News
Teupen Tracked Platform solves tricky
access problem at Eurotunnel's passenger terminal
A Teupen Leo15GT tracked access platform, on hire from Chesterfield
based Ranger Rental, has been able to solve a tricky high level
maintenance problem for Eurotunnel.
Within Eurotunnel's passenger terminal at Folkestone is a canvas
covered atrium area with high level louvre windows controlled
by actuators which are designed to automatically open or close
the louvres depending on temperature and wind direction.
Unfortunately, after some 13 years in situ, most of the actuators
had seized and required replacement so the problem faced by Eurotunnel's
mechanical and electrical department was how to reach the devices
mounted some 13 m above the atrium floor.
In the past, when high level work was required, a trailer-mounted
platform had been used but this not only proved difficult to
manoeuvre within the terminal building because of its weight
but it also damaged the delicate marble flooring.
Having discovered the tracked machines available from Ranger,
the Eurotunnel engineers could immediately see the many benefits
they offered for this application.
Besides being narrow enough to easily enter the terminal via
a standard doorway, the Leo15GT was able to quietly track into
position under its own electric power whilst causing no damage
to the expensive flooring, thanks to non-marking rubber tracks
and an ultra-low ground bearing pressure.
To minimise disruption to passengers, all work was carried out
between 2 pm and 6 am when the terminal is relatively quiet and
also coincided with a major refurbishment project currently being
undertaken to improve the whole facility.
According to Kevin Rivers, one of Eurotunnel's senior engineers: “The Teupen platform proved to be the perfect solution for this difficult job and all members of the team were soon fully confident in its use and the safety it provided.”
The Leo15GT platform offers a maximum working height of 14.9m and up to 6.40 m of outreach. Unlike most of its competitors, this impressive outreach is available with an overall stabiliser width of just 2.65 m with no reduction in the standard safe working load of 200 kg.
Powered by a choice of Honda 13 hp petrol engine or 2-cylinder Kubota diesel with the option of a 110 v or 230 v AC auxiliary electric motor for inside working, the highly flexible Leo 15GT is just 780 mm wide and 1.98 m high with the basket is removed.