JLG Industries, Inc., an Oshkosh Corp. company and global manufacturer of aerial work platforms and telescopic material handlers, introduced several new products and services at Bauma 2016 in Munich, Germany. “JLG is developing products and services and innovations for the jobs of tomorrow, not just for today,” said Alan Loux, the company’s Vice President of Global Marketing.

JLG featured a theme of “The Future is within Reach” at its Bauma stand, which was fitting for the unveiling of the world’s tallest and farthest reaching articulating boom lift, the 1500AJP, with a working envelope of more than 74,000 m³ (2.6 million ft³) of reachable space.

Also introduced was the X15J Plus compact crawler boom; the announcement that JLG will begin equipping its boom lifts with the SkyGuard system as standard equipment; and the rebranding of the company’s newly acquired Power Towers low-level access models to reflect the JLG brand in all markets globally.

1500AJP articulating boom

Currently in limited production with full production expected in early 2017, the 1500AJP allows operators to reach more work space—60% more than the next closest articulated boom on the market—and take more materials with them than any other articulating boom lift., the company claims. That’s because the new boom lift features a category-leading work envelope, up-and-over height of 18.3 m (60.0 ft), a working outreach of 23.5 m (77.1 ft), and platform capacity of 270 kg (595 lb) unrestricted and 450 kg (990 lb) restricted. The 450-kg platform capacity is available throughout the majority of the working envelope.

The machine also features a standard 2.4-m (7.9-ft) jib that raises and lowers 135° to provide additional reach, up-and-over capability, and the ability to position the platform independent of the main boom. In addition, the jib pivots horizontally 125° to provide extra maneuverability at elevated work sites.

According to the company, the 1500AJP leads the industry in lift speeds, allowing operators to spend more time working and less time positioning the machine. The boom’s Quick Stick feature enables the lift to move from the ground to maximum platform height in 2 minutes 15 seconds and return to the ground at the same speed.

The LCD panel clearly communicates the position of the boom in the work envelope and the status of its operating systems. End-of-stroke cylinder damping helps ensure a smooth, comfortable transition from full function speed to full stop.

“We carefully considered all of our customers’ concerns and requirements as we designed the 1500AJP from the ground up,” said Corey Raymo, JLG Industries Global Category Director, Boom Lifts. “The result is another...industry-leading boom lift that again demonstrates JLG’s long history of innovation in machine design and manufacturing.”

The 1500AJP offers improved serviceability, thanks to a swing-out engine tray that provides easy access to key service components, and a hydraulic system that simplifies hose routings and reduces leak points. In addition, an LCD panel located at the ground control panel uses text and fault codes to improve troubleshooting and reduce the number and duration of service calls.

The 1500AJP can be transported on a standard flatbed trailer, reducing costs associated with transporting the machine, and reducing the total cost of ownership. There is also a 50/50 weight distribution on the axles that contributes to transportability, making the lift easier to load, as well as great terrainability on the jobsite.

Other time-saving features when positioning the lift include: 40% gradeability; 360° continuous turntable rotation; four-wheel drive; and hydraulically powered pivoting axles that expand quickly for fast setup time.

X15J Plus compact crawler boom

JLG also shared that it has expanded its line of compact crawler booms with the new X15J Plus that will be available globally in June 2016. This new lift offers a platform capacity of 230 kg (510 lb), a 60% increase over the X14J, and an increased platform height of 15.4 m (50.5 ft).

The new design supports ease of transport with the introduction of forklift pockets and lifting hooks to the X15J Plus. As with other compact crawler booms, the X15J Plus features a tracked wheel carriage that climbs steps, non-marking tracks for use on sensitive flooring and landscaping, and auto-leveling outriggers that provide added stability on sloped surfaces. The design of the carriage further increases productivity, permitting climbs of up to 40%.

In addition, the X15J Plus has a combination of electric and combustion engines, which enhances the versatility of the machine, equipping it for indoor and outdoor use.

“We made the X15J Plus more compact by reducing the width to 750 mm compared to the X14J, which measures 787 mm,” said Raymo. “In addition, we reduced the stowed height by 70 mm, making the latest edition to the Plus Series range even easier to move through doorways, gates, and yards.”

Standardizing SkyGuard system

On the safety front, JLG announced that it is taking a leadership position by making the SkyGuard enhanced control panel protection system standard across the JLG portfolio of boom lifts.

The company says it will begin equipping its boom lifts with the SkyGuard system as standard equipment on the portfolio of JLG boom lifts ordered in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand beginning in July 2016. The SkyGuard system will become standard equipment in the rest of the world in January 2017.

“Safety is a top priority for JLG, so this a big step forward for the industry,” said Raymo. “We recognized we already had a solution in the industry, and to make it standard just felt like the right next step for us. Timing wise, the industry was asking for it and we were starting to see adoption increase.”

When activated, the SkyGuard system stops all functions in use at the time, then temporarily reverses most functions that were in use when the system was activated. This reverse functionality is the only feature of its kind in the market, the company claims.

“If you think about applications in the area of safety, the future is a completely safe work environment jobsite for everything that we’re doing. So we are going to see that whole area of safety continuing to drive the future,” said Loux. “From a leadership standpoint we absolutely want to lead. We want to do it as fast and as effectively as we can in the marketplace. JLG is absorbing the cost associated with this. We believe it is so important to the industry that we actually take the leading position.”

JLG rebrands Power Towers products

JLG also shared that it is rebranding its newly acquired Power Towers low-level access models to reflect the JLG brand in all markets globally. The result of this effort includes new branding, model nomenclature, and color scheme, which was unveiled during Bauma 2016.

The company is launching the full line of low-level access lifts globally under the JLG brand name. JLG’s self-propelled and push-around low-level access models are easy to maneuver through job sites and offer a quiet operation that makes them suitable on construction sites and for industrial applications. All of the new low-level access lifts offer alternatives to ladders and scaffolding, giving workers the ability to use both hands on the job rather than needing to maintain three points of contact.

Formerly sold under the Power Towers branding and painted blue, the rebranded lifts will change to the familiar JLG orange and cream color scheme across the entire portfolio. Model nomenclature will also change to align with the JLG global product portfolio. Changes to the branding, nomenclature and color scheme will begin to be phased in starting this spring.

“Each of these products is a leader in the low-level access space and nicely complements the JLG vertical lift portfolio, which includes mast lifts, stock pickers, and LiftPod personal portable lifts,” Loux said.

A summary of nomenclature changes appears in the chart above (click arrow at top right of the image to view this and more).