Tree maintenance – climate change triggers rise of spider lift
Spider lifts available for hire from Hird have been identified by tree experts as the ideal access platforms to work on trees weakened by the summer drought and threatened by predicted winter storms.
The tracked Oil&Steel Octoplus 17 and Oil&Steel Octoplus 21 in Hird’s spider boom hire fleet are being praised for their excellent performance for tree management.
Tree surgeons are reporting they have been working on increasingly weakened trees over the summer months, which have succumbed to heat shock during record drought conditions.
The failing of these trees, causing brittle branches, has meant tree surgeons are turning to working from spider lifts rather than using rope access, which is too dangerous.
Ideal for woodland and garden work
The Octoplus 17 has a maximum working height of 17m and maximum outreach of 7.6m. While the Octoplus 21 has a maximum working height of 20.7m and a maximum outreach of 10.6m.
Both have a capacity of 250kg, which allows two people to work together in the basket, if necessary.
Both also have a track width of just 785mm, which allows the platforms to be moved over rough terrain and through the most constrained spaces, for example in close woodland and through side-gates to reach rear gardens.
As the UK distributor for Tadano Oil&Steel spider lifts and van-mounted platforms (which are also available for hire) Hird has experienced strong sales of Octoplus platforms to tree specialists in recent months.
One is Broadleaf Arborists in Shropshire. Company director Tom Smallman says spider lifts will become increasingly vital to safely work on trees weakened by drought and then hit by winter wet weather as climate change develops.
Octoplus – ‘safest and most productive spider lift’
He is clear the Octoplus 21 spider boom his business has bought is the best machine in its class for the task.
Tom said: “Over the summer we’ve seen a lot of trees failing because they can’t get enough water out of the ground. This leaves them weak and distressed with brittle branches that make conventional rope access too great a risk.
“Having our Octoplus 21 spider lift provides us with the safest and most effective way to support our customers and provide the best care for distressed trees that face new challenges as the winter draws in.
“We’re expecting our clients, including councils, government agencies and large companies and landowners, to require more tree work from platforms to ensure safety on their sites, given the impact of the drought.
“Trees in shock needs to be managed differently. Distressed trees need to be cut more carefully from the top down to ensure they’re not harmed further. This is why the Octoplus 21 spider lift is perfect for us.”
Why spider lifts will be popular this winter
The trend for tree surgeons to switch from rope access to working from access platforms, primarily spider lifts and van-mounted platforms, has already been accelerated by the spread of ash dieback.
Now climate change is also becoming a key factor.
Trees left weakened and unstable by drought over summer, causing soils to shrink and become compacted, are expected to be further threatened by winter storms, made worse by the impact of the El Nino weather event.
These climate shocks are also increasing the risk of trees being affected by disease and insect blight, with tree surgeons already reporting more signs of this happening.
Hird’s Oil&Steel Octoplus 17 and Octoplus 21 spider lifts are designed from the bottom up for us by arborists.
Oil&Steel spiders – features tree specialists like
Useful features appreciated by tree specialists include having all cabling, tubing and the drive chain inside the spider lift’s main boom section, where it can’t be snagged or struck by tree branches.
The Octoplus’s robust all-steel construction across all models also contributes to proven reliability, while its industry-leading ground clearance with outriggers deployed supports working across uneven surfaces.
As tracked spider lifts, with wireless remote control, they can be moved across soft ground in woodland or across low load-bearing surfaces, like pedestrian areas and patios, to work on trees in hard-to-reach locations.
For working at greater height, Hird also offers for hire the Hinowa 26.14 IIIS spider boom, which has a maximum working height of 25.7m, a maximum outreach of 13.75m and a basket capacity of 230kg, plus wireless remote control.
Van mount hire for efficient tree maintenance
Where arborists need to maintain trees at multiple locations, for example in a park or streets and squares in urban areas, Hird has two types of Oil&Steel van-mount platforms available for hire.
The Scorpion 2013 van-mounted stick boom has a maximum working height of 19.9m, a maximum outreach of 12.3m and a basket capacity of 250kg.
The Snake 2010H Plus van-mounted articulating boom has a maximum working height of 20m, a maximum outreach of 10.2m and also has a basket capacity of 250kg.
Both can be driven by an operator using a standard UK driving licence. With fast set up and stow functions and an impressive array of safety features, they are simple to operate and are highly productive.
Find out more
Are you an arborist facing the challenge of maintaining and working on trees hit by summer drought and facing the threat of winter storms?
Talk to Hird about hiring or buying Oil&Steel Octoplus spider lifts or van-mounted platforms. All are available for hire across the country from our three regional depots, with IPAF spider lift and van-mount training available if it is needed.
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