EPL Access adds CTE Z-Series vehicle mounted platforms to its fleet
(23/03/2009)

EPL Access was formed over 35 years ago and is the longest established powered access hire company in the UK. It offers a complete range for working heights up to 46m and currently operates from eight sites across the UK.

Access hire company EPL Access has recently added 10 more Z-Series vehicle mounted platforms from CTE UK to its fleet. The four CTE Z20ES and six CTE Z20 access platforms, mounted on Nissan LCV chassis, will enhance EPL Access’s ability to offer choice and flexibility to the self-drive and operated hire sectors.

“Machines like these are very popular with our self-drive and operated hire customers,” says Danny Cooper, Business Development Manager at EPL Access. “We believe CTE has the best products for this type and size of access platform. By offering two different platforms we have greater versatility and choice for our customers.”

The company chose the combination of the Z20ES and Z20 units to offer its customers greater choice. The Z20ES has a maximum working height of 18.6m, just under a metre less than the Z20, and the overall weight of the vehicle is slightly lower. This means that more tools and equipment can be carried on the vehicle without exceeding the 3.5t limit. One group of customers for whom this is especially important are traffic management contractors who often need to carry additional safety barriers and signage.

Despite the differences in weight the CTE Z20ES and Z20 are almost identical designs. The compact “sigma” folding design ensures there is genuine zero tail swing which means at no time do any moving parts extend beyond the footprint of the vehicle and outriggers at ground level for the best possible safety. Continuous 360 degree rotation ensure the Z20 provides all-round access to support a wide range of service, maintenance and manufacturing tasks.

The basket on the Z20ES has a maximum safe working load of 230kg at all possible configurations of working height and outreach, enough for two average people and 70kg of tools. The maximum safe working load of the Z20 is 30kg lower and this can be a consideration in the operated hire business when the operator will generally be present in the basket because it limits the amount of tools and equipment that can be carried safely. The 1.4 x 0.7m basket on both models can rotate 75 degrees to either side to provide greater access to the working area without moving the vehicle.

“There is very little tolerance with capacity on these lightweight vehicles and this is a big issue for some customers,” says Danny Cooper. “With the Z20ES we lose a metre in height but there are advantages in additional payload.”

EPL Access customers cover a variety of trades and professions including signage, cleaning, painting, highways lighting, property maintenance and arboriculture. The majority are repeat business customers who require the flexibility to choose between self-drive and operated hire. For self-drive customers, in particular, one of the benefits of the CTE Z Series models is the ease of operation and commonality of vehicle and controls across the range.

“Simple operation is ideal for people who might not use them very often,” says Danny Cooper. “The zero tail swing is good for safety.”

The vehicles can also be hired with an operator where the same ease of use and safety benefits apply just as well. From a hire perspective the use of the compact Nissan 3.5t commercial vehicle chassis is good for operations and maintenance because they benefit from the backup and warranty expected from one of the major manufacturers.

EPL Access first selected CTE products in 2004 when it was looking for platforms mounted on 3.5t commercial vehicle chassis to meet the impending licence changes and continue to serve the self-drive market that constitutes a major part of its business. The working at height legislation has driven the industry towards mobile powered access platforms in recent years and this has made units mounted on light commercial vehicles more popular than ever before. Including the latest additions to the fleet the company currently operates around 30 vehicles supplied by CTE UK, all except one being Z20ES or Z20 models mounted on Nissan 3.5t chassis.

“Customers understand their duty of care and are more concerned with their responsibilities in ensuring work at height is carried out in a safe manner and we have more 3.5t vehicles now than ever,” says Danny Cooper. “Safety is always our primary concern.”

Approximately 4000 CTE Z series access platforms are in use throughout Europe. Reliable load sensors provide users with audible and visual warning if the maximum load limit is exceeded. Interlocks prevent further operation until the loading is brought back within safe working limits. Simple controls mounted inside the basket and at ground level are identical across the range so that users can easily switch from one device to another with familiarity.

All hydraulic services are designed for failsafe operation with check valves on all cylinders. During normal operations the access platform is controlled from the basket using simple controls that are identical across the range. Proportional electro-hydraulic activation ensures all movements, including lift, outreach and rotation, are smooth and precise at all times. The platform can also be controlled from the ground, during emergencies for example, using a similar set of controls.

CTE UK works closely with customers including EPL Access to ensure it continues to offer models appropriate to the market. EPL Access was one of the first hire companies to raise the issue about vehicle weight and this led CTE to introduce the a lighter design with the same capabilities. The company offers a wide range of support services including technical advice and spare parts supply that enable its customers to maintain their operations.

“We do our own maintenance and servicing but the general backup and support from CTE has been very good,” says Danny Cooper. “They give us the quick turnaround and prompt service we need to keep the machines in use. By working with CTE we get a complete package.”