Abellio London explains how Stertil Koni’s wireless mobile column lifts support its workshop activities in Armstrong Way, Southall.
Abellio London’s Southall depot has an operating fleet of 107 buses, comprising both single and double-deck vehicles. The workshop within the depot operates three shifts a day, seven days a week, to provide support to the bus fleet. Each week, a minimum of 35 buses undergo a range of workshop operations, including scheduled inspections, servicing, mechanical and body repairs, plus general maintenance.
Each of the Stertil Koni mobile column lifts, type ST1075FWA-4, provides a lifting capacity of 7.5 tonnes per column so, when used as a set of four, the combined capacity is 30 tonnes. This ensures safe, smooth and controlled lifting.
The ST1075FWA-4 provides a maximum lifting height of 1.85 metres, which is reached in 75 seconds, making it one of the fastest commercial vehicle lifts available. Also, each column is fitted with the eBright smart control system, which enables workshop staff to operate the columns individually, in pairs, or in any other configuration from a single location.
Incorporating wireless mesh network connectivity and full-colour touch screen consoles, the eBright smart control system has been designed and developed to simplify operation by providing maximum visual information about every lifting operation, all at the fingertips of the technician.
For added safety and performance, the eBright smart control system also shows how many columns in the set are being used, the battery status of each column and when the independent mechanical locking system is engaged.
Long-life deep cycle batteries will power the lifts for at least a week, on average, before recharging is necessary. The batteries can be charged overnight via a 230V single phase supply. With no cables on the workshop floor, the risk of tripping is removed, providing valuable health and safety benefits, and, with no power supply necessary, the system can be used safely inside or outdoors.
The absence of power and communication cables also means that setup time is drastically reduced, thereby making the system fully operational much more quickly. Significantly, the lift’s unique synchronisation system ensures a smooth lifting and lowering cycle, even in the event of uneven load distribution.
In addition to the five sets of ST1075FWA-4 wireless mobile column lifts – a total of 20 individual lifting columns – Stertil Koni also supplied a range of complementary garage equipment. This included 12 tall axle stands, eight medium axle stands, and three sets of access steps.
“As a group, we have relied upon Stertil Koni wireless mobile column lifts for a number of years across our depots,” explains Ken Fennell, Head of Facilities at Abellio London.
“We appreciate the flexibility that the lifts provide for our engineering function, and we recognise that they eliminate many issues where the use of traditional lifts would present a risk.”
