SECTOR REPORT: LIFT EQUIPMENT // BY SARAH WEBB, EDITOR
COMPACT
LIFTS 101 Experts explain how rental companies can add compact lifts to their fleet and dive into the benefits of doing so.
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ompact lifts, atrium lifts, compact crawler lifts, spider lifts—no matter what you call them, these types of lifts have been taking up conversation space in the rental segment as of late, despite their relatively smaller size. “Traditional aerial work platforms were limited by their size, weight and maneuverability, making them less suitable for accessing tight and complex jobsites,” says Tom Schneider, vice president of operations at Tracked Lifts. “Spider lifts, also known as tracked or compact lifts, have emerged as a gamechanger in the industry. This evolution has revolutionized the way tasks such as tree care, construction, maintenance and inspection are performed, enabling safer and more efficient operations.” Compact lift providers describe why these types of lifts have increased in popularity in recent years and explain why they can be a beneficial addition to rental companies’ fleets. WHERE IT STARTED
Before gaining traction in the U.S., compact lifts first gained popularity in Europe due to their small footprint and accessibility. “This type of lift became very popular in Europe in the 1980s and 1990s, primarily because they take up less space, and if you look at the old towns in Europe, they have courtyards and narrow streets,” says Ebbe Christensen, president and CEO at Ruthmann Reachmaster North America. “The other side of it was because of the preservation of buildings. A lot of the buildings still had a single door instead of a double door, so you’d need a smaller machine to get through and inside to renovate or work on atriums.”
The machines started to be seen U.S. in the early 2000s, despite some early hesitation. “The main problem was that they require more training,” Christensen says. “Unlike with mainstream scissor or boom lifts, with compact lifts, rental companies would have to deliver more training to customers. Plus, we also have more space in our cities here than in Europe.” However, Christensen notes that after the 9/11 attacks, many buildings required checks on their interior safety systems. “It was checking things like exit
lights, sprinklers or things positioned above stairs that, in the past, would not be checked regularly,” Christensen says. Additionally, by 2005 and 2006, some rental companies came around to the benefits due to the lifts’ smaller footprint and ability to be used indoors. “Because they have a track system, they can be used both indoors and outdoors,” Christensen says. “Another big differentiator is that they can go through a single door.” For areas such as airports, convention centers, museums, train stations, sports arenas and concert venues, that singledoor access is key. Schneider agrees. “Their ability to navigate through narrow spaces and rough terrains makes them highly versatile and
Spider lifts are ideal for accessing tighter, confined areas indoors.
22 JUNE/JULY 2023
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