Leading powered access hire specialist Nu-Hire is investing in Tadano Oil&Steel platforms supplied by Hird Sales to rapidly grow its spider lift rental fleet.
The company, based in Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland, has based its decision on customer praise for the performance of Oil&Steel Octoplus platforms, and the quality of the service provided by Hird Sales.
Nu-Hire Director Leigh Baker, pictured above right, says: “We bought our first Oil&Steel spider cherry picker in April 2024 and received such good feedback from customers that we’ve continued to invest in them.
“Octoplus platforms have performance advantages across the board compared with other tracked platforms. They’re more compact, have a better working envelope and more features that make using them easier. Our customers really like them.
“Also, the service from Hird Sales is excellent. We’re always treated like a valued customer and every member of their team is always happy to help.”
Octoplus spider lift confidence confirmed
In the latest tranche of platforms to be added to the fleet, Nu-Hire has taken in an additional Octoplus 21 spider lift and two extra Octoplus 17 spider lifts.
Hird Sales Area Sales Manager Dan Holgate, pictured left above, says: “It’s great that the very positive customer reaction to Octoplus platforms is confirming the confidence Leigh and his team have in both them and Hird Sales.
“They’re designed from the bottom up to give operatives a clear edge when facing big working at height challenges, while delivering reliable and safe service.
“At Hird Sales, we make sure our service complements Oil&Steel’s high performance characteristics, with fast and smooth order fulfilment and the very best after-sales support.”
3.5t trailer delivery and collection
Both the Octoplus 17 and Octoplus 21 platforms are designed to provide highly flexible options for one or two operatives to complete a wide range of indoor or outdoor working at height tasks, including:
- Building inspection and maintenance
- Tree management
- Digital systems installation and maintenance
- Signage and lighting installation and maintenance
Crucially, their relatively low weights – the Octoplus 17 weighs 2330kg and the Octoplus 21 2850kg – allows them to be transported on a standard 3.5t plant trailer, towed by a van or pick-up truck.
This makes delivery and collection of the platforms more flexible, including in constrained spaces and off-road areas.
Octoplus 17 and Octoplus 21 – performance at a glance
| Function | Octoplus 17 | Octoplus 21 |
| Maximum working height | 17m | 20.7m |
| Maximum working outreach | 7.6m | 10.6m |
| Maximum basket capacity | 250kg | 250kg |
| Stowed width | 785mm | 785mm |
Both spider booms are exceptionally compact when stowed for tracking, allowing them to be moved through very narrow gaps, including garden gates and doors into and through buildings.
Nu-Hire’s customers have said they particularly like the way the platforms are tracked with a wireless remote control unit, rather than a cabled unit, says Leigh Baker.
This gives the operator complete freedom to position themselves where they get the optimum view when moving the platforms through tight spaces and then setting them up.
Multiple advantages highlighted by customers
Customers comment favourably on the safely information on the digital display panels, like the weight in basket and reach distances, which is very useful to identify platform parameters.
Arborists, in particular, also like the way power tracks, cables and pipework are enclosed in the top boom, preventing snagging on tree branches as they work.
Other Octoplus spider cherry picker features valued by rental companies and their customers include:
- Robust, all-steel build quality
- One-touch button outrigger auto-levelling and stowing
- One-touch button automatic basket lowering or return to a previous working position
- Variable outrigger placement for working in particularly confined or irregular spaces.
- Industry-leading working ground clearance for working over uneven ground
- Hydraulic track widening and withdrawal to optimise stability during tracking
Nu-Hire is a full service powered access hire specialist, able to supply scissor lifts, cherry pickers and low-level platforms of all types and size across Scotland.
The company has invested in flexible bi-energy versions of Octoplus platforms, with low-emission diesel engines and powerful 220v electric motors.
This allows its customers to switch to cabled electric operation for indoor work or where low-noise operation is required.
Other power options available are:
- Bi-energy petrol engines plus electric motors
- Diesel or petrol engine power only
- All-electric power from lithium electric batteries
Go large with Oil&Steel Octoplus 30
Hird Sales can also supply the Oil&Steel Octoplus 30 spider cherry picker. This has a maximum working height of 29.6m and a maximum outreach of 16.3m, yet is just 900mm wide when stowed for tracking.
Find out more about the full range of Oil&Steel Octoplus spider lifts available from Hird Sales, along with the competitive finance packages available.
Hird Sales also provide excellent access platform service, maintenance and fast repair support through our fleet of mobile engineers.
