Executive Hire News › Archives › January/February 2009 › Exhibitor Profile : Youngman's "X" appeal

Exhibitor Profile : Youngman's "X" appeal

Youngman continues to expand its access products portfolio. Alan Guthrie visited its Essex headquarters to learn more.

Tradesmen undertake a wide variety of tasks involving work at height, and access equipment manufacturers continually develop their ranges to reflect this. The Youngman Group is no exception, and its latest products will be unveiled at next month’s Executive Hire Show.

Business Development Director, John Bungay, says that the market remains strong for equipment enabling tasks to be carried out safely at lower heights and which require little or no assembly. “We already offer products like our P1000 and P1500 podium steps and our Adjusta-Minit height-adjustable work station, which are ideal for overhead tasks where equipment has to be re-positioned frequently, such as installing long overhead cable runs. In addition, there is strong demand for a compact electric scissor lift that is rugged enough for hire fleets, and so we have developed our new Boss X3, a tough, lightweight machine offering a fully integrated solution.”

The battery powered X3 (named after its three-scissor configuration) has a maximum 2.55m platform height, a 0.56 by 1.05m deck and a 240kg lift capacity. The user wheels the machine into position, locks the castors, climbs in and presses a button on the detachable handset to raise and lower the deck. Full height is reached in 12 seconds. “We specifically asked hirers what they wanted from the product,” says John Bungay. “As a result, serviceable components like the motor, pump and battery are housed in a pull-out tray for easy access. Box section steel is used for the scissors for strength and rigidity, and joints are bushed to minimise wear.

“All four castor wheels are braked and a safety cut-out activates on descent at 1.85m. The weight distribution means no stabilisers are needed and a tilt sensor allows a maximum chassis inclination of 1.5? before an alarm sounds. A safety cut-out prevents the platform being overloaded.
At 0.7m wide, the Boss X3 fits through standard doorways and into passenger lifts, and having an automatic battery charger avoids the need for a separate switch that could be damaged in use. The heavy-duty battery gives up to 225 lifts and descents per charge.”

Youngman will also officially launch Boss Evolution, the latest version of its market-leading Boss tower system but without T-pieces. This is achieved by direct tube-to-tube welding of components using laser cutting and robotic welding equipment installed as part of a significant investment at the company’s factory in Maldon, Essex. Boss Evolution frames are lighter, stiffer, less expensive and fully compatible with the traditional Boss system. A pedestrian access pavement frame for Boss towers has also been introduced.

Seen as a prototype at the 2008 Show, Youngman has now introduced the Teleguard telescopic platform ladder. Available in 4-6 and 7-9 rung formats with maximum platform heights of 1.62 and 2.44m respectively, it has a 610 by 444mm platform and a 150kg static load capacity. It is designed to enable simple rung-by-rung adjustment with the stabilisers remaining in their original position. The product folds flat when not in use.

Also on the stand will be an enhanced Combi 100 three-section aluminium ladder system. It can be used as a stepladder, extension ladder, extending stepladder or, in a new mode, as a stairway ladder and is available in 2, 2.5 and 3m sizes. Joining it will be the new Transforma, a professional multi-function ladder offering 19 working heights and four modes of operation. Designed around a telescopic four-tread unit, it can be configured as an adjustable stepladder, a stairway ladder, and extension ladder or as two trestles supporting a telescopic aluminium staging. Also on show will be a Youngman staging with a lightweight composite deck in 450 and 600mm widths.

Youngman also recently re-launched its web site which, as well as having details of its products, explains services like training and its Boss Repair Centre, and enables safety guides and instructional videos on equipment to be viewed. •

01621 745900
www.youngmangroup.com