Dubbed a ‘mega boom’, the new Snorkel 2100SJ telescopic boom lift was recently unveiled at Conexpo 2020 as a preview. It is expected to enter production in early 2021.
The new boom lift offers a maximum platform height of 64.0 m, a horizontal outreach up to 30.4 m, and an unrestricted platform capacity of 300 kg. With a maximum working height of 65.8 m, the 2100SJ can reach an equivalent of 22 building stories, making it ideal for high-rise construction and maintenance applications.
Designed in-house by Snorkel’s engineering team, the 2100SJ is currently believed the world’s largest self-propelled boom lift. It features a number of patent-pending innovations, as well as an industry-leading working envelope with an area volume of 155,176 cu m, thanks to a 9.1 m jib boom - with a working arc of -55° to +73° – and 150° platform rotation.
On the heavy-duty chassis, the transformation mechanism features an innovative design that enables the axles to be extended while the lift is static. The use of the wheel motors, rather than cylinders, to essentially ‘drive’ the axles into their extended position eliminates the risk of tyre scrub on the ground, extending the life of the tyres and providing a smoother extension experience for the operator. The automatic chassis transformation is activated by a single toggle switch.
For such a large aerial lift, the Snorkel 2100SJ boasts excellent manoeuvrability capabilities, with an inside turning radius (extended) of 2.5 m. It also features five steering modes, including front axle; rear axle; crab steer; complementary four-wheel steer; and new lateral steer, which enables the lift to drive side-to-side along a building with the wheels in a 90° position.
Powerful four-wheel drive with automatic traction control, which locks the four wheels together, delivers exceptional performance on rough terrain, and closed loop hydraulics provide a smooth driving experience. Powered by a Deutz turbo-charged 2.9-l, 74-hp diesel engine as standard, an optional 100-hp engine upgrade will be available. Equipped with a 189-l steel fuel tank, the 2100SJ has both an electric fuel gauge, similar to automotive vehicles, and a manual gauge.
Global standards, easy maintenance
Designed to be compliant with all global standards, including ANSI A92.20, the Snorkel 2100SJ measures just 2.5 m wide, which is suitable for all global transport width requirements, including in Europe and Australia. The jib boom is fitted with a rotator to enable it to be stowed completely alongside the boom to minimise transport length to 14.9 m.
For safer loading and unloading, the Snorkel 2100SJ is fitted with a removable RF-controlled lower control panel designed to be operated remotely, either tethered or wireless. The remote-control panel has all machine functions, including drive, and the panel can be easily stowed inside the turntable where it can be used as conventional fixed lower controls.
Both the lower and upper control panels include a 17-mm colour LCD screen, which displays a brand-new multi-lingual Snorkel user interface featuring clear operator communications, such as the pre-start procedure in a visual checklist format, and service reminders.
Developed with ease of serviceability at its core, the 2100SJ comes with large fibreglass cowling doors maximising access to all key service components. The two hydraulic manifolds are easily accessible via the side cowling doors, and the main valve is designed to be ‘inside out’, meaning it swings outside of the lift footprint for improved access.
The main slew bearing bolt heads are located on the top of the chassis to eliminate the need for service engineers to lay down underneath the unit. All filters are located together behind a cowling door for efficiency during regular servicing, other than the engine oil filter.
Consistent with most Snorkel lifts, the 2100SJ is fitted with on-board diagnostics, meaning that no external devices are required to troubleshoot the lift, providing increased familiarity for operators and service technicians alike.
Focused on simplicity, the boom assembly design has 40% less moving parts than the current industry standard, resulting in less complexity and spare parts from a service and maintenance perspective, and increased reliability.
Simplicity is also key in the load management system, which is based on jib boom extension, rather than on the platform load, delivering a simple, single envelope. This means that when the 9.1-m jib boom is retracted, the operator has an unrestricted working envelope of 454 kg; but the when the jib boom is extended, the platform capacity is restricted to 300 kg.
While this system leads to a much simpler experience for the operator, Snorkel has also added haptics to its upper controls. This provides the operator with a joystick vibration experience that becomes proportionally stronger to warn the operator as they near the boundaries of the envelope, to avoid sudden stops when working at height.
In the platform, user-friendly, all-proportional controls provide a smooth and simple operator experience, with three joysticks – one dedicated to drive functions, one dedicated to all boom functions, and one dedicated to jib boom functions. Flat, heavy duty metal toggle switches have been custom-made to be easier to use and are long-lasting, even in rental applications.
Common with Snorkel’s family of telescopic boom lifts, the 2100SJ utilises Snorkel’s spacious 2.4 m x 0.9 m tri-entry, quick-disconnect platform design, which has been equipped with some additional features. The primary upper control panel is designed to be ultra-robust and is produced from cast aluminium with the LCD screen covered by a protective bonnet to shield it from damage and weather conditions.
Safety features
The secondary platform controls are designed to enable the operator to face the work area while positioning the platform, for safer operation and increased precision. The secondary control panel, which provides all machine functions other than drive, is located on the opposite side of the platform to the primary controls and can be ‘folded away’ into a stowed position when not in use to maximise the platform working area and to protect it from damage. Both the primary and secondary controls include Snorkel Guard anti-entrapment systems.
Weighing 36,287 kg and rated for outdoor use up to 12.5 m/s, the Snorkel 2100SJ comes with an anemometer as standard to measure wind speeds. The lift is equipped with redundant, isolated, emergency power supplies to provide at least three alternative options to rescue an operator up to the maximum platform height of the lift. Upon start-up of the lift in the stowed position, the controller performs a check of both emergency power systems. Voltage in the batteries is checked to ensure they have a proper charge, and then the system automatically powers up the pump motor and looks for pressure.
If either of these tests are not passed for both primary and secondary emergency power unit, the operator is notified on the display screen and advised to have the unit inspected and serviced. This emergency power system check is then performed every three hours during operation, so the operator can have confidence that both emergency power systems are in proper operating condition.
For operator reference, Snorkel has published a detailed guide to the emergency descent procedures for the 2100SJ on its website.
Furthermore, Snorkel has announced that Mortier en Trémie ABL recently placed the first pre-order for a Snorkel 2100SJ. Established in 2002, the company supplies premixed mortar in bulk, plus the sale and rental of work equipment, including telehandlers, and tools for masonry and other contractors in a territory covering the province of Quebec, the Maritimes and part of Ontario in Eastern Canada. The deal was signed with Snorkel owner, Don Ahern and Ahern Canada Regional Territory Manager for Eastern Canada, Tom Bell.
