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Press Release featuring the Morooka MST300 Access.
July 2012
Our customer wanted an access platform that would lift a man to 14 metres and be able to track up steep 25 degree grassy and muddy slopes. The brief included operating in all harsh weather environments and it must be able to carry the operator and travel much faster than a walking pace. It must have the option to tow a trailer with equipment and tools.
Cautrac is probably the largest supplier of new and used tracked carriers in Europe and sells throughout the world. Niftylift is one of the largest manufacturers of hydraulic work platforms in Europe and sells throughout Europe, the USA, the Far East, Australia and South Africa. The combination of these two companies offering their expertise has resulted in not only meeting all the customers’ criteria, but in most cases exceeding their original high specification requirements.
The base unit is a Morooka MST300VD, which is the smallest carrier in the Morooka range. Similar to its larger stable mates it offers superb manoeuvring because of the contra-rotating tracks. The rubber tracks have a floating undercarriage; this characteristic presents the maximum track area onto the ground and spreads the contact adhesion evenly. This avoids pressure points being imposed on the ground, which may cause compaction normally associated with fixed roller undercarriages. The ground pressure that the machine transmits is well under half of a human footprint at only 0.32kg/cm2. The impressive climbing ability is suggested to be up to 30 degrees. The machine is able to safely climb at higher angles on rock but the manufactures have to provide a limit figure and the 30-degree angle is usually where the soil structure is not able to support the higher climbing angles. The total weight is less than 3.8 tonnes and this ensures that it is possible to deliver it to site on a 7.5 GVW lorry.
The 15-metre platform is mounted directly to the Morooka chassis at the Niftylift factory in Milton Keynes, England. Powered by a Kubota V2203 diesel engine that exceeds current emission standards. Cautrac enhances the standard Morooka hydraulic system to give a fast and dedicated hydraulic supply for all the platform functions. The two-speed track motors are considerably under utilised in the platform application and have a lot more power to give, if required. The top speed is 11kph.
To offer the largest outreach and maximise the working envelope, the designers have given it a massive 7.55 metres. This benefit is especially useful at low levels where outreach is needed the most. Compact dimensions make setting and sighting the platform very quick and easy on tricky angles. The seat can be rotated to allow the driving position to be facing the rear or the front and this helps to maintain good operator visibility when manoeuvring. The 1.4m wide platform cage provides the operators plenty of room to work and will lift 225 Kg. You can operate the platform from the ground or in the basket. Fully proportional controls gives the operator no surprises and are very predictable and safe. Cage overload sensing is standard and the outriggers have both visual and audible alarms. The outrigger legs are simple to deploy and importantly do not compromise the approach and departure angles.
We have exceeded the client’s original brief and we believe that this combination now opens up other applications and in some cases has created revised working practices gaining access to the parts that other platforms can’t reach. The Morooka MST300 Access can operate in approximately 600 mm of water without any modifications and this feature has created the opportunity for under bridge inspection. Cautrac have sold seven units to rental companies and all are working successfully in the utility maintenance sector. Another feature is the Morooka could be used to tow a trailer with maybe a spider crane in it on-site to assist in high-level installations.
The purpose of having a stand at Vertikal Days 2012 is to heighten customer awareness and to determine how this unique machine will satisfy user requirements. We have been pleasantly surprised when hearing the positive comments about the Morooka MST300 Access during other exhibitions and I predict the same amount of enthusiasm will be apparent at this year’s exhibition.
For more information.
Please contact Mark Dutton at Cautrac. Telephone: (0044) 01206 273111
Email: sales@cautrac.com. www.cautrac.com
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