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by Peter Brett - June 2007
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01444 440188
Easy Lifting!
Designed from a clean slate with the Directives in mind the Pop-Up was, and seems set to remain, a unique solution to the problem of carrying, setting up and then moving small towers or supporting ladders when working at relatively low heights.
It is a simple machine, consisting of a steel base which contains the battery, charger and castors, a scissor action lift mounted on the base and a working platform with rails mounted on that. But really the simplicity is misleading, because a lot of careful thought has gone into it.
For example the Pop-Up will, on its decent sized castors, fit through a standard-size door opening and fit into a passenger lift. One person is able to move and manoeuvre it quite easily into the desired position and then lock the castors. From there it is a short step to the working platform behind the inward opening gate, and using the remote control to raise the platform to the maximum working height of 1.63m in around eight seconds.
As an absolute beginner to the machine I was feeling confident enough to move and use it within ten to fifteen minutes of being introduced to it. I was really impressed with the feeling of safety and stability of the Pop-Up. Even leaning over to my maximum reach I could not give myself a fright or feel unsafe. Being able to carry a full load of 240 kgs makes it possible (but maybe a bit cramped) for two people to work on the platform if necessary.
Of course this ease of use and feeling of safety make this a perfect machine for the hire market. A few minutes spent with a hire shop trainer would be enough for most people to be able to use it safely and correctly and clearly there is no need for users to have IPAF certification.
Having used it myself, it didn’t take much imagination for me to work out that for many businesses, hospitals, schools, colleges, universities and factories the Pop-Up, hired or purchased, is a safe and cost effective method of meeting the European regulations. Because the Pop-Up company have done the safety work for them, they can use it in the full assurance that the regulations are being met without having to get too technical with staff and training about using ladders, towers and scaffolding.
There are a few other things that potential Hire shop buyers need to know about the Pop-Up. The welded-in fork lift lugs on the base mean that it can easily be lifted onto a small flat-backed delivery vehicle. As I have already mentioned, it can fit through standard sized doors so it is possible to use it even in domestic installations. It is very affordable, whether looked at as an outright purchase or as a daily or weekly hire prospect. Some figures that I was given, although they may vary for some areas, show that the list price of a Pop-Up is about £3,000, while the average hire cost per week is about £50 to £100. For many institutions the cost of a couple of weeks’ hire per year becomes a very cost effective way of changing lightbulbs, cleaning and general maintenance of out-of-reach items without breaching working height regulations.
These prices are made possible by using a Far East factory to make the machine. However, with European design, testing and a batch inspection process each Pop-Up is assured of meeting the high quality standards necessary.
Each Pop-Up is given a rigorous Pre Delivery Inspection when it comes into the UK and service and spares are available through a company called IPS if necessary. A normal battery charge will last about 400 lift cycles which is more than an average two weeks’ use. The battery is a low maintenance type that has a multi-voltage diagnostic charger that will forestall or regulate possible battery problems.
I could provide a whole lot more technical specs that would prove the capabilities and strengths of the Pop-Up, but I think that would be boring for readers and me. For me the real case for the Pop-Up lies in the following little story.
A company NSG was making aluminium access towers marketed under the brand name of Eiger. Then along came the original Pop-Up. It proved to such a popular machine and such a popular name that very soon NSG realized that it ought to capitalise on its success and so the Pop-Up brand was born and they even formed a new company to market the product it goes by the name Pop-Up Products Limited. We like that about things, with our Hoovers and Wellingtons, and I am sure that if and when others start making similar machines they may well be referred to as “Pop-Ups.”
For myself, the overriding impression I have of the Pop-Up is that it is really good fun. With its Bright Red colour scheme and dinky handling I could easily imagine that regular users would become attached to their Pop-Ups because they make their working lives a lot easier and safer. What more recommendation does the Pop-Up need?
Time and progress does not stand still, and for those who need a little more height capability with the increase in stability necessary for that, the Pop-Up Plus is already in the pipeline.
Independent Review by Peter Brett
Airstream Communications