Bi-energy Hinowa LL 33.17s is ready for Ireland’s high-rise boom

Access Platforms Sales has supplied Height Platforms with the first bi-energy Hinowa Lightlift 33.17 spider platforms in Ireland.

The powered access hire specialist, which has depots in Naas, Dublin and Cork, has taken delivery of two of the highly sustainable and flexible platforms.

The Hinowa Lightlift 33.17 Performance IIIS spider platforms will play a key role in supporting an increasing number of high-rise building projects, especially in Dublin.

Height Platforms Managing Director Robert McDonald said: “For a number of reasons, there is a growing trend in Dublin in particular for buildings to be designed to be higher and closer together.

“This is creating some difficulties when using conventional self-propelled booms in confined spaces which the Hinowa LL 33.17s overcome very well.

“As bi-energy platforms they will also help our clients meet their carbon footprint and quiet working commitments. So, we’re expecting them to be very popular.”

The Hinowa LL 33.17 is the tallest spider platform is the Performance range. It has a maximum working height of 32.5m and a maximum outreach of an impressive 16.5m, with a 230kg unrestricted basket capacity.

Yet, it has a travel width of just 1.7m, around 30 per cent less than a comparable self-propelled articulating boom.

The spider platform can be operated using either a petrol or diesel engine or by switching to all-electric power delivered by lithium ion batteries.

APS is the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor of all Italian-made Hinowa products, including spider platforms, mini dumpers and tracked forklifts.

Shane Paver, Northern Sales Director for APS, said: “We’re very pleased that Height Platforms has taken the first two bi-energy Hinowa LL 33.17 spider platforms in Ireland.

“The platforms deliver big advantages in terms of zero-emissions and low-noise operations, especially in live environments in sensitive locations, for example hospitals, care homes and on housing estates.

“Their bi-energy capability allows the platforms to be tracked on thermal engine power, then switched to all-electric lithium battery power to work at height for a full day.”

Height Platforms also operates the Hinowa Goldlift 14.70 IIIS spider platform, which has a working height up to 14m, and the Hinowa Lightlift 26.14 Performance IIIS, with a maximum working height of 25.7m.

Robert McDonald said: “Like the other spider platforms in the Hinowa range the LL 33.17 is easy to operate, with smooth and precise controls and smart features for fast and safe working.

“Once our clients have tried Hinowas they don’t want to use anything else. And because the controls are compatible across the range, they don’t need any additional training to work at different heights.”

The trend for locating high-rise developments on more compact sites is being replicated in cities in the UK and across Europe as planners seek to make best use of increasingly limited urban space.

This is driving growing demand for Hinowa spider platforms, like the LL 33.17, for use on construction projects, building inspection and facilities maintenance.