APEX: IRN's guide to the largest access equipment show this year

APEX is already a well-established aerial platform exhibition - the first event was held back in 1996 - but this year's event, on 17-19 September in Maastricht, promises to be one of the best ever, with exhibition space already sold out and a waiting list of hopeful manufacturers still trying to get in.

As a one-stop shot for access equipment APEX is still unrivalled: around 115 companies will exhibit everything from self-propelled booms and scissors, to truck mounted platforms, crawler-mounted Spiders, vertical mast platforms, as well as hoists and mast climbing work platforms.

You will see all the names that you expect to see at such a show - JLG, Haulotte, Genie, Manitou etc - - but this year's show promises some surprises as well. Chinese manufacturer Beijing Jingcheng used the show as the launch pad for the export launch of its self-propelled booms and scissors - a 10 m scissor and 32 m telescopic boom will be on show.

Also newly exhibiting access platforms in Europe will be Hanix Europe, the European subsidiary of the Japanese manufacturers, which will show a Japanese-built crawler mounted articulated boom in Maastricht.

Another highlight will be the presence of Wumag's massive 102.5 m WT1000 platform, in Riwal colours.

APEX is also notable for the large number of Italian manufacturers taking part. Expect a number of new machines, including Oil & Steels's Octopussy 2190, a tracked self propelled platform which can lift 200 kg to a 21 m working height, and also its latest t3.5 t GVW truck mounted platform with an interesting new take on outrigger design.

Platform Basket's new Spider 18.75, with an 18 m working height comes in a wide or narrow version. Again designed for confined spaces and to be driven on uneven surfaces, the machine suits cleaning, maintenance and inspection applications.

Italy's CTE will show its improved CS 135E spider and Hinowa's new Lightlift 23.12 should also be on show. The Lightlift has a maximum working height of 23.2 m and 11.4 m outreach, it is designed to withstand winds up to 12.5 m/sec and horizontal force of 400 N. Multitel Pagliero will be showing its range of agile truck mounted platforms the newest models being MX 270 and MX 130 with 27 m and 13 m working heights respectively.

Also popular for applications outside mainstream construction are mast lifts produced by a number of manufacturers including Genie, JLG and UpRight.

On show for the first time at Apex you will see Manitou's new VJR Evolution Series. These machines have a vertical telescopic mast, which allows work in restricted areas, with a jib that provides 3.3 m out-reach and can rotate 3500 in each direction. The 80 VJR and 100 VJR Evolution models have been designed with particularly low weights 2250 and 2600 kg, respectively, which opens up the range of industrial applications where they can be employed. Transfer motors fitted to the VJR Evolution range have improved the battery's operational period, reducing power consumption.

This year's show will also be notable for the growing number of telehandler manufacturers attending. JLG, Genie, Manitou and Haulotte will have their handlers on show, of course, but also exhibiting is JCB, Dieci, Faresin and Merlo.

As in previous years we also have the free APEX conference on the opening day of the exhibition, and additionally, on the day before the show, 16 September, the second Europlatform conference will be held in Maastricht.

We look forward to seeing you in Maastricht.