Snorkel, a global manufacturer of aerial work platforms, launched two new booms at the Lift & Access Showcase this week.
Designed and built in North America, the Snorkel A62JRT is a 62-ft. platform height, articulated boom and the T66JRT is a 66-ft. platform height telescopic boom. Both are built on Snorkel's common Polaris chassis.
Richard Tindale, global sales & marketing director for Snorkel, said: "The launch of the A62JRT and T66JRT continues the redevelopment and enhancement of Snorkel's mid-size boom lifts.
"These machines combine Snorkel's renowned durability, reliability, ease of use and ease of service and repair with superior lift and drive performance."
The A62JRT replaces the old Snorkel AB60JRT, offering significantly improved drive and lift capabilities (particularly "up-and-over" clearance) and a 100% reduction in tail swing compared to the older model. Areas where this lift excels include best-in-class maximum platform height at 61 ft. 8 in. and best up-and-over clearance at 29 ft. 6 in. It also has the largest platform cage in its class, at 96 in. by 39 in. and the most compact length when stowed for transport, at 27 ft. 10 in.
The optimized steering on the A62JRT means it achieves the tightest inside turning radius of any two-wheel steering unit in the industry, at 4 ft. 6 in. This tight turning radius, in conjunction with zero tail swing, enables the Snorkel A62JRT to work in more confined areas than its two-wheel-steer competitors - and with much less mechanical complexity than those fitted with four-wheel-steer.
Also new to the Snorkel A62JRT is an oscillating front axle with hydrostatic 4WD. Oscillation of the front axle it is controlled by a valve, which works to keep all four tires in contact with the ground. The axle remains in operation as long as the foot pedal is engaged, which means it’s operational whether the machine is stowed or elevated.
The T66JRT is a 66-ft. platform height, telescopic boom with a 6 ft. jib and is also available without the jib, as the T60RT. These lifts replace the old Snorkel TB66JRT and TB60RT lifts.
Snorkel claims the T66JRT has the best inside turning radius of any two-wheel-steer machine in its class at 4 ft 6 in. A very compact lift, it has the lowest stowed height in its class, at 8 ft. 4 in.; and a highly competitive transport length of just 28 ft. Tail swing is reduced to just 47 in.
Both the T66JRT and A62JRT utilize Snorkel's new common "Polaris" chassis. Introduced in 2010 on the Snorkel T40RT and T46JRT booms, Polaris has garnered praise for its lift and drive speed and rough terrain performance.
They offer proportional control of drive, boom lift and lower, as well as continuous 360 degrees turntable rotation. The telescoping boom, platform and jib functions are infinitely controlled and variable through the use of toggle switches and a rheostat – with a reliable, simple and inexpensive repair solution. A new hydrostatic drive system provides substantially higher system drive pressure, delivering higher torque to the wheels. The result for operator is improved power, gradeability and versatility.
"By building our mid-size booms on a common chassis, they share many of the same components and structural weldments," adds Tindale. "Our customers benefit because they have to stock fewer spare parts. Furthermore, training their service engineers becomes much more straightforward."
Snorkel gave major customers the first opportunity to test drive the A62JRT and T66JRT, at the Lift & Access Showcase & Symposium in Scottsdale, AZ this week. The company displayed prototypes of both lifts at ConExpo 2011. Snorkel expects to deliver the first field evaluation units in the first quarter of 2012, followed by full production in the summer.
