Europe's largest powered access specialist, Nationwide, has introduced four new off-road, truck-mounted aerial work platforms into its already extensive Skylift range. The new four-wheel-drive units are specifically designed to tackle rough terrain that would otherwise be inaccessible to many powered access units. They are equipped with a fully rotational, articulating telescopic Skyking boom, which is mounted on a MAN 14-224 SAEK chassis.

The ATV [All Terrain Vehicle] units were introduced, following extensive trials, to meet the requirements of such demanding applications as pylon maintenance, tree surgery, telecommunications line-of-sight and maintenance operations and location work in the television and film industry.

The vehicles possess some special features that greatly enhance their off-road capabilities. These include weight spreading, low-ground-pressure tyres
and a semi-automatic Nat2.008b. inflate and deflate system that help secure greater traction control on soft ground. However, should the unit become stuck, an on-board self-recovery winch is fitted, allowing the unit to pull itself out of trouble.

Each of the four new Skylift units has an operational working height of 26 metres and a maximum outreach of 12.5 metres. Its total weight-bearing capacity is 200kg and, in place of the standard metal platform cage, a fibreglass version can be substituted, designed to boost safety when working close to electricity. Full operation of the boom is controllable from the work platform and the unit is supplied with a fully qualified operator.

Further information on the new ATV Skylift units, or any of Nationwide's 6,000 powered access machines - booms, scissor lifts and truck mounts - can be obtained from the 50 Nationwide depot that are located across the UK.

Nationwide is part of the publicly-quoted Lavendon Group Plc and is headquartered in Lutterworth, Leicestershire. Its hire fleet is twice the size of its nearest UK competitor and all of the company's depots comply with Nationwide's ISO 9002 accreditation. The Group is also a major player in the European powered access market, trading under the name Zooom in Germany, France, Spain and Austria.

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May 2002 Nat2.008b