Ultra-modern spider boom helps preserve Victorian glass wonder
JMS’s new lithium battery powered Hinowa tracked boom – the first of its kind in the UK – has proved to be perfect for inspecting and maintaining the world’s largest Victorian glasshouse.
The Hinowa Lightlift 33.17 Performance IIIS boom lift met all challenging working at height criteria set by structural glass installation specialist Vision AGI with flying colours.
JMS has become the first powered access rental provider in the UK to be supplied with the lithium-ion battery version of the Hinowa LL 33.17 spider boom.
Working at height challenges
Vision AGI hired the boom lift to carry out glazing inspections and replace window seals on the Grade 1 Listed structure, home to thousands of rare plants and a centrepiece of a World Heritage Site.
Scott Walker, JMS’s Marketing Sales Director, said: “We’re delighted that we were able to provide Vision AGI with an access platform that overcame every working at height challenge it faced.
“The list of performance parameters they had been set for working on the glasshouse would have defeated almost any other access platform. But they fitted our new Hinowa LL 33.17 boom lift like a glove.”
Professional access survey
JMS’s regional working at height survey team visited the site to advise Vision AGI on selecting the most appropriate access equipment, plus risk assessment and method statements.
The spider boom had to be tracked on protective matting across a lawn and up a grass slope to reach the glass house.
Its low point loading meant it could be safety operated right next to the structure with no fear that its weight could affect the structure’s foundations.
Pollution-free powered access
The access platform used had to be fume-free to protect the glasshouse’s rare and valuable plants from pollution.
As a lithium-battery electric powered spider boom, the Hinowa LL 33.17 also delivered long and stable duty cycles, making it more productive and reliable than standard battery platforms.
With a maximum working height of 32.6m and an outreach of 16.5m, combined with exceptional control, the platform’s basket could be positioned rapidly and safely at all points, just a few inches from the delicate glass panels.
Safe and sustainable access
An IPAF-accredited and highly experienced JMS operator controlled the spider boom while technicians from Vision AGI, one of the UK’s leading roof light and structural glass installers, worked on the glasshouse.
In a three-day programme of works, Vision AGI carried out extensive glazing inspections and installed new window seals at four locations – working at heights of up to 18m with an outreach of up to 14m.
Scott Walker said: “Platforms like the lithium-powered Hinowa LL 33.17 tracked spider boom give us far safer, more effective and sustainable ways to work at height.
“JMS is committed to investing in this technology. It’s truly exciting what we can achieve to help our customers maintain historical buildings like this glasshouse, so they’re preserved for generations to come.”
