INNOVATIVE access equipment can provide on-site productivity benefits for construction contractors, as ADL Constructions has found in north Queensland.

The Sunshine Coast based company is currently involved in the construction of a $15 million 96-room resort on Fitzroy Island, about 3 km from the mainland and about 25 km from the Port of Cairns. New Holland construction equipment, including a telehandler, a skidsteer and a backhoe were transported to the island on a barge from Cairns, which can be a challenging journey, especially in adverse weather conditions.

ADL specialises

in the construction of apartment build

ings as well as other projects such as

school halls and churches. Most pro

jects are on the Sunshine Coast, but

the company’s reach also extends as

far afield as Cairns, Port Douglas and

Adelaide.

ADL director, Andrew Lawry, says use of the New Holland LM 1745 telehandler has saved a huge amount of time on the three-storey Fitzroy Island project. “Wet weather and high winds have resulted in poor site conditions including a lot of mud, which in turn has tended to slow progress. Use of the telehandler has enabled us to catch up considerable lost time,” says Lawry.

“In particular, the long reach of the telehandler has enabled quick supply of building materials to the upper levels of the project. I am delighted with the performance of this telehandler and its ability to improve efficiency on the site. No doubt it will also prove useful in many future projects.”

New Holland offers a range of six telehandlers. According to Mark Sues, manager of Cairns New Holland dealer, Williams Estate, the LM 1745 model is becoming increasingly popular on building sites in the area. “With three steering modes (all four wheels, front wheels only, and crab) this machine is very manoeuvrable as well as having a reach of 17m and a lifting capacity of 4.5t,” he says.

“It is also a very versatile machine. Building materials such as concrete blocks and Gyprock sheeting can easily be lifted to various levels of a structure, a bucket attachment can be used to lift materials such as sand and mortar, and a lifting jib is available to raise roof trusses. In addition, the telehandler can be converted to a two-man work platform.

New Holland telehandlers feature nine functions for complete control of operations including proportional control of arm extension to provide maximum precision in load positioning, as well as a load-sensing flow-sharing hydraulic system. There is a strong focus on operator safety and productivity. This includes stabilisers that come in a narrow form if a small width is necessary, or a wide form for applications requiring total operational stability.

Mast climber solution

During recent construction by Bovis Lend Lease (BLL) of new headquarters for the Melbourne Recital Centre, six Hek mast climbing work platforms were used to undertake the challenging task of installing a stone facade on the whole western face of the building.

The project, which lasted some 16 weeks at a total contract value of $127,000, involved pre-loading the mast climbers and installing the bluestone purely from these.

“The cost of the project, utilising

the mast climbers, was $127,000 com

pared with an estimated $150,000 if

scaffolding had been used. Time

saved on installation was around 50

per cent, and the cost saving to the

customer from this approach to the

project was $23,000.”

BLL project manager, Craig Peterson, says the work platforms were easy to use and that height adjustment was perfect for the application, which usually would have meant man-handling the 60 kg stone tiles onto a scaffold. “The higher possibility of accidents from carrying tools up and down ladders was eliminated and the project productivity was significantly improved,” explains Peterson.

Alimak Hek offers a wide range of vertical access solutions including construction hoists for passengers and materials, mast climbing work platforms, material hoists, and transport platforms for transporting bulky and heavy goods. The company’s Victorian rental sales manager, Reece Brehaut, says continuing product innovation is providing equipment with a strong focus on efficiency and safety.

Source: Construction Contractor