New Products Abound at The Rental Show

Both the weather and mood of exhibitors and attendees was sunny at this year’s The Rental Show, held February 28 through March 2 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Nearly all the exhibitors Lift and Access talked with said booth traffic and attendee interest eclipsed the dismal levels of the past few years.

Although some exhibitors said they were waiting to introduce new products at ConExpo, which is coming to the Las Vegas Convention Center March 21 through March 26, several Rental Show displays showed off new equipment or improvements to existing models. Here are some of the notable new products displayed at the show.

Terex AWP, Redmond, WA, introduced its new Genie GS-4069RT rough-terrain scissor lift, which the company says is the world’s first rough-terrain scissor lift that can be driven while the platform is raised to its full 40-foot height. The GS-4069RT is the first of three new 69-inch-wide rough terrain scissor lifts Genie is introducing. The other two models are also drivable at their full heights of 26 and 33 feet. All three new rough-terrain scissor lifts offer 13 percent more platform work space than previous models.

The GS-4069RT’s other new features include: an active-oscillating front axle that keeps all four wheels on the ground during operation, an 800-pound maximum platform capacity, up to 30 percent more horsepower from a dual-fuel engine, and swingout trays for easier access to electronics, manifolds, hydraulics, and the engine.

Snorkel U.S.A., Elwood, Kan., displayed its focus on personnel and low-level access products, such as compact portable lifts for interior applications. David Smith, president of Snorkel North America, said, “We believe that low-level access will undergo major growth in North America, as more and more people swap podiums and stepladders for lightweight, compact aerial lifts.”

One of those units was the XT24SD, a 24-foot towable scissor lift. The unit’s friction drive assist enables a user to tow the XT24SD to the job site, then drive it into position from the work platform, like a standard self-propelled machine.

The XT24SD on display at the Rental Show was the first production unit manufactured in Snorkel’s Elwood, Kan., facility. The model had previously been manufactured by its inventor, but Snorkel recently moved production in-house and now has full control over its manufacture.

Haulotte Group, Archbold, Ohio, not only unveiled a new focus on strong customer support, it displayed its new C3947E electric scissor lift and HA33CJ electrically driven articulating boom lift. The C3947E offers a three-person, 772-pound platform capacity, 40-foot maximum platform height, and can be driven at one foot per second with the platform at full height.

The HA33CJ articulating boom lift offers 33-foot maximum platform height, 551-pound platform capacity, and 23’8” maximum outreach. Its 3’-11” width and 6’-6” stowed height let it travel through standard double doorways. Infinitely variable proportional controls give operators precise inching control to maneuver the basket in tight working conditions.

The control system enables the operator to drive and steer at the same time, plus either rotate the turntable, move the jib, or rotate the platform.

Niftylift Inc., Greer, S.C., displayed its SP64 Hybrid all-wheel-drive aerial work platform for the first time in the United States. The unit boasts several safety features, including Niftylift’s ToughCage, which uses a composite base that will not conduct electricity, burn easily, rust, or crack in cold weather. It is also unaffected by ultraviolet light, acid, and alkalis, according to the company. 

One of its key safety features is SIOPS (Sustained Involuntary Operation Prevention System), which shuts down the machine and sets off flashing and audible alarms if the operator is pinned against the controls. It’s designed to stop crushing injuries.

The SP64 Hybrid offers 61-'4" maximum platform height, 41’-4” working outreach, 360° rotation, and 500-pound platform capacity. The hybrid system can work on battery or diesel power, and 3.5 hours of diesel operation will fully recharge the hybrid system’s battery.

Absolute E-Z Up, Charleston, S.C., debuted its new IAWP-7.3 and CAWP-9.6 aerial work platforms at the Rental Show. The IAWP-7.3 is the smallest in AEUP’s line of electrically powered, self-propelled industrial aerial work platforms.

It measures just 43 inches long by 30 inches wide by 59 inches high when fully lowered and weighs 965 pounds. The unit offers zero inside turning radius, delivers 397-pound platform capacity, and has a maximum platform height of 7.3 feet. AEUP says it’s safer and more productive than using a ladder or scaffolding and is ideal for places with restricted floor capacities. AEUP Managing Partner Mike Buley says the company offers a 10-year warranty on the mast and cylinder, five years on all other components, and one year on the battery.

The company’s CAWP-9.6 construction aerial work platform, also debuted at the show, features a maximum platform height of 9'-6" and 397 pounds of unrestricted capacity on its dual extension decks. It offers 35-percent gradeability, and its batteries will power 250 lift cycles or drive seven miles.

Skako Lift Inc., Kingwood, Texas, announced that it is the new Bluelift distributor for North America. It displayed the newly introduced Bluelift model C14 6.5 in its booth at the Rental Show. The C14 6.5 weighs in at 16,000 pounds but offers 105-foot maximum working height, 52 feet of outreach at 72 feet of height, and 440-pound maximum platform capacity. Radio control and a self-stabilizing system are standard.

Tiresocks Inc., Centennial, Colo., introduced its new product, Fork Socks, at the show. The new product joins the company’s tire socks, drip diapers, and safety pads, as accessories for forklift and aerial lift users. Fork socks are heavy-duty cloth sheaths that slip onto forks and are held in place by a bungee cord. They protect finished, painted, or fragile loads from scratching or rubbing against the forks.   

Harlo Products, Grandville, Mich., introduced a new roomier, high-visibility cab for its 6,500-pound-capacity HP6500 RT rough-terrain forklift at the show. The new cab features more window area for improved operator visibility, says Mike Frey, national sales and marketing manager.

Elk River Inc., Cullman, Ala., introduced its new Platinum Series of personal fall protection harnesses, as well as its new line of Kestrel harnesses designed for wind-industry workers. Paul Doepel, national sales manager, says that the harnesses feature a new tongue-and-buckle adjustor that won’t work loose and new connector. The company is also introducing equipment that wicks away moisture to make wearers more comfortable.