The Athena 850 scissor lift from United Forklift and Access Solutions was honoured with the Safety Solution of the Year award at this year’s Manufacturers’ Monthly Endeavour Awards. The Endeavour Awards recognise the safest, most efficient and innovative technologies and solutions in the manufacturing industry. A winner of the international (IAPA) and Australian New Product of the Year awards (HRIA) for 2016, the Athena 850 is designed to safely traverse slopes and terrain where access equipment previously could not operate at all.

Mark Versaci, Marketing and CRM Manager at United Equipment said the company placed strong emphasis on safety and innovative solutions to add real value to industry and their customers.

Athena 850 Scissor Lift

The bi-levelling compact tracked scissor lift is the first scissor lift in the world with the unique capability to level on its axis in longitudinal and lateral directions, allowing it to operate on slopes and undulating terrain where conventional scissor lifts cannot operate.

Conventional scissor lifts are typically limited to slight inclines of 2-4 degrees, whereas the Athena 850 scissor lift handles with assurance and safety, terrain variations up to 50cm front and back and 38cm side-to-side on uneven terrain, or inclines up to 20 degrees, says United Forklift and Access Solutions’ General Manager, Sales, Marketing and Distribution, Mr Trent Osborne.

With a minimum operating width of 1300mm, basket capacity of 250kg and a maximum working height of 7.9m, the scissor lift is ideal for a broad range of applications including facilities maintenance, park and tree management, council operations, building and construction, industrial and commercial plant access, and primary production including vineyards, horticulture and agriculture.

According to Mr Osborne, tracked scissor lifts are already available in the market but only Athena has the advantage of bi-levelling technology. Built tough for indoor and outdoor work, Athena’s design and functional superiority removes limitations inherent in conventional mobile scissor lifts, greatly extending the machine’s safety, versatility and value in the workplace.

Key features of the Athena 850 tracked scissor lifts include 2-person (250kg) basket capacity, maximum working height 7.9m (5.9 m basket floor maximum height) and compliance with AS1418.10-2011; grade-ability of 25 degrees, side slope of 21 degrees, operating safely on inclines up to 20 degrees with two-axis automatic levelling constantly monitored to ensure safety; 1700/2190 kg weight eliminating concerns of machine being too big or heavy onsite; and automatic accelerator, bi-levelling undercarriage, electrohydraulic proportional commands, direction control, easy drive system and automatic control of inclination.

The Athena 850 offers a ground clearance of up to 350mm, simplifying work involving rough terrain, urban obstacles and loading and unloading without special trailers. The machine’s tracks operate independently, allowing operators to get in close when needed. The scissor lift can easily operate on steep driveways, disabled access ramps, footpaths and within small access corridors.

A compact Hatz 1B40 diesel engine with 220V 2KW auxiliary electric pump and 220V 1KW power generator makes it possible to operate the scissor lift indoors and in areas where the use of combustion engines is not allowed. Additionally, the Athena 850 comes with a kit for high speed (maximum 2.2kph), and an onboard power source in the basket for hand tools and lateral levelling for moving at heights ± 4 degrees.

The Athena 850 scissor lift complements United’s broader ranges of forklift and access equipment, including CAT forklifts, Elevah personal stock pickers and Konecranes lift trucks in capacities up to 65 tons.

One of Australia’s largest privately owned forklift and access equipment companies, United Forklift and Access Solutions offers an extensive range of forklift, scissor lift and boom lift equipment for sale and hire. With a footprint extending across key Australian markets, and service operations offering 24/7 support, United provides a truly national access solution that remains responsive to local conditions.

Image: The clean, green and highly versatile Athena 850