Skyjack is expected to have more than 200 Skyjack aerial work platforms helping to complete the new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings, a National Football League team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in time for the 2016 football season.

“Construction on the stadium is just starting so we do not have all units on site yet but we anticipate having well over 200 by fall 2015,” said Don Beaupre, owner of Beaupre Aerial, the rental company working with subcontractors on the new Viking Stadium project.

Located in the heart of Minneapolis, the new glass-centric covered stadium will replace the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, which was torn down in early 2014. The nearly $1 billion new stadium will be home to the 52nd Super Bowl in 2018, the National Football League’s annual championship game and one of the most watched football events in the world. It will be Minneapolis’ second time hosting the Super Bowl; the last time was in 1992 at the now demolished Metrodome.

The 1.75 million square-foot stadium will feature moveable front windows, 65,400 seats, 800 hi-definition televisions, wifi and a translucent roof to let natural light that also makes snow removal easier.

Exceeding customer expectations

Subcontractors Harris Mechanical, Parsons Electric and Gephart Electric are using more than a dozen Skyjack vertical mast lifts, 38 DC electric scissor lifts and two rough terrain scissor lifts to help install the plumbing, HVAC and electric components at the new Viking Stadium.

“Our customers expect to rent Skyjacks because Skyjack equipment has made up the majority of our fleet since we started Beaupre Aerials. They, like us, appreciate the straight forward design and reliability of the equipment,” Beaupre said.

Beaupre Aerials has worked with both subcontractors on other stadium projects and have also used Skyjack equipment on those projects.

For the new Viking Stadium construction project, the subcontractors selected SJIII 3219, SJIII 3226 and SJIII 4632 electric scissor lifts for their various working height and deck size to help with installations.

• SJIII 3219 has a raised platform height of 19 ft (5.8 m), a working height of 25 ft (7.6 m), a 3 ft roll out extension deck, 30% grade-ability, and an industry-leading weight capacity of 550 lbs (249 kg).
• SJIII 3226 has a raised platform height of 26 ft (7.9 m), working height of 32 ft (9.8 m), a 3 ft rollout extension deck, 30% grade-ability and a weight capacity of 500 lbs (227 kg).
• SJIII 4632 has a raised platform height of 32 ft (9.8 m), a working height of 38 ft (11.6 m), a 4 ft roll out extension deck, 25% grade-ability and a weight capacity of 700 lbs (318 kg).

The subcontractors selected Skyjack’s SJ12 and SJ16 vertical mast lifts for their small turning radius in tight areas to help install HVAC systems. The self-propelled vertical mast lifts feature zero inside turning radius, 30% gradeability and a 20-inch traversing platform that provides increased access and ability to reach over potential obstacles.

• SJ12 has a raised platform height of 12 ft (3.65 m), working height of 18 ft (5.48m) and weight capacity of 500 lbs (227 kg).
• SJ16 has a raised platform height of 15 ft 7 inches (4.75 m), working height of 21 ft 7 inches (6.58 m) and weight capacity of 500 lbs (227 kg).

The subcontractors selected Skyjack’s SJ9250 RT rough terrain scissor lifts for its huge platform, soaring work height and heavy duty capacity. SJ9250 RT features an expansive 24 ft platform that can be extended with the optional 5 ft powered extension deck.

• SJ9250 RT has a raised platform height of 50 ft (15.2 m), working height of 56 ft (17.1 m) and weight capacity of 1,500 lbs (680 kg).

The Skyjack units currently work eight-hour shifts five days a week. Beaupre anticipates extending the aerial work platforms’ shift as the final deadline approaches. Watch a livestream of the construction project via the stadium’s web cam: www.newminnesotastadium.com/live-construction-cam

Repairing is a breeze

“Commonality of Skyjack parts allows us to carry a somewhat smaller inventory of parts both in our parts room at the shop as well as in our five mobile service vehicles,” Beaupre said. “Also, the commonality of electrical components allows an easier time of troubleshooting problems both in the shop and on a job site and means shorter down time for our customers.”

All Skyjack machines are designed around the company’s Simply Reliable philosophy. Trouble shooting and maintenance is made easy through the use of the company’s color-coded and numbered wiring system - SKYCODED. Repairs are also cost effective due to the use of “off the shelf” components as opposed to custom designs. Plus using a relay based control system allows Skyjack AWPs to operate using a simplified system with fewer and less expensive components – less maintenance and lower costs.

“Beaupre Aerial is a loyal Skyjack customer because of the quality, durability and reliability of the equipment,” Beaupre said. “Also, there has been no easier equipment manufacturer to work with since I have been in business.”