In the past, MEWPs and telehandlers were primarily designed to develop best-in-class specifications. Today, access equipment designs give more attention to the demands of real-world job sites and the operators who work to meet them.
“Access equipment designs are going through a significant transformation,” says Ignacy Puszkiewicz, senior director of future technology and industrial design, JLG. “This new generation of machines looks and operates very differently. It’s no longer about general specification updates. It’s about combining innovation with technology to solve the most common job site challenges, like working on uneven or inclined terrain.”
Many applications and working environments make it challenging for an aerial lift with a traditional oscillating axle to work with the boom elevated out from transport position. That’s because these machines are only rated to work on firm, level surfaces (with 5° or less of grade). Unfortunately, most job sites aren’t flat.
As a result, operators are forced to create alternative ways to make access equipment more productive, including:
Today’s Solutions
According to Puszkiewicz, OEMs in the access industry are working to overcome traditional machine limitations in different ways. Some have focused on developing products that reach further and higher, while others have advanced the machine’s control system technology to enable the equipment to work on steeper slopes.
Puszkiewicz believes that while these advancements are essential, the access industry’s future will have OEMs developing technology solutions that are nearer to ground level and focused on the concept of a “smarter” chassis.
“Technologies that enhance a machine’s chassis system not only offer safety enhancements but also extend the versatility of access equipment in changing ground conditions, improving operators’ productivity,” says Puszkiewicz.
New Technologies Coming to Market
“Smarter” chassis technology will benefit general construction applications on undeveloped surfaces, while also improving work on surfaces where infrastructure is already established.
“Technology can help operators working in city centers who want to get closer to buildings but can’t because of the imbalance in height between the streets, curbs, and sidewalks,” says Puszkiewicz. “Also, operators working near bridges and overpasses on job sites which can be extremely limited on space because of ongoing traffic or water obstacles could benefit from using machines with advanced chassis technology.”
As OEMs consider what solutions can address working in varying terrain, they must make sure that the machine is engineered to handle the capabilities of advancing technologies. For example, says Puszkiewicz, when developing “smarter” chassis systems, OEMs need to make sure that the machine can move while elevated and assure the tires contact the ground. The machine’s drive system also has to be capable of offering smooth operation in all conditions. The control system needs to be able to actively monitor and control the machine’s dynamics, such as platform movement, during operation. In addition, the machine must be able to communicate real-time operational feedback via the control panel display.
Several recent developments in machine chassis technology now offer operators new ways to be productive when working on uneven terrain. For instance, variable-envelope, variable[1]tilt, and self-leveling technologies are designed to adjust a machine’s capability under certain conditions to the ground or surface being worked on.
Variable Tilt
Variable-tilt technology is currently used in slab scissor lifts. The first evolution of this technology focused on modifying the machine’s lift height (or work envelope), based on the tilt of the chassis at full load capacity.
Advanced Variable Tilt
A new, modern version takes this technology a step further, considering the tilt and actual load of the platform, measured by the load sensing system, to define how high the operator can lift the platform.
According to Puszkiewicz, equipped with sensors that monitor both the platform’s weight and the machine’s tilt, today’s variable-tilt technology determines the allowable work envelope. The machine then notifies operators through the platform[1]mounted LCD about how high they can elevate before raising the machine.
The display clearly communicates the machine’s side-to-side tilt, front[1]to-back tilt, how much weight is on the platform, the current height of the platform, and the maximum height operators can raise the MEWP by taking those factors into account. This means that operators can see if they should take a little bit less material with them or if they need to get to a spot that’s a little bit more level on the job site so that they can get the full height.
“This technology removes the guesswork that often results in operators having to descend and try again,” says Puszkiewicz.
A further advancement in this type of technology equips the machine with quick leveling capabilities, which is available on telehandlers and rough[1]terrain scissor lifts. On telehandlers, this “sway” uses two oscillating axles to allow operators to manually level the machine (roll control). On scissor lifts, this technology allows stowed scissor lifts to automatically level on a side slope up to 5° while driving at maximum height under certain conditions.
“This is especially beneficial when operators are performing work at height along the outside of a building that has been graded for drainage at a consistent slope,” says Puszkiewicz. “With traditional leveling jacks, the operator has to fully lower the machine, retract the jacks, drive to new spot and repeat operations.”
Self-leveling
As machine control system technology has evolved, so has the ability of OEMs to innovate their capabilities. With the advancements being made today, modern machine control systems are making once impossible solutions possible.
Self-leveling technology for boom lifts is a perfect example of this.
Self-leveling technology is designed to adjust the boom lift’s chassis to ground conditions, rather than adjust the machine’s capability to ground conditions.
With this technology, the control system of the machine assures that all four wheels are in constant contact with the ground, improving the machine’s traction on rugged terrain. Resulting benefits include:
Improved operation, reduced fatigue, and increased operator (and occupant) stability during travel due to less bouncing when traversing over rough or uneven terrain.
Improved terrainability by improving traction.
Minimized need to crib and/or grade the work area, eliminating the trial and effort of repositioning to find level ground. This translates to improved productivity so operators can get more done at height.
Looking Ahead
Technological advancements are expected to continually transform the access industry to maximize productivity and enhance safety. As demand for new technology increases, MEWP OEMs must be ready to respond with innovative ways for equipment owners and operators to interact with and operate these machines.
“As technology evolves, these innovations will not only change how the industry works today,” concludes Puszkiewicz, “they will be the way forward too.”
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Lift & Access is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
