An arborist whose business has just invested in an Tadano il&Steel Octoplus 21 spider lift has advised that the summer drought means more tree work will have to be carried out from access platforms.
Tom Smallman, of Broadleaf Arborists, says spider lifts will become increasingly vital to safely work on trees weakened by drought and then hit by winter wet weather – and the Octoplus 21 is best machine for the task.
‘Safest and most productive’ tree access
He explained: “Over the summer we’ve seen a lot of trees failing because they can’t get enough water out of the ground. This leaves them weak and distressed with brittle branches that make conventional rope access too great a risk.
“Having our Octoplus 21 spider lift provides us with the safest and most effective way to support our customers and provide the best care for distressed trees that face new challenges as the winter draws in.
“We’re expecting our clients, including councils, government agencies and large companies and landowners, to require more tree work from platforms to ensure safety on their sites, given the impact of the drought.
“Trees in shock needs to be managed differently. Distressed trees need to be cut more carefully from the top down to ensure they’re not harmed further. This is why the Octoplus 21 spider lift will be perfect for us.”
Hird Sales, the UK distributor for all Tadano Oil&Steel products, supplied Tom and his team at Broadleaf Arborists, based in Shropshire, with their Octoplus 21.
Spider lift robust construction ideal for tree work
Area Sales Manager Dan Holgate said the company had been impressed with the important advantages the Octoplus 21’s design features and exceptional performance provide for tree surgeons.
He added: “The spider lift is designed from the bottom up for arborists, and for a range of other maintenance tasks. Key features, like having all cabling and the drive chain inside the spider lift’s main boom section, where it can’t be snagged or struck by tree branches, are appreciated by tree specialists.
“The machine’s robust all-steel construction across all models also contributes to proven reliability. We’re delighted Broadleaf Arborists looked at all options and selected the Octoplus 21 to meet its needs.”
The Oil&Steel Octoplus 21 spider cherry picker has an industry-leading working envelope, with a maximum working height of 20.7m, a maximum outreach of 10.6m, a stowed width of just 785mm, and a basket capacity of 250kg.
Excellent towing characteristics a big plus
As a tracked spider lift, with wireless remote control, it can be tracked across rough and unstable ground, or across low load-bearing surfaces, like pedestrian areas and patios, to work on trees in remote areas – or in rear gardens.
When set up for working at height, the spider lift also delivers greater ground clearance than rival models. It is a feature Tom Smallman appreciates for working across uneven ground and for delivering extra working height.
He added: “What we really like about the Octoplus 21 is how easy it is to tow. Perhaps it’s the spider lift’s very compact dimensions, it’s shorter than other machines, but it’s very well balanced on the trailer.
“It makes getting to and from sites easier and less tiring, both in terms of longer journeys and navigating narrow lanes and difficult spaces. Dan also recommended an excellent trailer, which is reliable and ideal for the job.”
This ease with which the spider lift can be towed and tracked across difficult ground when unloaded is a big advantage for Broadleaf Arborists, which is contracted to work on trees close to power lines in remote locations in Welsh Border areas.
Competitive deal and ‘brilliant’ after-sales support
The ease of doing business with Hird Sales was also a great help. Dan was extremely knowledgeable and helpful, said Tom Smallman, and the deal he put together was competitive.
“Hird Sales was clearly interested in giving us a deal that was good for us, not for them, which was refreshing,” he added. “Also, Dan Holgate’s after-sales support has been brilliant. The service is impressive.”
The Broadleaf Arborists team is looking forward to going into winter confident in knowing it has a spider cherry picker that is best in class for the winter challenges ahead.
That includes a forecast particularly wet and stormy start to winter after one of the most severe droughts in living memory.
Trees left weakened and unstable by drought, with ground shrunk by lack of water, are expected to be further threatened by winter storms made worse by the impact of the El Nino weather event.
These climate shocks also increase the likelihood that trees will fall victim the disease.
Summer droughts putting ancient oaks at risk
The Woodland Trust warns, for example, that the continuous effects of climate change, with hotter summers and wetter winters, could contribute to the loss of half the UK’s ancient oaks over the next 60 years.
Broadleaf Arborists believe they have the equipment needed to do their bit to help prevent this from happening.
The Oil&Steel Octoplus 21 is one of three spider lifts Hird Sales can supply, with a range of power options:
- Low-emission petrol or diesel engines.
- Bi-energy petrol or diesel engines with an electric motor for mains electric power.
- An all-electric power spider lift with a lithium battery pack.
The Oil&Steel Octoplus 17 has a maximum working height of 17m, a maximum outreach of 7.6m, a stowed width of 785mm and a basket capacity of 250kg.
The Oil&Steel Octoplus 30 has a maximum working height of 29.6m, a maximum outreach of 16.3m, a stowed width of 900mm and a maximum basket capacity of 280kg.
Find out more
Are you an arborist facing the challenge of maintaining and working on trees hit by summer drought and facing the threat of winter storms?
Talk to Hird Sales about how Oil&Steel Octoplus spider lifts can help. We will arrange a free demonstration, at your convenience, to show you its capabilities.
Telephone: 01482 481 960. Email: info@oil&steel.co.uk.