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ACCESS in ACTION
TECH
TALK
Maintaining productivity of a scissor lift in
sub-zero environments
The growth in food distribution is
creating a demand for utilising scissor
lifts in subzero conditions for facility
maintenance.
Enormous distribution freezers, where
temperatures can drop to minus 40
degrees Celsius, are being increasingly
utilised by the retail sector to warehouse
large quantities of perishable foods.
Often the freezers are massive spaces,
where electric scissor lifts are used for
maintenance.
The trouble is not every scissor lift on
the market is designed to operate in
the artic-like conditions found in these
industrial refrigerators. Therefore, before
committing to a scissor lift, be sure to tick
a number of boxes to help you get the
peak performance from your machine.
Start by checking the machine’s
operating specification is suitable for the
environment. The manufacturer or the
rental yard will be able to confirm if the
design is rated for subzero conditions.
When operating in the chilly confines
of a freezer, it is best practice to plan to
work on the basis of short burst intervals.
Typically this means no more than a
one hour stint in the freezer followed by
another hour on the outside to allow the
machine – and its operator – to thaw out.
This operational imperative will not only
provide safeguards for the machines,
but also for the operators. Operating
elevating work platforms inside industrial
freezers for longer periods will have
a detrimental impact on the machine
battery capacity and the performance of
the hydraulic system.
If the plan involves lengthier work
intervals, it’s important to discuss the
options with the manufacturer. Some
machines will have hard and fast rules
about their operational efficiency in
cold conditions. If the job’s requirement
involves running the machine for
extended periods, there are options
available such as battery warmers and
suitable hydraulic fluid for the application
from most manufacturers of elevating
work platforms.
Finally, a risk assessment is a necessity
– indeed it’s a prerequisite for a scissor
lift whether it is operating in a freezer
or a warehouse. It’s standard practice to
complete a risk assessment that identifies
the hazards encountered by operators
during the scope of works.
For more information about
choosing a scissor lift suitable for
operating in an industrial freezer,
contact: Mitch Ely, Terex Aerial
Work Platforms Ph: 1800 788 633 or
www.genielift.com.auProviding a safer and more productive
alternative to ladders, the T10E has a
platform height of 8.10m, a horizontal
reach of 3.08m and with an up-and-over
reach height of 6.51m.
The T10E has a proven, see through
forklift style mast and a 1.6m jib boom for
access to difficult to reach places.
With a platform capacity of 200kg, the
low maintenance steel platform with
non-skid mesh floor and rear-entry
slide-bar provides a safe, stable working
environment for two people indoors and
out.
Ease of operation and manoeuvrability with mast lift
Fully proportional drive with slew joystick
control and integral thumb-steer switch
provides precise positioning in confined
spaces.
Drive via the rear wheels through
brushless AC motors, reduction
gearboxes and spring applied brakes to
non-marking tyres provides outstanding
gradeability of 25%.
The T10E is powered by a 24v DC traction
battery with integrated, automatic
inverter type charger.
Contact: 131 554 or visit website:
www.jlg.com.au40
ACCESS IN ACTION • NOVEMBER 2015
Compact, powerful and efficient, JLG’s Toucan Vertical mast lift – the
T10E Electric Toucan – runs on battery electric power, and is ideal for
a range of indoor and outdoor applications.