SCISSOR LIFTS
38
ACCESS, LIFT & HANDLERS
MARCH 2014
Terex AWP’s new bi-energy unit
at The Rental Show 2014.
“Our customers use our Hy-Brid Lifts
for everything from electrical to drywall to
plumbing,” says Mike Melthratter, president of
American Scissor Lift.
With an HB-1230 lift, contractors can work
on projects like electrical, plumbing, drywall
and sprinkler systems at platform heights to 12
feet. The lift can hold two people and up to 500
pounds on its platform, which is 30 inches wide,
55 inches long and features extensions that add
nearly 29 inches of length.
The compact units let contractors easily
navigate through busy jobsites, while the
extensions give ample working area for tools and
supplies. The lifts also feature zero-turn radii for
exceptional maneuverability around tight corners
and through doorways.
The HB-1230’s dual front wheels help
distribute the machine’s weight for lower
wheel loads that let the unit work on delicate
flooring, including tile, laminate, raised floors,
and mezzanines, with much lower potential
for damage. Users also can get onto poured
concrete several days sooner with an HB-1230
than with heavier competitive models.
In addition, the counter-rotating wheels reduce
friction so users can maneuver over tile or
carpeting without marking or tearing.
To ensure a clean system for operating indoors
in both finished and unfinished environments,
the HB-1230’s hydraulic system is self-
contained with only two connection points. That
reduces the potential for hydraulic fluid leaks,
which could lead to floor damage and potential
safety hazards.
Custom Equipment uses optimal grade steel.
Because the steel is stronger, less material is
required and the lifts weigh less.
In addition, the process identifies stress points
so Custom can reinforce them without adding a
lot of unnecessary weight. The scissor stacks on
the HB-1230 also offers more stability than the
traditional post design of mast lifts.
The proportional drive and lift systems on
Hy-Brid Lifts give users greater control. They can
adjust how fast the lifts travel and the rate at
which they raise or lower the platforms.
While the platforms are operated up and
down by hydraulics, two 12-volt, deep-cycle
batteries power the electrical drive and
steering systems. Since the systems are
electrical rather than hydraulic, they draw
fewer amps and require less overall power.
Electric drive and steering is standard
for the HB-1230, but is not available in other
manufacturers’ lifts, the company says. Low
weight plus the electric drive and steering allow
the battery power to last up to twice as long, or
as much as 10-16 hours.
The two absorbent glass mat (AGM) batteries
make an HB-1230 lift virtually maintenance
free because they never require users to add
water. The HB-1230 also features an on-board
battery charger that self monitors the current
and stops it once the batteries are fully charged.
This provides a distinct advantage over non-
monitoring systems that continue to feed current
into the batteries after they are fully charged,
says Custom Equipment.
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