JMS spider lift supports hands-on church survey
A spider platform supplied by JMS has allowed an architect to carry out a detailed survey of the bell chamber in the tower of a Grade II listed church.
The Hinowa Lightlift 17.75 Performance IIIS platform was compact enough to be tracked through the churchyard and set up at the ideal position at St Mark’s Church in Colney Heath, Hertfordshire.
The survey was needed to inspect signs of decay in the timber louvres to the bell chamber and to survey surrounding stonework and brickwork.
Drones not always the answer
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, are increasingly used to survey buildings. However, architect Mark Eddison, who surveyed St Mark’s Church, said getting up close in person was still essential.
“In many cases, there is no substitute, for using an aerial platform, as we did on this occasion, to get close to a building at height and see things with our own eyes instead of relying on images captured by drone cameras.
“A drone survey doesn’t allow you to touch a building and, if necessary, remove tiles or other materials to look behind them.
“By using an aerial platform we can assess the depths of cracks, get a better understanding of the stability of structural elements and take stone, metal or wood samples for physical or chemical analysis.”
JMS supplied the Hinowa LL 17.75 spider boom lift and an operator, who controlled the platform remotely from the ground under instruction from Mark Eddison, of chartered architects MEB Design.
Skilled spider platform operator
“The service provided by JMS was very good,” said Mark Eddison. “The operator was skilled and helpful. The Hinowa platform was very stable, with a spacious basket, and could be positioned safely very close to the church, which is precisely what we needed.”
JMS Director Justin Lynn said: “We’re very pleased Mark and his team were impressed with the Hinowa LL 17.75. It was designed precisely to work on complex buildings, both internally and externally.
“We have one of the largest and widest ranges of spider platforms in the UK because our customers find them so helpful for the most challenging working at height projects.
“Their combination of compactness, lightness and excellent working envelope mean they can operate in environments out of bounds to conventional boom lifts. Our modern machines are also easy to operate.”
The Hinowa LL 17.75 spider boom lift has a maximum working height of 17.06m, a maximum outreach of 7.5m and an unrestricted basket capacity of 230kg.
Sustainable power options
In tracking mode and with the basket quickly removed, the platform is just 690mm wide which allows it to be moved through single standard doorways, or narrow gates into churchyards.
JMS can offer the Hinowa LL 17.75 spider platform in two power options, both suitable for working at height indoors and outdoors.
The bi-energy version can be powered by a diesel engine or 140v AC mains electricity. A lithium battery electric version delivers long-lasting zero-emission and low-noise operation.
Spider boom lifts are ideal for working at height in any environment where access is constrained or when operating across low load-bearing floors or ground.
Other key uses for JMS spider lifts include high-level cleaning, lighting installation and maintenance, tree surgery and construction.
The JMS spider platform hire fleet ranges from the Hinowa Goldlift 14.70, with a maximum working height of 14m, to the Teupen Leo 50GT with a maximum working height of 50m. JMS can also supply JLG and OMMELIFT spider platforms.
For more information about spider platform hire from JMS, and IPAF operator training for spider boom lifts, call today: 0845 457 0000.
