27-metre platform mounted on Mitsubishi Fuso Canter chassis
(10/02/2010)

Access Industries, of Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire, has sold 10 Canter-based ‘cherry pickers’ with 27-metre reaches in the last year, to a variety of customers including hire firms, commercial cleaning companies, builders and roofers. Compact external dimensions have helped to make the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter the 7.5-tonne chassis of choice for the access equipment specialists.

All range-topping 7C18 models, the Canters were supplied by Hatfield Mercedes-Benz dealer S&B Commercials – the German manufacturer’s dealer network is also responsible for sales and support of the popular Japanese light truck range.

They are fitted with MX 270 equipment by Multitel, Europe’s largest manufacturer of truck-mounted access platforms – Access Industries is the Italian firm’s sole UK distributor.

Unlike competitors’ products Multitel’s booms are produced from extruded aluminium alloy sections, which are significantly lighter than conventional steel. But the application of sophisticated CAD/CAM design and manufacturing processes means there is no penalty in terms of reduced strength and stability – in fact, Multitel says its products are actually more rigid and offer greater safety margins than those of its rivals.

Access Industries Managing Director Melvyn Else explains: “The fact that we can get a 27-metre platform on a 7.5-tonner is remarkable in itself, and only possible because of the design of the Multitel equipment.”

The 7.5-tonne Canter is renowned for its exceptional payload, which can exceed that of other vehicles in its gross weight segment by as much as one tonne. Access Industries specifies Canters with 4.2-metre wheelbases (second longest of the four lengths available), which offer a combined body and payload allowance of 4,655kg.

Impressive though this figure is, Multilift’s equipment is so light that it could also be mounted on most other 7.5-tonne chassis. For Access Industries, the vehicle’s small ‘footprint’ is its biggest attraction.

“Where the Canter really scores is in the narrow, 2.1-metre width of its cab and body,” continues Mr Else. “When folded away our outriggers do not increase the overall width of the unit, which means that it’s relatively easy to manoeuvre in tight locations. And when the outriggers are deployed the vehicle doesn’t take up any more road space on site than is absolutely necessary.

“A Canter chassis fitted with our 27-metre platform offers a transit width that many of our competitors can only achieve with a 20-metre platform on a 3.5-tonner. Whereas if we based our access equipment on another type of 7.5-tonne vehicle, with a wider cab, the whole unit would be wider and thus take up more space.”

At just three metres, the Multitel MX 270 also has a low transit height which translates into a low centre of gravity. “That helps to make the vehicle on which it is mounted easy to drive,” Mr Else adds. “The Canter’s 180hp engine offers plenty of performance while the vehicle is reliable and competitively priced too.”

S&B Commercials has also supplied Access Equipment with a couple of 18-tonne Mercedes Axor in recent months, which have been fitted with 35-metre platforms.