UNTANGLING THE WEB WHEN IT COMES TO CHOOSING YOUR SPIDER

In Australia, many industries are now experiencing the vast benefits that come with owning a Spider Lift; a machine concept offering versatility, accessibility, and transportability all-in-one. With over ten (10) brands of Spider Lifts now available in Australia, the decision can be overwhelming when it comes to choosing which Spider Lift is best suited to your business.

Considering purchasing a spider lift for your business? What is important to you? Your considerations will impact your long-term satisfaction and overall business position, so we hope you find some benefit in reading on.

“What machine can offer us the most, within our budget?”. These two key considerations, while significant, can overshadow the importance of utilisation. After all, high equipment utilisation equals good return-on-investment (ROI), right?

“Equipment utilisation is reliant on an innovative design, exceptional performance, ease of transport and superior reliability”. 

It’s in the design.

So, you know how high you need the boom to extend, and you have likely worked out how far you need the outreach to go too, but have you considered weight limiting and the speed of deployment?

ZED style boom systems are by far the most versatile and productive of any other boom. The ZED style boom configuration allows a larger working envelope (range of movement), without limiting the basket weight. A design that is not weight-regulated by a limiting system will improve utilisation and productivity. But why?

If the operator is using a machine with a weight-regulated limiting system, the outreach of the machine becomes impacted. How?

The weight limiting system stops the machine from achieving its peak outreach unless it is at a drastically reduced basket weight. This is to maintain machine stability. Isn’t that a good thing?

Stability is paramount. However, when you have two workmen carrying a chainsaw in the basket, the operator will need to return a worker back to the ground and redeploy with a lighter weight, before being able to extend to maximum outreach. For example, a 200kg basket capacity is reduced to 80-120kg at max outreach.

ZED style boom systems do not limit basket weight. They also operate faster, offering quicker deployment and positioning times. This plays a significant factor in rapid repositioning, which reduces overall labour costs and increases productivity.

Performance is access.

Every worksite usually comes with challenges regarding accessibility and congestion. This is where the spider lift excels. Remembering, if we cannot access the site, we lose utilisation.

Here’s three key considerations:

Dimensions: (length, width, and height of the machine).

Gradeability: (steepest gradient a machine can climb).

Departure angles: (the smallest angle, between ground-level and a straight-line tangent to the rear/front of the tracks and touching the rear/front of the machine.) Refer to image below.

 

A machine with smaller dimensions and a higher gradeability equals maximum advantage when it comes to accessibility. These two considerations also assist with setting up in tighter work areas.

Here’s another three considerations:

Smaller stabiliser footprints: The stabilisers are also known as outriggers and we have even heard them referred to as spider legs! The footprint is the total physi cal space taken up by the machine, including the support structure of the equipment. Refer image right.

Zero tail swing: This allows the machine to turn in all working positions while keeping within its stabiliser footprint, ideal for confined spaces to avoid collision.

Up-and-over capabilities: The boom can be extended in sections, allowing operators to manoeuvre up and over obstacles, avoiding obstructions.

All these aspects of design and performance specifically aid in increasing a machine’s utilisation factor.

Transport made easy.

When looking for a spider lift, we have found transport to be one of the main considerations that is missed. Given that some businesses complete multiple jobs per day, at various locations, transport has a significant impact on a business’ operating costs.

The weight and dimensions of the equipment will impact the required trailer design, braking, load limitations and the towing vehicle’s GVM.
Assessing these areas prior to purchase will assist in avoiding any unplanned costs when it comes to effective transport solutions.

Simply, reliable.

Compared to other machines, spider lifts are a unique style of elevated work platform (EWP), in that they are extremely compact machines with a lot going on, in a small area.

Equipment innovation is heavily dictated by technological advancements. Electronic safety controls, self-levelling sensors, complex load management systems, varied stabilisation with multiple limit switches on both the stabilisers and booms – all create a costly exercise where a technical diagnosis is required.

Manufacturers who use an electronics philosophy of ‘simplicity’ will increase reliability, reduce downtime, and lower the service cost associated with their spider lift. This ensures significant advantages to ROI.

A fixed envelope system gets the job done effectively and efficiently and is far more reliable. Hydraulic and electrical services are housed in the boom section are preferrable, for less accidental hook-ups and deterioration. A superior, fixed 200kg weight capacity with full work envelope is excellent for reliability.

These factors impact the total cost and the ROI, over the term of ownership.

Smarter Spiders.

One manufacturer has considered all these requirements and delivered on every exceptional benefit available in a single machine, through their Traccess machine range (up to 23 metres) Since 1981, CTE has been engineering spider lifts that make working at height easier, safer, and more rewarding than ever. With production of more than 1,000 aerial platforms per year, and a network of dealers in more than 100 different countries including exclusively here in Australia with Platform Sales.

 If your access requirement is higher than 23 meters, you cannot look past Palazzani, the original Spider Lift manufacturers. With working heights ranging from 25 meters to the tallest in the world at a whopping 52 meters, these giant spider lifts truly are the prime example of versatile aerial access.

Platform Sales features in the latest edition of Arbor Age Magazine 2021.

Click on the image below to access the e-magazine.

“The fundamental difference that these spider lifts can make to your business shouldn’t be ignored.  There is an opportunity to boost productivity and performance, improve safety and return higher profits at a lower cost than you will ever likely see again. It makes sense to find out more about our range of access equipment.“

Features overview – CTE Traccess spider lift range:

• Lift heights ranging from 13.5m to 23m.
• 200kg & 250kg basket capacities.
• Z boom which creates best access in Arbor work
• Market leading footprint that allows you to operate in the tightest spaces.
• Rotating Basket
• 5m to 12m outreach

We recently showcased the versatile T200 spider lift in operation for Arbor Age – with special thanks to Ben from Bob and Ben The Tree Men

Find out more about the T200 spider lift features and functionality

 

Productivity and Efficiency – the two most favoured words used by companies worldwide, so how do they relate to the Arbor Industry?

 What are the Differences?

Productivity: the quantity/rate of work being completed. Efficiency: the resources used to produce the work being completed (such as money, time, and labour etc.) In simpler terms, efficiency measures whether there is any waste in your company.

“In the Arbor Industry, the Importance of Productivity and Efficiency is Proportionate”

While productivity and efficiency both help to increase your outcome, one often leads to working harder and the other focuses on working smarter. In many cases, working efficiently will result in increased productivity. So how do you balance scenarios like high demand and low resources, or steady demand and high resources?

Let’s start by understanding more than just the ‘jobs-per-day’ quota. For a moment, let’s focus on maintaining your current rate of works while lowering the resources being used (waste).

As an example, here we look at very basic ‘time wastage’. Suppose you are paying your team to complete three jobs in a day. There is a 20-minute commute between each job, a 20-minute setup per job and a 20-minute clean up per job. That’s 60 minutes p/job which equals to three hours in lost time per day. If these areas could be made more efficient, would you be able to complete a fourth job that day?

Reducing ‘waste’ is one of the key components to achieving efficiency. What’s next?

Process Optimisation

Everything you do is a process. Process optimisation will improve your profitability while also increasing sustainability in ever-changing economic conditions. Processes should constantly be evaluated and evolved to ensure the most efficient way of working is achieved.

For the Arbor industry, this evaluation could mean changing the ways things are done; allocation/expansion/scale down of resources (people, equipment, services, materials, money, time etc.); allocation of jobs; adjusting service coverage; introducing smarter systems to manage operations; or upgrading the operational tools you have available to complete jobs.

Be Visible. Be Accessible. Be Digital.

Today, every business is a technology business. Using the right digital solutions will improve your business in more ways than one; maximise your customer reach; improve operational visibility; improve customer service and communications; and most importantly, automate business processes.

Redundant processes will slowly impact your business’ ability to remain competitive and current. The more you understand about the strengths and shortcomings within your operations, the better – the future of your business relies on it.

“Smart businesses use smart strategies”

 Right Tools for the Job

Having the right equipment to complete jobs can assist with:

1. Safety
2. Efficiency
3. Productivity
4. Repeat Business

These four elements will define a successful business in the Arbor industry.

Having the right tools is important for protecting your bottom line. When productivity takes a hit because your competition can do it quicker, cheaper, or more safely – take a look at the equipment being used.

While tree climbing and cutting is a long held and proud skill of the Arbor industry, the question of safety is ongoing. More and more Arborists are seeking out equipment such as the CTE Spider Lift range.

Platform Sales Australia are a leading supplier to the Arbor industry. Our team are available to not only discuss the CTE range, but to also assist in discussing ways you can improve the productivity of your business. We also have financing options available to assist with purchasing your next equipment item today.

LET’S RECAP:

1. Commit to constant and never-ending improvement.
2. Commit to resources that improve productivity.
3. Minimise waste.
4. Understand your overheads.
5. Invest in systems that automate processes.
6. Learn from successes as well as mistakes.
7. Plan for when things go wrong.

 

*Platform Sales Australia is not a financial adviser. You should consider seeking independent legal, financial, taxation or other advice to check how this article relates to your unique circumstances.

 

It is an understatement to say that we are currently living in unprecedented times, with most of us never experiencing an event like the COVID-19 pandemic.

The global ripple effects caused by this pandemic are unescapable. Loss of life, loss of livelihood, non-existent socialising and a completely obliterated global economy. The outcome of this pandemic is impossible to predict, and rebuilding will undoubtedly take years.

While we navigate the road ahead, what we do have is opportunity. More specifically, the opportunity to come out of this on top.

By now, you will likely have a strong indication of your business’ sustainability and know exactly just how lean your business model operates.

While so many businesses are in damage control with a focus simply on ‘survival’, others are also taking the opportunity to analyse operational sufficiencies and shortfalls. Understanding these areas will undoubtedly aid a faster recovery, build future sustainability, and potentially increase existing market share.

If you are one of the lucky businesses/traders still operational, you might be wondering if now is the right time to invest in additional equipment? You might very well feel like the last thing you want to do is further expose yourself to financial risk.

Here are some of the reasons why now might be the right time to increase your assets and support your business’ growth:

• Record low interest rates and funding restrictions easing.
• Stimulus support for asset write-off and depreciation.
• Finance loans that include a 50% loan guarantee from the Government.
• Equipment manufacturers are overstocked and offering record-low deals that will save thousands of dollars.
• Bonus manufacturer offers such as extended warranties, additional accessories and free training.

We strongly suggest exploring whether some of these options are available to your business.

History has shown us that when businesses make strategic decisions and capitalise on crisis opportunities, making a play at growth during critical times will often prove quite rewarding once the dust has settled.

The work is still there, it is just on hold. In the Arbor industry, trees are still growing. The work might have slowed, but it is temporary. Arborists must be ready to react. Arborists must know what sets them apart from their competition.

Earlier, we mentioned the importance of understanding sufficiencies and shortfalls. This is critical to enable your business’ recovery.  Creating a simple ‘recovery plan’ would certainly go a long way in ensuring your business can do just that.

Your plan might include these essentials:

• Identifying your business’ sufficiencies and shortfalls.
• Current business position (where you are at).
• Ideal business position (where you want it to be, post pandemic).
• Preparing for Recovery (what steps you will take to be ready for the recovery).
• Validity (ensuring the plan is achievable and realistic).

The Recovery Plan should align to your overall business roadmap (business/strategic plan), which right now must be dynamic in this ever-changing situation. It is critical that you remain up to date on your market, your industry, your customers and your competitors. These factors will all impact YOUR business and the actions you need to take.

You don’t need to spend countless hours on creating a plan. The process can be as simple as writing down the answers to the above points on a notepad. Any planning is better than no planning. Asking yourself a few key questions should trigger an influx of more questions, highlight ideas, possibilities, strengths, weakness and opportunities. Successful businesses seek to gain a competitive advantage in the market. What’s yours?

The adage of ‘plan to succeed or prepare to fail’, has never held more significance than now. As part of our plan, Platform Sales Australia has committed to investing in more stock and is increasing its levels of the world leading CTE Traccess Spider Lifts.

If you already operate these superior machines in your business, now could be the best time to upgrade to the latest model or add to your fleet. The latest features and functionality of the T135, T170 and T230’s is unsurpassed. Like us, you can now take advantage of the lowest pricing possible, as well as Government incentives.

If your business has not previously used a Spider Lift, then we recommend reaching out to us today. We’ll take the time to discuss your specific requirements and understand your business.

The fundamental difference that these machines can make to your business shouldn’t be ignored.  There is an opportunity to boost productivity and performance, improve safety and return higher profits at a lower cost than you will ever likely see again. It makes sense to find out more.

Platform Sales Australia has also continued to invest in aftermarket support by increasing parts holdings, widening our service network and extending warranties. We did this to give you extra peace of mind when investing in your business.

So, while we all navigate the road ahead, the time is right to look at all the ways you can improve your current position, and/or be best prepared for the future recovery.

Platform Sales Australia is not a financial adviser. You should consider seeking independent legal, financial, taxation or other advice to check how this article relates to your unique circumstances.

Access equipment, specifically spider lifts, have become an integral part of the Arbor industry with owners benefiting from three core elements – safety, efficiency and increased productivity.

A key accessory to ensuring these core elements, as well as that of operator safety, equipment longevity and performance, are Outrigger Pads.

What are they and what do they do?

The pads are used to expand and disperse the point of contact pressure (PSI/PSF) from the equipment’s outrigger/pontoon/shoe/float, across the ground surface. This weight dispersion ensures stability to the outriggers, allowing equipment to be used on uneven ground – a common occurrence for arborists.

Over 50% of crane and spider lift failure involves a collapse from improper use of outriggers.

If you’re considering using outrigger pads (and you should!), it is important to use the best quality. LODAX Pads will ensure the lowest risk to both the equipment and the operator. Built to withstand the toughest conditions, they’re backed by a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty.

Contact us today for more information.