Well Handled

Eliminating the hazards posed by manual handling and simplifying maintenance tasks to ensure compliance with regulations are two primary design aims under consideration when Penny Hydraulics introduces a new item of specialist tyre and wheel service equipment. And these are important factors to take into account when considering that, according to HSE statistics, the manual handling of heavy objects accounts for 38 per cent of all workplace injuries requiring three or more days absence from work – the greatest single cause of work-related illness.

The Penny Hydraulics range is comprised of a set of products and services that enable tyre suppliers and fleet engineers to fit out depots and vehicles including vans, pick-ups, dropsides and flatbeds. At Penny Hydraulics tyre industry customers have access to a one stop shop service for the design, supply, installation and maintenance of tyre handling equipment, and in recent times the company has added key new products to the range.

One such item is the Tyre Lift from Penny Hydraulics, a versatile platform lift for handling tyres, wheels and other loads weighing up to 250 kilograms between ground level and a first floor or mezzanine store in workshops or depots. Commenting on the lift’s features, Penny Hydraulics reports it offers greater flexibility than continuous belt type products as it is not restricted in the type of item it can transport; the Tyre Lift can handle all sorts of objects in addition to tyres and wheels, which means that available storage area can be used more efficiently. The entire handling process can be undertaken by a single person using the Tyre Lift without the need for any manual lifting, thus it provides a cost effective solution for complying with manual handling regulations while reducing the risk of injury to employees.

A compact design minimises the Tyre Lift’s footprint without restricting the available storage space and working area. It is available in a range of standard models and can handle three truck tyres or ten car or van tyres at a time as well as batteries, body panels and other stock items at heights up to four metres. Bespoke versions are also available to meet customers’ specific requirements. Robust construction using steel components ensures the Tyre Lift can be installed and reliably employed either indoors or outdoors. Lifts are designed and built within a total quality system, ISO 9000/2000, and are CE marked to demonstrate compliance with the latest legislation.

Vehicle mounted tyre handling equipment from Penny Hydraulics includes a wide range of platform lifts and cranes. The Single Wheel Lift is a vehicle mounted platform lift with maximum working load of up to 250 kilograms that can be installed at the rear or side door for handling tyres of all sizes, including those from large commercial vehicles. The unit’s unique rollered platform and easy-to-operate locking device provides an effective workstation for re-grooving tyres inside or outside the vehicle. The tyre and wheel can be locked onto the lift during transportation for additional safety and to reduce the risk of damage to the load, device or vehicle.

The rear mounted folding Step Lift has a maximum working load of 340 kilograms and is designed to replace the rear step on most types of van. Also designed for the rear of vehicles is the Easyloader, a lightweight and compact tail lift permitting a maximum lifting load of 550 kilograms. Used with T bars it enables the safe loading of multiple wheels and tyres. The side mounted Side Lift has a handling capacity of 250 kilograms. This enables repairs to be made on the hard shoulder or at the roadside, eliminating the risks associated with working at the rear of the vehicle. It also dramatically reduces the space required when parking as there is no need to leave access at the rear of the vehicle. The side configuration permits load distribution more towards the centre of the vehicle, reducing the risk of rear axle overload.

Yet another lifting solution provided by Penny Hydraulics is the Swing Lift type of vehicle mounted crane. These units provide operators with flexible load handling solutions for applications where platform lifts may not be suitable. The Miniloader 250 is a light duty vehicle-mounted electric crane that offers a safe, efficient and cost-effective means of handling wheels, tyres and other loads weighing up to 250 kilograms. The Foldaway and V Range cranes offer versatile solutions for handling loads up to two tonnes. V Range cranes are well suited for handling the larger tyres and wheels found on construction and agricultural machinery, and items in this line-up can be supplied with a bead breaking adaptor.

Mobile and static tyre presses from Penny Hydraulics have capacities up to 120 tonnes and are suitable for all types of solid and industrial tyres. Furthermore, they can be supplied with a Swing Lift crane or Tyre Lift to provide even greater handling versatility. Tyre regrooving can be performed safely and securely through the use of the Penny Hydraulics Tyre Re-grooving Stand, a unit that is available in static and portable versions for complete flexibility in the depot or workshop. It incorporates a roll-on/roll-off platform, which makes it easy to position the tyre without any manual handling or lifting.

The ability to provide a wide range of workshop and vehicle servicing equipment from a single source location is a major benefit Penny Hydraulics offers its customers. Experienced tyre industry professionals from the company work with customers to design their workshop or vehicle layout and select and specify the appropriate equipment. All Penny Hydraulics products are designed and manufactured in the UK, and the company provides a complete design and installation service with a nationwide network of engineers to help customers comply with current legislation. In addition, a comprehensive after sales service and maintenance programme, including nationwide training, is designed to provide complete peace of mind to customers.