The Oil & Steel Octoplus range of tracked spider boom lifts is becoming a first-choice tool for arborists and tree care specialists across the UK, thanks to a blend of reach, stability and compact access. A recent sycamore pollard carried out by Broadleaf Midlands Tree Care is a great example, using an Octoplus spider boom to position the team safely in the crown while working over lawns and landscaped areas.
Why arborists are choosing Octoplus?
For tree surgeons, getting close to the workforce without excessive repositioning is critical.
The Octoplus 21 offers a maximum working height of 20.7m and outreach of 10.6m, with a slim 785mm tracking width that allows access through narrow gateways and between obstacles. Low ground pressure tracks and a compact outrigger footprint make it suitable for soft ground, mature gardens and sensitive sites where damage must be kept to a minimum.
Once in position, proportional controls and a pantograph boom geometry allow smooth movement along the canopy, helping climbers and platform operators work methodically around the tree.
With a 250kg platform capacity, there is ample room for two people and equipment, supporting safe, efficient pruning, reductions and dismantles.
Octoplus range – key specifications
| Model | Max working height | Max outreach | Platform capacity | Track width | Typical application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Octoplus 17 | 17.0m | 7.6m | 250kg | 785mm | Smaller trees, tight urban sites |
| Octoplus 21 | 20.7m | 10.6m | 250kg | 785mm | Medium–large trees, mixed sites |
| Octoplus 30 | 29.6m | 16.3m | 280kg | 895mm | Large–large trees, mixed sites |
With petrol, diesel, bi-energy and lithium options available, arborists can also choose a power set-up that suits their workload and environmental requirements.
Broadleaf Midlands Tree Care is an award-winning, family-run tree surgery and fencing company based in Shepshed, Loughborough, serving clients across Leicestershire and the wider Midlands.
Led by founder Brandon King, the team provides a full range of services including pruning, pollarding, sectional dismantling, hedge maintenance and stump removal for both domestic and commercial customers.
Sustainability is a strong focus; through their “Planet Promise”, a new tree is planted for every one removed, and arboricultural waste is recycled wherever possible.
With consistently high customer reviews and a reputation for tidy, professional work, Broadleaf Midlands Tree Care has become a trusted partner for property owners looking to manage their trees responsibly and safely
Broadleaf Midlands Tree Care’s recent work sits alongside other case studies where landscape and tree specialists have selected Octoplus for its combination of reach, compactness and site-friendly operation.
Readers interested in more examples can see how the Octoplus 21 performs in woodland settings and landscape maintenance in these pieces:
