Access equipment ownership a better option to renting

Maintek Roofing's first experience of access equipment ownership wasn't a positive one until the company purchased its first piece of JLG equipment.

The Sydney-based company, which recently expanded into Queensland, is active in the commercial and industrial roofing field.

Previously a regular hirer of scissor lifts, telescopic and articulated boom lifts, Maintek investigated buying the equipment when its workload increased and occupational health and safety requirements grew more demanding.

After experiencing repeated problems with another brand, Maintek purchased a JLG 660 telescopic boom lift, then added a 460SJ lift.

More recently, Maintek purchased a pair of articulating boom lifts for work on a multi-stage building project at Holsworthy Army Base in Sydney.

Site administrator Chris Mol says the JLG access equipment has proved to be reliable and easy to operate, with the articulating boom lift one of the best performing pieces of access equipment the company has used on a building site: "Because of the shape of the body the 510AJ [articulating boom lift] is very compact and you don't have to worry about hitting buildings. It also fits into confined spaces, which is very important. Recently, there have been as many as 16 pieces of access equipment on this site, so compact dimensions are important."

JLG compact dimensions, versatility and four-wheel-drive ability have also proved to be useful features for less obvious reasons for the 510AJ equipment in the hands of Maintek.

Many major builders have now banned the use of ladders on sites they control. On other sites, sub-contractors have had to apply for a permit before a ladder can be used.

"It's just much easier to use a boom lift," Mol adds. "You avoid the paperwork and provide a safer and more convenient work platform. Even if you're only two metres above ground level, it's a better way to operate."

JLG Industries
www.jlg.com.au