TGM Wind Services of Abilene, Texas. recently took delivery of two new Bronto Skylift Model S-90 HLA high level articulated truck-mounted aerials, the tallest aerial devices currently working in North America. Purchased primarily to inspect and maintain wind turbines and other tall structures, the 90m (295 foot) working height Bronto machines are able to drive directly to a turbine and, in a matter of minutes, be fully operational. These unique capabilities result in faster, safer, and more accurate inspection and maintenance of turbine exteriors and blades at a lower cost than other methods currently in use.
The huge Bronto S-90 HLA machines have been used in Europe for many years and have been time-tested in the toughest conditions. When elevated, they can withstand winds speeds up to 12m/s (25 mph) and they can lift up to 454kg (1000 lbs) of men and materials in an 8-foot x 3-foot, fully enclosed platform to a 90m (295 foot) maximum working height. Maximum horizontal outreach is 33m (108 feet). Mounted on a 6-axle Kimball chassis, the Bronto S-90 HLA machines can navigate most terrain and easily reach remote tower locations.
With advanced outrigger controls and one-button automatic leveling of the outriggers, from the time the Bronto aerials are driven onto the site they can be positioned, set-up and elevated to the overhead area in 15 to 20 minutes or less. Compared to some other methods, on a multi-tower site, this can save considerable time and money in transportation and set-up costs alone.
According to Steve Starling, North American Sales Manager for Bronto Skylift, “The delivery of these first two high reach aerials marks the beginning of a safer and better way to access turbine blades and the exteriors of wind turbines and other tall structures in North America. With the many advantages of using aerial work platforms over other methods of accessing extremely tall overhead work areas, we anticipate other Bronto machines including a 104m (341 foot) working height Model S-104 HLA and additional S-90 HLA machines will be delivered in North America in the near future.”
