The SJ9253 RT is Skyjack’s largest scissor lift to date with a working height of 17.98 m, and is the first model in the company’s new full-size rough terrain range. This new range replaces Skyjack’s existing 88-in and 92-in models and consists of the SJ9233, SJ9243, SJ9253 and SJ9263 RT.
“The decision to move forward with a new larger rough terrain range is twofold – improve the specifications and performance of our existing models while also mitigating the cost impact of the new ANSI/CSA standards,” said Corey Connolly, product manager at Skyjack. “We’ve enhanced our full size models, but kept Skyjack’s philosophy of simple reliability in the design. Features like our AxlDrive four-wheel drive system and easily accessible service components are still standard in our new rough terrain models.”
Skyjack also has plans for an even larger rough terrain scissor lift that would make work at six stories possible, increasing the number of applications these machines could be used for. The SJ9263 RT with a working height of 21.03 m is in its final design phase and is targeted for launch in the fourth quarter of 2019.
“Similar to what we did with our DC scissor lifts, we looked at what changes needed to happen to meet ANSI compliance, and dug further to see how we can make these more beneficial for our customers,” said Mr Connolly. “We’re increasing the number of jobsites these machines can be used on, while also lowering our customers’ overall cost of ownership.”
These models boast increased working heights, increased capacities, faster function speeds, all along with market’s largest work platform across the range. The new models also feature an enhanced control system – maintaining Skyjack’s colour coded and numbered wiring system, while further improving the ease of troubleshooting and integration with the Elevate telematics solution.
“A key improvement to this range is Skyjack’s Smartorque technology, which provides the machines with excellent torque and hydraulic performance, but with less engine horsepower,” explained Barry Greenaway, product manager at Skyjack. “This system has been used on our TH series since 2015 and the fact that it doesn’t require diesel particulate filter (DPF), diesel exhaust (DEF) and no other active exhaust after treatment is extremely beneficial to rental companies.”
ANSI standards
Skyjack has also released a white paper highlighting the core changes to its DC scissor products in conjunction with the new ANSI standards. It outlines what Skyjack did to go beyond compliance and treat these new designs as an opportunity.
“Skyjack’s primary objectives are to continue supplying our customers with simple reliable products that give them a great ROI,” explained Brad Boehler, president at Skyjack. “Many of the new standards now align North American machines with what’s been in use in the rest of the world for decades. Some of these changes may be perceived as negative at first, but our team has done our best to make other improvements to mitigate that initial hesitation.”
Skyjack initially launched a white paper when the standards were impending early 2017, however the standards that officially passed in December 2018 had slightly changed. With standards officially published, the company is communicating the solidified changes for its A92.20 compliant DC scissor lifts. While the white paper itself primarily focuses on DC scissor lifts, it does mention that Skyjack booms will see an increase in capacity ratings.
“SkyCoded has been at the heart of every Skyjack machine for decades and our colour coded and numbered wiring system will still be there, but we’ll now have a display that explains errors in plain language,” said Kristopher Schmidt, product manager at Skyjack. “It ties perfectly into Elevate telematics and gives us more insight into the machine’s usage.”
In addition to outlining the changes to its new ANSI-compliant machines, the white paper also outlines how Elevate works with this new system. Products within Elevate’s digital suite such as Elevate On are able to track machine pre-checks and make familiarisation material more easily accessible on-site.
“New standards affect everyone within the rental ecosystem and our team is working hand in hand with our customers, by providing material for them and end users with material such as this white paper, to help contribute to a seamless integration,” concluded Mr Boehler.
