rear wheels with caster wheels at the front and is steered using a bi-directional joystick. Its weight of 850kg is however too heavy for Kingspan type flooring.

The company says that it is working on further low level access developments and will launch the X24SD, a self propelled version of its towable scissor lift, featuring a drive motor on the road wheels, next month
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The new eight metre SPM20

The company has also unveiled two new Rough Terrain scissor lifts, the 15 metre working height X43RT was seen for the first time at the end of last year, but feedback from distributors has meant a total redesign. Its rough terrain range now consists of three machines from the existing 12 metre working height X32RT up to the 18 metre working height X52RT.
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The new 15 metre working height, twin deck X43RT

Features now include 'easy-push' twin, 1.3 metre deck extensions (a hydraulic option will be available if needed) giving a deck length of 1.83 x 6.57metres, 680kg lift capacity and four wheel drive with solid cushion tyres. Gradeability is 50 percent for the X43 and 40 percent for the larger X52.

A range of up to eight different materials handling attachments – pipe stands, sheet handlers etc – will also be available shortly.

Both machines feature integrated, on-board diagnostics which UpRight says is the way forward for all of its platforms. The Rough Terrain scissors are available now with Heli in Belgium having already placed the first order.
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The X52RT shows off its gradeability

“This is the volume sector of the RT scissors so we are not looking to expand the range any further, next we will be looking at electric and compact scissors” says Tindale.

Vertikal Comment

It was only a matter of time before one of the mainline self propelled lift manufacturers took a look at the push around scissor market, which has taken off in a big way in the UK, where contractors are finally beginning to appreciate the efficiency savings compared to podium steps and other low level access solutions.

Most of these products are being built in China, including the originator of the sector – Pop-Up and Youngman’s BossX3. The surprising thing is that UpRight elected to follow the Pop-Up Plus and use outriggers on the larger two models.

The Boss X3 offers 8.4ft/2.55 metres platform height without them, while the UK built Power Tower has a full 10ft/3 metres without them. In spite of this the company’s entrance into the market will help expand the market in the UK, but more importantly will have a larger impact in other countries thanks to UpRight’s distribution network.

The RT scissors look like solid performers although this is hardly the best time to be launching such products. However widening the range in this manner will help retain distributors and give them more market sectors to go after.

The big challenge with launching so many new products at the same time is to avoid some products becoming the runts of the litter as buyers focus on the more exciting and easier to sell models. Not to mention making sure that all the normal launch material is ready on time form literature to parts and service manuals to technician training.

Saying this it is nice to see some interesting new product launches in these tough times.