Skyjack machines help build multi-billion pound Crossrail project in London

Skyjack is helping build one of the largest construction projects in Europe, which is injecting billions of pounds into the UK economy. A fleet of 100 Skyjack mobile elevating work platforms are busy working on London’s ambitious Crossrail project. The multi-billion pound scheme will result in a major new 62-mile railway system across the UK’s capital and its surrounding regions.

“The London Crossrail project is a hugely important and extensive scheme for the south east of England and we’re really pleased to be involved,” said Mark Jackson, managing director of JMS Plant Hire.

“We’re supplying a significant number of different Skyjack machines to several main contractors because our customers want equipment that will do the jobs required, effectively, safely and reliably.”

The Crossrail project will link 40 stations along its route including 10 new stations. The £14.8 billion (US$18.1 billion) project will connect to the London Underground network and National Rail networks and will be known as the Elizabeth Line – in honour of the Queen. Service is scheduled to commence in 2018 and will be fully operational in 2019.

Construction includes 26 miles of tunnels under central London. It is intended that the route will bring an extra 1.5 million people to within a 45-minute commute of London’s main business districts and will carry around 200 million passengers a year. The new state-of-the-art rail network will offer faster transport times, more comfortable travelling experience and is expected to inject nearly £42 billion (US$51.3 billion) into the UK economy.

“Skyjack’s products offer a range of different elements for a whole variety of uses and circumstances in construction, which is why we recommend them to our customers,” Jackson said. “For such a large-scale and complicated scheme like Crossrail, each element of the project has to be delivered successfully for the whole infrastructure to be created smoothly.”

Specialized equipment
The 100 Skyjack machines working on the Crossrail project include electric scissor lifts SJIII 3219, SJIII 3226 and SJIII 4632; rough terrain scissor lifts SJ6826 RT and SJ6832 RT; and articulating booms SJ46 AJ and SJ63 AJ. Many of the machines have been on site since March working on all aspects of the Crossrail project, from constructing the main tunnels and stations, to testing and cleaning of equipment.

SJIII 3219 DC electric scissor:
• Maximum work height, 25.5 ft (7.8 m)
• Maximum capacity, 500 lbs (227 kg)
• Zero inside turning radius

SJIII 3226 DC electric scissor:
• Work height, 32.5 ft (9.9 m)
• Max capacity, 500 lbs (227 kg)
• Overall length, 9.5 ft (2.3 m)

SJIII 4632 DC electric scissor:
• Work height, 38.55 ft (11.75 m)
• Max capacity, 700 lbs (318 kg)
• Roll-out extension deck, 4 ft (1.2 m)

SJ6826 RT rough terrain scissor:
• Work height, 32.5 ft (9.9 m)
• Max capacity, 1,250 lbs (567 kg)
• Carries up to four people

SJ6832 RT rough terrain scissor:
• Work height, 38.5 ft (11.75 m)
• Max capacity, 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
• Roll-out extension deck, 5 ft (1.5 m)

SJ46 AJ articulating boom:
• Work height, 52.10 ft (16.10 m)
• Max capacity, 500 lbs (227 kg)
• Horizontal reach, 24.9 ft (7.5 m)

SJ63 AJ articulating boom:
• Work height, 70.2 ft (21.38 m)
• Max capacity, 500 lbs (227 kg)
• Horizontal reach, 40 ft (12.2 m)

Skyjack’s DC electric scissor lifts are compact machines, have roll-out extension decks and are ideal for working in tight spaces. Its 4WD rough terrain scissor lifts are suitable for rugged uneven ground, and are fitted with stabilizing outriggers for the harshest conditions. All of Skyjack’s electric and rough terrain scissors are driveable at full height.

The articulating booms offer excellent visibility and can operate complex manoeuvres, thanks to their 360° continuous turret rotation and SKYRISER™ – Skyjack’s unique feature which enables the fly boom and riser to move in a true vertical manner without drifting forward or back. Skyjack’s EASYDRIVE™ feature is also unique, in allowing the articulating booms to move in the direction the boom/counterweight is facing, regardless of their position in relation to the chassis. The SJ63 AJ also has a below-grade reach for additional accessibility.

Large-scale infrastructure requirements
JMS Plant Hire supplied around 100 Skyjack mobile elevating work platforms to a number of jobsites on the Crossrail route including Paddington, Whitechapel, Canary Wharf and Plumstead, in central and east London. Contractors using Skyjack equipment on the Crossrail project include large construction and civil engineering firms such as London-based Balfour Beatty, Clipfine, and Costain, and Maidenhead-based Mace.

Hertfordshire-based JMS Plant Hire offers specialized rental equipment to the mechanical, electrical, heating and ventilation industries. Established in 1998, JMS Plant Hire has leased Skyjack equipment since 2010.

“At JMS we like Skyjack’s machines because they are easy to use and reliable, and as a company they are great to deal with,” Jackson said. “Our engineers like using their equipment, and time and time again our customers request Skyjack above anything else.”

A Skyjack SJ6832 RT rough terrain scissor lift on the London Crossrail project.
London’s Crossrail scheme is the largest construction project in Europe
Photo credit: Crossrail Ltd.
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