Genie launches global slab scissors

Genie has updated its GS slab scissor range to comply to new US-based ANSI standards coming into force in December.

And, now that ANSI complies with international ISO standards, including the European EN280, the new range will also be adopted as Genie’s global product line. It features dual zone control, enabling outdoor use on all models; load sensing; folding guardrails - excluding the micro Genie GS-1330m; and swing gates.

Dual zone

The most significant feature for users of ISO-based equipment - including the EN280, GB KC and Aus standards - will be the dual zone control, as they will already be familiar with the other features. Genie slabs will be equipped with the Smart Link dual zone control system, which incorporates two buttons on the platform controller, requiring the operator to select Indoor or Outdoor operation. When the Outdoor zone is selected, maximum platform height and occupancy will be restricted to allow for wind speed.

For example, the 19ft working height GS-1932, displayed at the manufacturer’s press launch this week, will be restricted to 14.8ft when the outdoor zone is selected. The lowest working height model in the slab range, the 13ft working height 1330 will be reduced to 10.5ft outdoors, while the tallest model, the 4655 will have its working height of 46ft reduces more significantly to 27ft outdoors.  

Customers can identify a Genie GS dual zone scissor lift model in two ways: the platform control (PCON) includes two additional buttons (dual zone), and the Genie Smart Link decal on the platform toeboard has been updated to indicate it is equipped with dual zone control.

On the subject of the GS-1932 it is also designed to minimise the impact of new standard compliance on machine weight and productivity, weighing in at only 2,999 pounds (1,360 kg).

“For Genie, a standard global scissor lift offering has several benefits,” says Mike Flanagan, Genie product manager, Terex AWP. “For rental companies, design commonality reduces rental fleet complexity, which increases rROIC (rental return on invested capital), and the addition of the new dual zone control system feature increases machine utilisation.”

For example, says Flanagan, “operators will now have the ability to switch between indoor or outdoor applications, which enables them to perform multiple tasks using one machine. This capability saves time and increases productivity. For ease of operation, this dual zone control system is intuitive, allowing operators to work indoors or outdoors at the push of a button.”

Nevertheless, the existing range of GS rough terrain scissors will also be available for outdoor work.

The GS global-spec scissor lifts go into production in Redmond, Washington, USA, and Changzhou, China, in late 2019. The models will be available immediately in North America and China, with deliveries globally in the first two quarters of 2020.

Load Sense

Global standards require all MEWPs to continuously check the weight in the platform and disable function if the load is above the platform load limit. On the new Genie GS global-spec slab scissor lifts, load sense is accomplished using a hydraulic pressure sensor and a link angle sensor. Together, the pressure sensor and angle sensor are designed to monitor the platform load and alert the operator if the machine is overloaded. When an overload event occurs, the Genie Smart Link platform controller will indicate -OL-, an alarm will sound and machine motion will stop. In the event the scissor lift is overloaded, weight must be removed from the platform to resume operation.

Guardrails

In North America, the new ANSI A92 and CSA B354 standards require the guardrail height to increase to 3 ft 7 in (1.1 m). Genie scissor lifts historically designed with fixed guardrails as standard, including the Genie GS-1530, GS-1930 and GS-2032 models, will now be equipped with folding guardrails.

A number of other changes have been incorporated, including the addition of toeboards on all entrances and standard swing gates on the platforms. Due to the model’s compact footprint and low stowed height, the Genie GS-1330m scissor lift will maintain standard fixed guardrails.