Designing a new generation

In November Haulotte launched the HS15 E and HS18 E and HS15 E and HS18 E PRO scissor lifts, new models in the Pulseo Generation range.

Haulotte project manager, Arnaud Robardey has been coordinating the development and industrialisation project for the HS15/18 E machines of the Pulseo range. He explains why these scissor lifts were chosen as the second model to be added to the Pulseo Generation.

“First of all, we wanted to strengthen and renew the range of rough-terrain scissor lifts which corresponds to a very important market segment. The old machines were developed in the 2000s and, therefore, did not incorporate the latest Haulotte standards. It was essential to renew them quickly.

“Moreover, the choice to develop 15m and 18m scissors for this second Pulseo Generation model is a strong strategic decision made by our product marketing department. This allows Haulotte to propose a differentiating offer of high capacity scissors. This range offers 100% electric rough-terrain scissors for maximum versatility, which is highly sought-after by our customers.

“The choice of 15m and 18m scissors is therefore both a necessity linked to our product portfolio and a real strategic decision.”

Marketing product manager, Eugénie Viard-Gaudin,  is responsible for the marketing follow-up of several ranges of machines including this new model of scissor lift.

She said, “Scissor lifts are indeed used by a very large number of professionals for a multitude of applications. These models are essential classics in the catalogue of all major equipment rental companies around the world. With the HS15 E and HS18 E models, professionals can work absolutely everywhere: indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions, day and night, on eco-building sites, in sensitive areas (schools, hospitals, etc.) and in low-emission zones. It’s a real novelty: the lifting capacities and wide platform combined with the Pulseo Generation make these scissors the perfect combination for new applications.

Robardey continues, “Our customers are at the centre of the development of our new products. Throughout the development process, we have defined reviews with our key partners, ranging from the collection of requirements in the upstream phase to the testing of production machines at the end of the project. Feedback from our partners allows us to converge in the right direction. We design these machines for our customers, but also and above all with them.”

Viard-Gaudin says, “These different steps allow us to identify more clearly the advantages or obstacles perceived by our customers and users when they discover the machine. The aim of the project was to develop a rough-terrain machine without compromising on performance. Thanks to our various exchanges with customers, we have had confirmation that this objective has been achieved. In addition to this customer feedback, which is essential for our developments, the project has been accompanied by a number of works on strong technological bricks. For example, the Haulotte Activ’Energy Management system and the development of a Range Extender were born from this type of thinking.”

Robardey goes on to talk about innovation within the new product range. “Everything has been rethought from A to Z,” he says. “Our design office has designed a new chassis, a new machine architecture, as well as a new drive train and energy consumption. This new model has been completely rethought and incorporates many innovations. It is a 100% electric, rough-terrain, totally silent and non-polluting platform with a capacity of 750kg.

“We are opening up a new segment of high-capacity machines capable of operating indoors. The construction sites are different depending on the geographical area and the stage of progress. To adapt our machine to all these configurations, three recharging solutions are available. Traditional charging via the network or two options of accelerated charging via the network or via a Range Extender. This Range Extender (5.5kW Stage 5) is removable and can be installed/uninstalled in minutes before rental when the application requires it.

Viard-Gaudin adds, “This model is also equipped with our new Activ’Energy Management system which improves battery performance and life. This exclusive technology (patented by Haulotte) combines an intelligent CAN charger (smartcharger) – which adapts to all existing energy sources in the world – with a centralised filling system. All of these innovations greatly reduce the emphasis on the operator in terms of battery management, and the cost they can represent for our customers.”