Hinowa and Kubota on the façade of Bucharest’s Promenada Mall

Unveiled at Bauma, the Lightlift 40.18 platform, the largest model in the Performance IIIS series, comes with three powertrain options: the three-cylinder Kubota D902 engine with a 16.1 kW electric motor (380 V / 50 Hz); a 19.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack; and Bi-Energy, our best-seller, a system that allows the operator to select either ICE or BEV mode.

Working 40 metres up

“We needed a working height of around 40 metres but, at the same time, we had to contend with a serious limit on the weight of the machine,” explains Marius Tabacu, Executive Manager at TTA Utilaje Industriale, a Romanian company specializing in the sale, rental and technical servicing of access platforms.

“The challenge was not simply to reach that height, but to do so starting from a raised level of the building. A conventional self-propelled boom lift with a similar working height would have been significantly heavier, making it impossible to use in the same position. The LL40.18 allowed us to meet both requirements.”

The boom configuration and the precision of the controls made it possible to position the platform stably and accurately during work on the façade. This is particularly important in this type of job, which calls for precise control of movements even at a distance from the point where the machine is set up, within its operating radius.

“We are very pleased with the LL40.18,” stresses Marius Tabacu. “As well as being able to work where conventional machines become too heavy, too bulky or difficult to position, this platform offers precise control while remaining easy to handle even at the highest working heights. Operators were particularly pleased with its stability, the smoothness of the controls and the precision of its movements. For us, this is exactly the kind of equipment that creates value within a rental fleet.”

A Hinowa fleet built

The LL40.18 is part of the rental fleet to which TTA Utilaje Industriale has been adding Hinowa platforms for several years, building up its experience with the brand over time.

Alongside the largest model, the company has the LL20.10, LL26.14 and LL33.17, with working heights of 20.15 m, 25.70 m and 32.60 m respectively. This range allows TTA to tackle a variety of jobs, above all where accessibility, machine weight and ground conditions are decisive factors in the choice.

The LL40.18 is the largest model ever built by Hinowa in the Performance IIIS series. It can reach a working height of 40.2 m with the stabilisers fully extended, reduced to 35 m with the stabilisers in the reduced configuration, with a capacity of 230 kg. Maximum outreach is 17.5 m in the full configuration and 10.8 m in the reduced footprint.

The LL40.18 uses kinematics similar to those of the LightLift 33.17, with a four-section lower boom, a three-section upper boom and a jib. It is also the first platform in the Performance IIIS range designed to carry three people in the basket, thanks to its maximum capacity of 300 kg, which allows 60 kg of tools and accessories to be carried as well.

“Looking ahead, we expect growing demand for machines capable of reaching great working heights while keeping compact dimensions, low weight and low ground pressure,” concludes Marius Tabacu. “Shopping centres, industrial sites, the energy sector, infrastructure and projects with difficult access conditions are all good examples. I believe this type of tracked platform will become increasingly important in future.”