MDTA Buys Fully Custom Elliott BoomTruck

We’ve just completed one of our favorite custom BoomTrucks, built for the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA). This 1056F BoomTruck is a 10-ton rated crane with an extended 56’ boom. It also carries SuperLink outriggers, dual control stations, and a gravity-leveling and rotating work basket.

Just about everything on this unit is fully customized, from the apitong wood bed, to the unique outrigger combination (A-frame and straight down rear outriggers). Modern Equipment, one of Elliott Equipment Company’s top dealers, worked hard to negotiate a bid specification that takes advantage of our custom engineering shop.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

As you can see in the pictures, we’ve taken tremendous steps to integrate all of our features in a way that is aesthetically pleasing, and efficient. The crane is easy to drive and maneuver around the worksite, with a powerful International 7400 chassis. Here are the specifications for all you gear heads out there.

• Front Stabilizer
• 275 ft. of spin resistant wire rope
• 2 person gravity-leveled rotating steel basket, 40″ x 60″
• 4-function radio remote controls
• 360 degree continuous boom rotation module
• 24″ bulkhead at turret
• Fold down access ladders
• Custom Paint
• LED lighting system
• 16′ apitong wood bed
• 2 underbody aluminum toolboxes with interior lighting
• Rustproofing of subframe
• Adjustable work lights mounted on boom
• Crane mounted on an International 7400 4×2 chassis with a GVWR of 35,000 lbs.

Elliott’s Obstacle Avoidance System

There are few things worse than causing accidental damage to machinery or worksites, particularly since your business’s reputation in this economy is more important than ever.

Elliott Equipment Company is proud to announce the development of a new optional feature on our HiReach units called the ‘Obstacle Avoidance System’. This simple and inexpensive option protects aerial workplatform operators from accidental collisions on the worksite.

Essentially, the system is comprised of a suspended metal ring around the base of the work platform that can sense contact with foreign objects. Once alerted to an accidental contact, the system shuts off the platform controls and triggers an alarm. When the operator discovers the contact point, a simple activation of an override switch allows him to safely maneuver the platform away from the obstacle.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

While this system has been around for a few years, we are now offering it to all of our HiReach customers. Originally, the system was developed exclusively for aircraft maintenance applications. However, with so many other potential applications, we’d like to encourage our customers and dealers to keep this feature in mind during their next purchase.

Everyone here at Elliott Equipment Company firmly believes in building the best return on your investment. Our machines are already known for their effectiveness, durability, low maintenance, and sleek design. With the addition of an Obstacle Avoidance System, we’re aiming to make Elliott ownership a low liability purchase as well.

New Video Demonstration Released

Over the next few months, Elliott Equipment will continue expanding our collection of narrated video demonstrations.  Each video, roughly a minute and a half in length, will cover the general unit features and operation.

Currently,  we have three videos available for viewing on YouTube, Blip TV, or our Website Gallery.

• HiReach A41
• BoomTruck 26105
• HiReach G35F

Our Newest Video

Today, we release the HiReach G35F video.  It’s a truly special video of a highly customized machine built for the City of Denver Department of Transportation.  We worked long and hard to built a machine that fits the complex needs of a municipality.  Many of its features are new to Elliott, and we plan on marketing these amazing features to other municipalities around the United States.

Watch the video here and let us know what you think!

Elliott Brings NASCAR Racing to New Heights

Elliott Builds Broadcasting Platform for NASCAR Events

Throughout the years, Elliott Equipment Company has designed expert acclaimed cranes and aerial work platforms for businesses worldwide.  Our custom shop has produced many unique machines over the years to address unique worksite needs. Our favorite example involves one of America’s most popular sports, NASCAR Racing.

In 2007, Turner Sports, a division of TNT Broadcasting, contacted Elliott Equipment to develop plans for a 18 square foot truck-mounted aerial platform for use as a mobile broadcasting stage during NASCAR races.  The stage can retract into an easily-driven truck for movement around the country.  Over the course of just a few months, Elliott’s engineering team designed the mobile stage platform and gave it the model number ECT-14.

The Emmy Award Nominated ECT-14

The 2008 Emmy Award nominated ECT-14 (yes, the big Emmy) made NASCAR history as the first fully functioning retractable platform for broadcasting purposes.

The ECT-14 bid required very specific features to make it an operationally effective unit.  For ultimate portability, we designed a collapsible 18’ square work platform on a high strength steel boom with a single double acting lift cylinder. The platform rotates 360 degrees on a pivot point for maximum visibility. To prevent any accidental stage movement, Elliott mounted two sets of hydraulically-powered underslung outriggers with individual control stations for proper leveling. With a custom paintjob and chassis configuration, this unit really became a one-of-a-kind production.

The platform, capable of rotating 360 degrees and raising 7 feet off the truck bed, provides TV broadcasters unparalleled access to the race track. Lift and Access Magazine quoted Lenny Daniels, Senior VP of Turner Sports, as stating, “The new Turner Sports rig is a state-of-the-art set like no other, as it gives us a completely mobile stage with the unique ability to interact with fans, both at the racetrack and at home.” At Elliott, we took pride in contributing to such a groundbreaking production. These projects really hit at the heart of what makes Elliott Equipment a star in our industry.

New OSHA Standard for Cranes and Derricks

What Do the New OSHA Crane and Derrick Standards Mean For You and Your Business?

On July 28, 2010, U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a “historic new standard, addressing the use of cranes and derricks in construction and replacing a decades old standard.”

Read the OSHA FactSheet

The new standard comes as crane and derrick technologies continue to improve against a backdrop of crane related fatalities during the past several decades.  The new standard lists 234 pages of updates, viewable by clicking this link 2010 OSHA Crane and Derricks Standard.  In the document, OSHA takes steps toward addressing the four main hazards related to the use of cranes and derricks.

1) Electrocution

2) Crushed by parts and equipment

3) Struck by equipment and load

4) Falling from equipment

To address these hazards, the new standard requires, “A pre-erection inspection of tower crane parts; use of synthetic slings in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions during assembly/disassembly work; assessment of ground conditions; qualification or certification of crane operators; and procedures for working in the vicinity of power lines.”

This new standard is expected to prevent 22 fatalities and 175 non-fatal injuries each year!

Operators have 4 years to comply with the new standards.  Elliott Equipment will be leading the way by moving immediately to make any necessary changes to our manufacturing and training programs.

For questions or concerns, be sure to contact OSHA at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or http://www.OSHA.gov

Nebraska Public Power District’s E-Line E-120

About Electrical Contracting

The work of electrical contracting and management has become increasingly complicated due to advances in power loads, infrastructure, and distribution. Electrical companies and government agencies demand safe and effective equipment for working with these dangerous systems. To address industry concerns, Elliott’s expert teams of engineers and builders have created the E-Line series of insulated material handling aerials, combining the personnel lifting capability of the HiReach series, and the load management of the BoomTruck line.

Three years ago, Elliott Equipment signed a three-year deal with Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) to produce five fully custom E-120 units. The E-120, one of our most popular and advanced insulated E-line units, offers 120′ of working height, insulated material handling equipment, and an insulated aerial work platform. With 500kv of test-proven insulation, it provides an envelope of safety for NPPD’s workers when managing high voltage electrical equipment.

Click the images below for a full screen view.

So, why create a whole new series of material handling aerials for electrical work?

The E-120 is a product of intense engineering efforts to address safety and operation concerns throughout the electrical industry. America’s power infrastructure involves power lines and wind turbines reaching extreme heights to ensure safe and high quality power distribution over long distances from our power plants. NPPD operates throughout our very large state, oftentimes quite far from cities and towns. To remain effective in the field, NPPD required trucks with the capacity to address all worksite needs without requiring additional support or personnel.

Here’s a list of the NPPD E-120’s most important features.

• 120’ working height
• 105’ insulated boom retractable to 31’ for easy transport.
• 500kv insulation on jib, basket and boom. (Tested at top rated facility)
• Load Moment Indicator and dozens of custom sensors throughout the unit to carefully mange movement within safe preset zones of operation.
• Boom-mounted hydraulic and electric hose reels.
• Two sets of out and down outriggers with aluminum pads for additional stability.
• 360 degrees of continuous boom rotation.
• Rotating open seated controls with a deluxe operator seat and protection envelope.
• Fully custom aerial platform, stowed on chassis when jib is in use.
• Material handling jib with ability to mechanically raise and lower 1,500 lbs.
• Custom disable switch connected to the radio remote to allow lower operation of jib and basket.
• Garden hose style hanger for 50 ft of grounding wire.

Mike Love of the Beach Boys Sings Elliott Tribute

Mike Love of the Beach Boys with an Elliott 26105

How awesome is this picture? Last week, Elliott Equipment participated in the 2010 Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference (EUFMC) in Williamsburg, Virginia, bringing along Mike Love of the Beach Boys to sing an Elliott-themed rendition of “Surfin USA” called “Liftin USA”. Singing in front of an Elliott 26105F-D (digger) BoomTruck, Mike Love’s song and Elliott President Jim Glazer’s presentation were total hits among the fleet managers in attendance. More than one fleet manager claimed “It was the highlight of the drivethrough”.

Mike Love Rockin' Out

Liftin’ USA

If everyone had an Elliott
Across the U.S.A.
Then everybody’d be liftin’
More efficiently
You’d see ‘em liftin’ their loads
and their people too
Faster, Safer and Stronger
Liftin’ The Elliott Way.

Yeah, Everybody’s gone liftin’
Liftin U.S.A.

A Visit to the Salt Mine

Elliott Equipment went on an adventure last week to one of North American Salt Company’s mines to check on a custom 30105 BoomTruck unit operating 1,550 feet deep within their salt mine. We were delighted to see this Elliott unit operating at full capacity deep underground. The following report from our Elliott representative shares his fascinating experience.

——–

“After meeting up with Scott PowerLine Equipment, we drove out to the coast of Louisiana, and boarded a ferry boat that took us across a canal to an island where the mine is located. I was given approximately a 35-40 minute safety course before I received permission to enter the mine. I was told that vendors are typically not allowed descend into the mine un-escorted but since my Scott Powerline guide had the proper training, we wouldn’t have a problem. After suiting up with a re-breather and a hard hat a with light and battery pack, we entered the ‘skip’, or elevator, for people and equipment. This skip was also used to transport the crane 1,550 feet down into the bottom of the mine. Before lowering it into the mine, the crane had to be disassembled above ground. Teams removed everything down to just the truck frame, engine, transmission, with rear axles and only the inside set of wheels on the duals. The front axle, radiator, cab, bed wings, boom, turret, torque frame, hydraulic tank, tires, and out-riggers had to be all sent down separately on the ‘skip’ for reassembly down in the mine. Dillard said it took him and his partner about five-eleven hour days above ground to do the disassembly, and seven-eleven hour days to reassemble the unit at the bottom of the mine….”

Elliott Wins a Gold Award for Workplace Safety

Elliott puts an incredible amount of energy into producing the safest and highest quality products in the industry. When I first started working here, I was amazed at the amount of attention put into properly training employees to ‘think safety’ while on the job.

Since first participating in the Nebraska National Safety Council’s award program in 2006, Elliott Equipment has won awards each year for enforcing high safety standards. The Safety Council lists and reviews strict safety requirements for workplace facilities, employees, and manufacturing processes to avoid a wide variety of preventable accidents. Continue reading…

Pictures from the Past – 60 Years of History

Welcome to the new Elliott Equipment Blog!  We’re looking forward to sharing our unique products, company history, and industry knowledge with the world.

As we begin a new phase in online media, let’s take this opportunity to look back on the last 60 years of growth and innovation within our business.

Continue reading…