Smartlink upgrade for operator satisfaction
Genie SmartLink is a user-friendly control system, which comes as standard on European-produced electric Genie GS-series scissor lifts, GS-69 DC & BE scissor lifts and Runabout family products. The system was upgraded in 2014 with a simplified user interface, new proportional joystick lift and drive controls, and new push-button selection of lift, drive and outrigger functions. The upgraded system makes the units easier and smoother to operate and service and is getting an enthusiastic response from equipment owners and operators.
Roger Wickens, group technical manager of large European access equipment provider Lavendon Plc Ltd said, “Feedback from end-users has been excellent. The SmartLink upgrade features proportional joystick lift and drive controls instead of 2-speed push-buttons. Movements with the joystick are more precise and smoother, making elevation or drive easier and faster.
“Our customers appreciate the system’s simplified screen overview. On-board diagnostics are easy and advanced trouble-shooting at ground level is convenient thanks to the Ethernet cable feature that connects to any laptop computer,” says Wickens.
In Israel, for Avi Arditi, technical service manager for Authorised Genie Distributors AMIR, the SmartLink upgrade delivers several other benefits. “We love the colour-coded connection system which makes installation much simpler. Troubleshooting is also more efficient. If a cable comes loose, an on-screen message immediately identifies the corresponding cable. Thanks to the automatic calibration system, machines can now be calibrated with zero load, which is a great time-saver.”
The upgraded version of the Genie SmartLink is fully integrated as standard on all ten CE compliant European models of Genie GS electric scissor lifts produced in Coventry UK and Genie Runabout products made in Redmond, WA, USA.
For earlier Genie SmartLink equipped units, a retrofit kit including software update, controller overlay replacement, upgrade decal kit and replacement manuals is available to order without the need to replace existing platform or ground control units.