Posts tagged “Spider access platform”

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Advantages of Spiders in Tight Spots

Posted on 2nd April 2021 at 11:30

Narrow tracked spider access platforms are designed and known for being able to get into tight and awkward spaces, this is their specialty! As spider platforms have developed and got larger, one of the main design additions is the multi-positioning settings for the outriggers, or legs.

Outriggers are needed as, from the beginning, the spider platforms have been designed to be light in weight, not only for ease of transport, but primarily so they can also be used in areas where 'traditional' wheeled access platforms are physically too large and heavy. The outriggers also allow the spider platform to self-level, which means they can set-up on slopes/inclines whilst keeping the chassis of the machine horizontal, enabling a safe and sturdy structure to work from.

Selina, our Platform Basket 22.10 EVO, using her adjustable leg settings in this situation and utilizing her 10m of outreach to allow contractors to gain access to a roof to carry out repairs. There was not enough room in the garden for a smaller tracked spider to get their outriggers down.

Tracked spider cherry picker set in middle of fence reaching over roof.

Lotties' First Outing

Posted on 3rd January 2021 at 13:31

The latest addition to our fleet, LOTTIE, a lithium/diesel 20.95 hybrid tracked spider has had her first outing. Although not doing a glamorous job of clearing gutters and down pipes, it is essential work to maintain the integrity of every building. And what a beautiful building and setting this is for Lottie.

She certainly impressed our client with her smooth and sturdy operation. Using her radio remote controls enabled our experienced operator, whilst working from the ground, to manoeuvre our client in the basket to wherever he needed to be safely and efficiently by allowing all-round visibility.

Lottie, tracked spider on lawn clearing gutters.

Lottie, tracked spider on gravel at the front of the house clearing the gutters.

After working on gravel at the front of the building Lottie was moved steadily around the property. When at the rear, plywood boards were used to protect the lawn and with Lotties' superb outreach, she only needed to be placed in one position to reach all of the guttering, which helped to speed up the work.

The Birth of Lottie

Posted on 15th November 2020 at 14:16

The latest addition to our fleet soon to be with us is LOTTIE, a lithium/diesel hybrid tracked spider with 19.9m working height and 9.5m side outreach.

She was born in Italy at Platform Basket and they have kindly kept us informed of her growth with these progress photos. A very close eye was kept on her as she grew, ensuring healthy and steady growth through her development.

Platform Basket didn't need to cut her umbilical cord as she has remote control capability. They did however, ensure that all her functions worked correctly, including:

Kubota diesel and Lithium power sources

Remote Diagnostics

Duel Speed Tracking

Track Widening System

Duel Boom Telescopic Operations

Basket Rotation

250kg SWL (Safe Working Load) Unrestricted

Automatic Stabilisation

Automatic 'Go-Home' Boom Function.

First Parts Trolley with Lotties Components

These two trolley's are the start of Lotties' 'Birth', her 'growth' will be steady and monitored all the way through.

Glazing Repairs with Selina

Posted on 22nd February 2020 at 11:57

Selina, High Reaching Solutions Platform Basket 22.10 EVO tracked spider cherrypicker was requested by one of our valued clients to assist with glazing repairs at a school.

Selina tracked spider cherrypicker going through an archway in a large hedge.

The restrictive access to the work area was no problem for Selina. Her quick release basket was soon removed and adjusting her tracks to the narrow setting reduced her width to a slim 1 meter and height to just 2.065 meters, allowing her to pass through the arch with ease.

Selina after going through arch in hedge.

Spiders in the Woods to Play

Posted on 17th July 2019 at 12:33

High Reaching Solutions received an urgent call to supply a tracked spider access platform for a project in North Yorkshire.

Our new client had been let down by their original supplier who supplied a machine that was not suitable for the task and was consequently removed from the worksite. Sophie, our Platform Basket 18.90 Pro, was delivered, in position, set-up and a full familiarization of her controls and functions given within 3 hours of the initial call.

Scarlett Graces' awkward situation in Leeds

Posted on 13th December 2018 at 13:47

High Reaching Solutions were asked to supply a solution to an awkward situation in Leeds. Decorators needed to work safely at height, 11 meters up and in a relatively confined internal space.

They needed Scarlett Grace, our Platform Basket 13.80 Hybrid narrow tracked spiderlift as she was small and able to set-up and operate in a confined area. With her outrigger footprint of less than 3 meters, both in width and length and her boom just short of 3.5 meters in length without the basket attached. She also had negative tail-swing and her lithium batteries kept noise down to a whisper and engine fumes were non-existent, which is ideal for working internally.

Scarlett Grace going through offset doors

Internal view where Scarlett Grace needed to get to

10th Anniversary with a 100% Safety

Posted on 31st August 2018 at 15:53

High Reaching Solutions have given their 'Ladies' the weekend off.

WHY?

Because over the last 10 years they have been extremely busy helping people to work safely at height!

Since we started on the First of September 2008 we can proudly say "WE HAVE A 100% SAFETY RECORD"!

That's right, a 100% safety, with no near misses!

Not only that, we also have a near perfect attendance record. We are always on site before the scheduled time other than the ONE occassion when our transport vehicle had a serious breakdown. Once in 10 years and covering the whole of the UK, that's not bad and I think you'll agree!

Tracked spider booms arranged in an attempt to display the number 10

An attempt to display the number 10 using the booms of the tracked spiders and Sophie, although not a shy lady, is trying to stay out of the limelight.

Why do we have Spiders?

Posted on 13th July 2017 at 15:53

History shows us that working at height had to evolve to become quicker, cheaper and more importantly safer. This entailed moving on from old wooden ladders, wooden gantries and trestles and of course, hanging from ropes. No…not the around the neck type but around the waist or siting on a sling.

We have now progressed to strong alloy ladders, alloy or steel scaffolding, rope access technicians (with purpose made equipment) and of course access platforms.

Most are self-explanatory, but what is an Access Platform? Simply put, an access platform is a temporary work platform attached to the end of a boom and is manoeuvred into position via a system of hydraulically operated arms/booms.

They are known by different names, here are a few;

• Cherry Picker - used by most as a basic description of all access platforms.

• Scissor Lift – a four wheeled vertical platform known by some as a 'flying carpet'.

• Boom Lift - a general term for four-wheeled self-propelled boom type machines.

• Spider - a term used for a tracked access platform with outriggers.

• Trailer Mounted – a road towable platform that can be towed behind a car.

• Truck Mounted – a platform which is fitted to a vehicle chassis.

• Vertical Boom - a term used for stock pickers or manlifts.

• MEWP - Mobile Elevated Work Platform, the descriptive term.

Scarlett Grace at York, early in the morning

Posted on 23rd March 2017 at 09:30

Early morning start for Scarlett Grace, quiet as a whisper!

Early morning start for Scarlett Grace, High Reaching Solutions 13.80 tracked spider hybrid access platform was need as her initial position faced a very busy and narrow road in York.

Her lithium batteries enabled her to run as quiet as a whisper which meant we were able to work without disturbing the local residence situated in flats across the road and her compact size and negative tailswing allowed a smaller setup and operating area.

So even with traffic management in place the early morning buses and other road users could still get passed without any issues.