First order placed for Snorkel’s ‘mega boom’

Snorkel debuted the world’s tallest self-propelled boom lift at ConExpo, and Mortier en Trémie ABL has placed the first order.

Dubbed a ‘mega boom,’ the new Snorkel 2100SJ telescopic boom lift reaches a maximum platform height of 210 feet (64m), provides horizontal outreach up to 100 feet (30.4m) and has an unrestricted platform capacity of 660 pounds (300kg). With a maximum working height of 216 feet, (65.8m), the 2100SJ reaches an equivalent of 22 building stories.

Quebec-based Mortier en Trémie ABL, Inc. has placed the first pre-order for the Snorkel 2100SJ. Established in 2002, the rental company supplies equipment for contractors covering the province of Quebec, the Maritimes and part of Ontario in Eastern Canada. The deal was signed during a dinner with Snorkel owner, Don Ahern, and Ahern Canada Regional Territory Manager for Eastern Canada, Tom Bell.

Machine specs

Designed in-house by Snorkel’s engineering team, the 2100SJ a working envelope with an area volume of 5.48 million ft³ (155,176m³), due to a 30-foot (9.1m) jib boom with a working arc of -55° to +73°, and 150° platform rotation.

On the unit’s chassis, the patent pending transformation mechanism features a unique 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 tire scrub on the ground. The automatic chassis transformation is activated by a single toggle switch.

The Snorkel 2100SJ features best-in-class inside turning radius (extended) of 8 feet, 6 inches (2.5m). It also features five steering modes, including front axle; rear axle; crab steer; complementary 4-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.

Powered by a Deutz turbo-charged 2.9L 74hp diesel engine as standard, an optional 100hp engine upgrade will be available. Equipped with a 50-gallon (189 liters) steel fuel tank, the 2100SJ has both an electric fuel gauge, similar to automotive vehicles, plus a manual gauge.

Designed to be compliant with all global standards, including ANSI A92.20, the Snorkel 2100SJ measures 8 feet, 2 inches (2.5m) 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 minimize transport length to 49 feet (14.9m).

Technology 

For loading and unloading, the Snorkel 2100SJ is equipped 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 7-inch (177mm) color 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.

The 2100SJ comes with large fiberglass cowling doors maximizing access to all key service components. The two hydraulic manifolds are 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.

The boom assembly design has 40 percent fewer moving parts than the current industry standard, according to Snorkel, meaning less complexity and spare parts from a service and maintenance perspective. 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 30-foot (9.1m) jib boom is retracted, the operator has an unrestricted working envelope of 1,000 pounds (454kg), but the when the jib boom is extended, the platform capacity is restricted to 660 pounds (300kg),” Snorkel said.

Controls

Snorkel has also added haptics to its upper controls. Haptics provides the operator with a joystick vibration experience that becomes proportionally stronger to warn the operator if they near the boundaries of the envelope, to avoid sudden stops when working at height.

In the platform, all-proportional controls feature 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 last long.

Common with Snorkel’s family of telescopic boom lifts, the 2100SJ utilizes Snorkel’s spacious 8-foot (2.4m) by 3-foot (0.9m) tri-entry, quick-disconnect platform design, which has been equipped with additional features. The primary upper control panel is designed to be ultra-robust and is produced from cast aluminum with the LCD screen covered by a protective bonnet to shield it from damage and weather conditions.

Safety features

Patent pending 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 maximize the platform working area and to protect it from damage. Both the primary and secondary controls include Snorkel Guard anti-entrapment systems.

Weighing 80,000 pounds (36,287kg) and rated for outdoor use up to 28mph (12.5m/s), the Snorkel 2100SJ comes with an anemometer as standard to measure wind speeds. The Snorkel 2100SJ 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.

The 2100SJ will go into full production in early 2021.