Instant Access takes UK’s first 18m hybrid Ommelift

Based in Kent, Instant Access has supplied boom lifts, tracked booms, scissor lifts, and truck mounts for more than 20 years.

The company recently acquired the first 18m hybrid Ommelift tracked boom in the UK and is getting superb returns on its investment. It has found a great niche for the Ommelift 18.40 RXJ, which is frequently used for NHBC standard inspections on new-build housing.

Colin Sutcliffe of Instant Access said: “The key advantage of using this boom is that its reach means it doesn't have to be close to the house in order to inspect the roof. It has effectively replaced the need for scaffold, which was more time-consuming and costly. It has more ‘up and over’ capability and the most outreach of any machine in its class.”

The 18.40 is what the manufacturer, Omme Lift, describes as a true hybrid, with a combination of diesel engine and battery-powered motor. When using diesel, every operation actually charges up the battery, meaning it can effectively do two shifts.

Chris Park, Operations Director at Instant Access, says this versatility is delivering superb utilisation rates. “The beauty of the Ommelift is that it can be working outdoors in the day time on the engine, then at night it can switch to battery power for work indoors, such as a shopping centre.”

The 18.40 RXJ has a working height of 18.25m and impressive outreach of 10.50m, with a 200kg maximum platform capacity. It has a stowed length of only 4.85m, width of 0.79m and height of 1.99m, meaning it can pass through a standard doorway. These compact dimensions also provide exceptional manoeuvrability in confined spaces. Simple and intuitive controls make operator instruction easy and work quicker.

Instant Access purchased the Ommelift from Access Platform Sales, the UK distributor for Ommelift tracked booms.