Snorkel Reaches Above & Beyond With World’s Largest Boom At Conexpo/Con Agg 2020

Alcide Leblanc (left) and Louis Leblanc (center) of Mortier en Trémie ABL signs for the first Snorkel 2100SJ with Snorkel owner, Don Ahern (right)

Snorkel is reaching above and beyond at CONEXPO/CON-AGG 2020 with the launch of the world’s largest self-propelled boom lift.

Dubbed a ‘mega boom’, the new Snorkel 2100SJ telescopic boom lift reaches a maximum platform height of 210 ft. (64.0m), provides an industry-leading horizontal outreach up to 100 ft. (30.4m), and an unrestricted platform capacity of 660 lbs. (300kg). With a maximum working height of 216 ft. (65.8m), the 2100SJ reaches an equivalent of 22 building stories, making it ideal for high-rise construction and maintenance applications.

Almost 30 years since Snorkel founder, Art Moore introduced the TB120 at The ARA Show 1991, Snorkel is once again leading the self-propelled telescopic boom industry with the greatest reach, while continuing to remain true to its original design ethos for simple, reliable and robust product designs.

Designed in-house by Snorkel’s engineering team, the 2100SJ features a number of patent pending innovations, as well as an industry-leading working envelope with an area volume of 5.48 Million ft3 (155,176m3), thanks to a 30 ft. (9.1m) jib boom, with a working arc of -55° to +73°, and 150° platform rotation.

On the heavy-duty chassis, the patent pending transformation mechanism features a unique design that enables the axles to be extended while the lift is static. The use of the wheel motors, rather than cylinders, to essentially ‘drive’ the axles into their extended position eliminates the risk of tire scrub on the ground, extending the life of the tires and providing a smoother extension experience for the operator. The automatic chassis transformation is activated by a single toggle switch.

For such a large aerial lift, the Snorkel 2100SJ boasts incredible maneuverability capabilities, with a best-in-class inside turning radius (extended) of 8 ft. 6 in. (2.5m). It also features five steering modes, including front axle; rear axle; crab steer; complementary 4-wheel steer; and new lateral steer, which enables the lift to drive side-to-side along a building with the wheels in a 90° position.

Powerful 4-wheel drive with automatic traction control, which locks the 4 wheels together, delivers exceptional performance on rough terrain, and closed loop hydraulics provide a smooth driving experience. Powered by a Deutz turbo-charged 2.9L 74hp diesel engine as standard, an optional 100hp engine upgrade will be available. Equipped with a 50 gallon (189 liters) steel fuel tank, the 2100SJ has both an electric fuel gauge, similar to automotive vehicles, plus a manual gauge.

Designed to be compliant with all global standards, including ANSI A92.20, the Snorkel 2100SJ measures just 8 ft. 2 in. (2.5m) wide, which is suitable for all global transport width requirements, including in Europe and Australia. The jib boom is fitted with a rotator to enable it to be stowed completely alongside the boom to minimize transport length to 49 ft. (14.9m).

For safer loading and unloading, the Snorkel 2100SJ is equipped with a removable RF-controlled lower control panel designed to be operated remotely, either tethered or wireless. The remote-control panel has all machine functions, including drive, and the panel can be easily stowed inside the turntable where it can be used as conventional fixed lower controls.

Both the lower and upper control panels include a 7 in. (177mm) color LCD screen, which displays a brand-new multi-lingual Snorkel user interface featuring clear operator communications, such as the pre-start procedure in a visual checklist format, and service reminders.

Developed with ease of serviceability at its core, the 2100SJ comes with large fiberglass cowling doors maximizing access to all key service components. The two hydraulic manifolds are easily accessible via the side cowling doors, and the main valve is designed to be “inside out”, meaning it swings outside of the lift footprint for improved access. The main slew bearing bolt heads are located on the top of the chassis to eliminate the need for service engineers to lay down underneath the unit. All filters are located together behind a cowling door for efficiency during regular servicing, other than the engine oil filter.

Consistent with most Snorkel lifts, the 2100SJ is fitted with on-board diagnostics, meaning that no external devices are required to troubleshoot the lift, providing increased familiarity for operators and service technicians alike.

Focused on simplicity, the boom assembly design has 40% less moving parts than the current industry standard, meaning less complexity and spare parts from a service and maintenance perspective, and increased reliability. Simplicity is also key in the load management system, which is based on jib boom extension, rather than on the platform load, delivering a simple, single envelope. This means that when the 30 ft. (9.1m) jib boom is retracted, the operator has an unrestricted working envelope of 1,000 lbs. (454kg), but the when the jib boom is extended, the platform capacity is restricted to 660 lbs. (300kg).

While this system provides a much simpler experience for the operator, Snorkel has also added haptics to its upper controls. This provides the operator with a joystick vibration experience that becomes proportionally stronger to warn the operator as they near the boundaries of the envelope, to avoid sudden stops when working at height.

In the platform, user-friendly, all-proportional controls provide a smooth and simple operator experience, with three joysticks – one dedicated to drive functions, one dedicated to all boom functions, and one dedicated to jib boom functions. Flat, heavy duty metal toggle switches have been custom-made to be easier to use and are long-lasting, even in rental applications.

Common with Snorkel’s family of telescopic boom lifts, the 2100SJ utilizes Snorkel’s spacious 8 ft. (2.4m) by 3 ft. (0.9m) tri-entry, quick-disconnect platform design, which has been equipped with some additional features. The primary upper control panel is designed to be ultra-robust and is produced from cast aluminum with the LCD screen covered by a protective bonnet to shield it from damage and weather conditions.

Patent pending secondary platform controls are designed to enable the operator to face the work area while positioning the platform, for safer operation and increased precision. The secondary control panel, which provides all machine functions other than drive, is located on the opposite side of the platform to the primary controls and can be ‘folded away’ into a stowed position when not in use to maximize the platform working area and to protect it from damage. Both the primary and secondary controls include Snorkel Guard™ anti-entrapment systems.

Weighing 80,000 lbs. (36,287kg) and rated for outdoor use up to 28mph (12.5m/s), the Snorkel 2100SJ comes with an anemometer as standard to measure wind speeds. The Snorkel 2100SJ is equipped with redundant, isolated, emergency power supplies to provide at least three alternative options to rescue an operator up to the maximum platform height of the lift. Upon start-up of the lift in the stowed position, the controller performs a check of both emergency power systems. Voltage in the batteries is checked to ensure they have a proper charge, and then the system automatically powers up the pump motor and looks for pressure.

If either of these tests are not passed for both primary and secondary emergency power unit, the operator is notified on the display screen and advised to have the unit inspected and serviced. This emergency power system check is then performed every three hours during operation so the operator can have confidence that both emergency power systems are in proper operating condition.

For operator reference, Snorkel has published a detailed guide to the emergency descent procedures for the 2100SJ on its website at www.snorkellifts.com/2100sj.

The new Snorkel 2100SJ is shown at CONEXPO/CON-AGG 2020 as a preview. The lift is expected to enter production in early 2021, and Snorkel is accepting pre-orders at the show.

Snorkel is pleased to announce that Mortier en Trémie ABL, Inc. has placed the first pre-order for a Snorkel 2100SJ. Established in 2002, Mortier en Trémie ABL supplies premixed mortar in bulk, plus the sale and rental of work equipment, including telehandlers, and tools for masonry and other contractors in a territory covering the province of Quebec, the Maritimes and part of Ontario in Eastern Canada. The deal was signed during a dinner with Snorkel owner, Don Ahern and Ahern Canada Regional Territory Manager for Eastern Canada, Tom Bell.

Visit Snorkel at Booth #F6929 in the Festival Lot at CONEXPO-CON/AGG from March 10-14, 2020.