News
Vegetation Management specialist chooses
Teupen tracked access platform
A Teupen Leo23GT tracked access platform has been chosen by Cleartrack
of Milton Keynes to provide its arboriculturists with a safe and
cost-effective means of reaching tree canopies on its many vegetation
management contracts throughout the UK.
Cleartrack specialises in a wide variety of landscape management
work on behalf of both Network Rail and the Channel Tunnel Link
and since 1999 has grown into a £5M turnover organisation
employing some 60 staff.
The company was already using a small 14 m reach tracked platform
and a much larger truck mounted machine but was looking for a
versatile, everyday workhorse capable of tackling most of its
high level jobs.
Following an in-depth study and trial of machines currently
available, Cleartrack's engineers decided to purchase the 23
m working height Leo23GT machine from UK importer, Ranger Equipment
of Chesterfield. The choice of the German manufactured Teupen
platform was made because Cleartrack felt it offered the best
combination of build quality, operational flexibility and safety.
In particular, it was the 11.2 m of outreach that impressed
Cleartrack - a vital factor when tackling trees and where straight
up and down operation is not possible because of branches. The
company also likes the fact the machine can be used safely from
the side of a road without causing a problem to passing traffic
as any boom overhang can be easily kept within the footprint
of the stabiliser legs.
All Teupen platforms feature self-centring, telescopic boom sections which eliminate side-to-side movement at cage level for smooth, comfortable operation. In addition, the Leo 23GT model also incorporates the company's patented corner mount cage system. This patented design allows the cage to be rotated through 180 degrees in a horizontal plane, making it easy for the operator to place the cage in the perfect work position within a tree canopy.
Powered by a water cooled, 2-cylinder Kubota diesel engine developing
8.9 kW (12.1 hp) @ 3600 rpm, the Leo23GT can climb hills of up
to 30% grade and, because the unit has height and width adjustable
tracks, the machine is able to safely negotiate cross slopes
by raising one side of the machine. This rough terrain performance
is further helped by an ability to extend the track width to
a maximum of 1.43 m.