UK companies invest in new Hinowa boom

Two rental companies have become the first UK customers for Hinowa’s latest tracked boom, supplied through UK distributor APS.

GT Access and Hire! Freeman expanded their fleets with the new Hinowa 20.10 Performance IIIS, shown for the first time at bauma. It can lift 230kg, enough for two people with tools, throughout its working envelope of 18 m maximum platform height and up to 9.7m horizontal outreach. The dual pantograph boom design also allows working flush with walls and has a three-speed drive system which helps reach the work area quickly.

Hire! Freeman’s investment builds on its recent fleet expansion earlier this year, when the company purchased four powered access platforms from APS: a Hinowa Goldlift 14.70 tracked boom; Niftylift HR12 self propelled articulating boom; and two Nifty 170 trailer-mounted booms.

John Freeman, managing director of Hire! Freeman, said, “We supply a lot of access solutions to owners of historic buildings, such as stately homes and churches. We need machines that can overcome the multiple challenges of these job sites, such as obstacles, narrow access points and disturbed or uneven ground, as well as requiring significant working height and outreach.”

GT Access has one of the largest fleets of Hinowa tracked booms in the UK. Jonathan Till, managing, commented, “The 20.10 is a good fit between the 23 m and 17 m models in our existing Hinowa fleet. The machine has been out on hire ever since we purchased it, with one customer after another.”

The Lightlift 20.10 utilises Hinowa’s new Performance IIIS system, which is designed to make travel and set-up faster and more efficient. Features include outrigger deployment, levelling and retraction with one touch of a button; auto speed control taking into account ground conditions and track width extension status; and wireless remote control.

The display panel alerts owners when the machine is due for a service, or when a new version of the control software is available for download. And Hinowa’s RAHMino system allows the owner to remotely monitor the machine’s location and operation, and diagnose faults.

APS (Access Platform Sales) is the official UK distributor for Hinowa’s full range of tracked access platforms, mini-dumpers and forklifts.