T time: is the time right for trailer-mounted aerials?

Available for considerably less cost than self-propelled aerial platforms, manufacturers say their trailer-mounted aerials provide a great bang for the buck. John Wyatt reports.

Overshadowed by the four wheel models in terms of sales, trailer-mounted booms are still a viable product where the less-is-more maxim is key within its applications. With its ease of transportation and comparatively light weight, these units offer end users working on lighter duty tasks a cheaper solution to get the job done all the same. For its cost, manufacturers swear by its efficiency.

As rental yards, both large and small, have a choice between articulating models and straight stick ones, which seems to be their preference? Howard Kaplan, vice president, product parent at JLG Industries, says: “There are more articulated models available in the North American market. Articulated models tend to be favored by smaller homeowners due to their lighter weight and shorter length. The straight stick trailers are marketed as heavy duty models targeted at the light construction market.”

He says the T350 and T500J models are a mix of straight stick and articulated with a boom design that combines compact dimensions and up-and-over reach capabilities of articulated units that have reach capabilities of a straight model.

The T350 electric powered machine, which the company says is its highest volume model, has a platform height of 35 feet, horizontal outreach of 20 feet, 2 inches. Its platform capacity is 500 pounds, suited for applications such as painting, lighting, tree trimming and more. The T500J has a platform height of 50 feet, with a 31½ feet of outreach. Likewise, it has a platform capacity of 500 pounds.

Both models feature hydraulic-auto leveling outriggers, a towing speed of 65 mph with 24 volt DC electric or gas powered engines.

Take five

With its five units in the Summit Series, with two stick and three articulating booms, BilJax's Director of Marketing Brent Hagedorn says the company provides a diverse selection of machines and options that addresses all customer bases in terms of cost and needs.

Bil-Jax's most recent trailer-mounted aerial is the Summit Series model 2622T, a telescoping boom that the company is marketing at a competitively priced machine for light jobs. The unit works at 32½ feet of working height. The first in the Summit Series was the 3632T that offers 43½ feet of maximum working height. Summit Series models feature 24 volt DC power, provided by rechargeable batteries. The company offers a small gas generator as an option.

Hagedorn says the 2622T is a versatile machine for its size but reports that its launch has been overshadowed by the introduction of the self-propelled X-Booms.

Genie's David Spears, product manager, also confirms that at least in the US, most trailer-mounted equipment is articulated.

Genie's two most recent trailers are the TZ-34 and TZ-50. The TZ-50 has a working height of 55½ feet and more than 29 feet of working outreach. The unit features a 500 pound platform capacity in its working envelope.

Up and over

trailer-mounted aerials, via its Fresno, CA-facility, will begin limited manufacturing of its TL37 and TL49K hydraulic models by the end of this year. The TL37, formerly the UK-manufactured Aerial K13 model, is a 43 foot reach height, trailer-mounted boom. The unit is light with an in-line boom that features hydraulic outriggers, jib and powered cage rotation. A drive assist system for the model is in development.

“For the most part, the US market favors articulated and articulated telescopic machines which give good 'up-and-over' reach,” says UpRight's Sales & Marketing Director Richard Tindale. “However, some customers do still favor the simplicity of a straight telescopic boom.”

The TL49K has heavy-duty booms with a working height of 55 feet. Also forthcoming from the company is the entry-level TL34 lightweight trailer, which is a re-introduction of the Aerial E12 model. The machine will have a working height of 40 feet and an outreach of more than 16 feet.

Of course, UpRight is now a sister company to Snorkel, both being owned by the UK's Tanfield Group. The plan is for many of the UpRight scissors and booms to be sold in North America under the Snorkel brand. However, the trailers will retain the UpRight brand in North America and be targeted mainly at smaller rental stores through manufacturer representatives.

Uniquely, Bil-Jax reports that each configuration has its advantages: articulating models have better range of motion, while stick booms provide greater outreach.

Because of its low cost and easy transportation attributes, some in the industry have claimed that trailer-mounted booms are favored by the smaller, independent rental yards. So what is the sales split like?

Genie suggests its models tend to go to both large and small yards. “The vast majority of trailer mounted aerials are sold to rental customers, both large consolidated and small independent rental companies,” says Spears.

Kaplan says that JLG has a more diverse split in its customer base with a greater concentration with independent rental chains and home improvement supply companies than it has with its broader product lines.

In North America, does the same hold for the size and length of these machines? Spears says the Genie TZ-34 and TZ-50 models fit within length and weight requirements and regulations, and they can be towed behind a standard pick up truck.

“One of the main selling features of a trailer-mounted product is its light weight, which allows the machines to be towed over the road instead of needing a dedicated trailer to transport the machines. Their weight also allows for operation on softer ground than traditional aerial products,” says Spears.

Less is more

Bil-Jax says weight and length only seem to be an issue in terms of its costs. “In our so-called soft-economy, customers tend not to buy more than they need. A customer doesn't seem eager to invest in a 60-foot lift, for example, when a 40-foot model will suffice,” says Hagedorn.

For weight and length, UpRight agrees: it claims Europe tends to favor the larger models. “Our experience in the US is that these considerations are much less important here than in Europe, as roads tend to be wider and heavy pick-up trucks capable of towing the largest trailer are very popular,” Tindale says.

UpRight says its customer base appreciates the simple (hydraulic) yet reliable machines that are easy to control and maintain. The company is discontinuing its electric trailer mounts, given the strong reception of its hydraulic products.

Bil-Jax implies its customer base also share an appreciation for the simple unit, as the company claims its users can set up use of its Summit Series in less than 30 seconds. Genie's units are operated by electrically driven hydraulic systems whereas JLG claims its customers chose power source by size, with electric for the T350 and prefer gasoline powered with the T500J.

So it can be said that trailer-mounted booms offer a strong product that is easily transportable, offer fast set up, are becoming more adaptable to terrain during their passage from site to site and perform as solid as other aerial work platforms.