Trusted equipment solutions company Goscor Access Solutions launched two brand new articulating boom lifts from mobile elevated work platforms manufacturer Genie.

The company launched the new Genie Z45/25 XC and hybrid Z60/37 FE at the African Construction Exhibition held at Gallagher Estate Convention Centre from June 11 to 13.

Goscor Access Solutions national sales manager Marcus Gartside explains that it was the company’s first time attending the show, which was hailed as the must-attend show for the built environment.

“We were pleasantly surprised at the calibre of decision-makers that came through the doors and the response to our new machines was astounding,” he says.

Gartside adds that his team proudly showed off the capabilities of the new Genie Z45/25 XC and the Genie Z60/37 FE articulating boom lifts. Visitors to the show were impressed as both machines are innovative in their thinking and design and have been built to please the boom lift market.

“The Genie Z60/37 FE offers a revolutionary approach to midsize booms in the industry. It is two machines in one, offering the versatility of a diesel and electric machine combined,” says Gartside.

He adds that, the hybrid Genie Z60 FE (fuel and electric) has two modes, namely fully electric mode, which can operate for a full day on a single charge, or the hybrid mode, which offers up to one week run time on a single tank of diesel.

When operating in hybrid mode, the machine allows the generator to kick in when the batteries are in need of a charge. The diesel engine takes over and the motor generator recharges the depleted batteries.

In just four hours, the batteries are charged to approximately 80%, allowing the electric engine to take over once again and the diesel engine to stop.

“The concept of the Genie Z60/37 FE’s two-way motor is similar to that of a hybrid car, making this machine incredibly energy efficient and ecofriendly. The machine is, in fact, more powerful than a traditional hydraulic driven machine and only uses 60% to 70% of the energy consumption of previous models. When the machine brakes, energy is sent back to the batteries through a regenerative system, again preventing wastage of energy,” he says.

Further, an additional selling point of the Genie Z60/37 FE is its 4 × 4 capabilities. A three-phase alternating current electric drive motor on each wheel with internal speed sensors allows the onboard computer to send through just enough power and torque to the motor that needs it, ensuring positive electric traction control.

Gartside believes that the machine is a game changer in the access equipment arena and offers true market leading technology.

When it comes to the Genie Z45/25 XC Xtra capacity articulated boom lift, the word to use is powerful, Gartside explains.

Traditionally, the safe lifting capacity of boom lifts was restricted to around 227 kg. However, the Genie Z45/25 XC has been re-engineered from the ground up, allowing it to now offer lifting capacities of between 300 kg unrestricted and 454 kg restricted.

“The loads are automatically controlled by the onboard computer through high-quality load sensing technology to ensure absolute safety.”

In addition, the machine offers extra sensors, which disable the machine functions if the load is above the permissible platform capacity, adding an additional safety feature.

“Genie continually improves existing models, however, this time, it has redesigned the XC range from the ground up. This commitment shows in the capabilities and new features of the entire XC line-up, right up to the biggest booms,” says Gartside.

He adds that the Genie Z45/25 XC allows for a three-person capacity plus tools and materials in an enlarged platform area. It offers a working height of 15.86 m and a 7.55 m horizontal reach.

“The Genie Z45/25 XC also offers ‘zero load’ field calibration, which means that there is no need for weights when performing annual load testing as legislated by law. This makes calibration on tough construction and building sites that much easier,” Gartside notes.

Both the Genie Z60/37 FE and the Genie Z45/25 XC incorporate Genie’s new Lift Guard Contact Alarm system, which is now a standard safety feature on all Genie boom lifts.

The activation cable fitted above the boom lift’s control panel is a completely new approach to alarm sensor bars, Gartside notes.

The cable is active whenever the footswitch on the boom is enabled, a free-movement zone exists between the activation cable and control box which allows operator mobility after system activation.

When pressure is applied to the cable, it disconnects, stops any active lift and drive functions and alerts others that the operator may need help. Gartside concludes that it is a truly forward-thinking approach to safety.