Fortbrand Improves GSE Maintenance with Stertil-Koni Column Lifts

Fortbrand, a leading Ground Support Equipment (GSE) manufacturer, has enhanced its vehicle maintenance capabilities with a new set of Stertil-Koni wireless mobile column lifts. 

The investment supports Fortbrand’s newly opened workshop in Crawley, which is dedicated to servicing its fleet of de-icing vehicles operating at Gatwick Airport. The new lifting equipment provides technicians with improved access to the underside of vehicles, making maintenance and repair work easier and more efficient. 

Each mobile column has a lifting capacity of 8.5 tonnes, providing a combined capacity of up to 34 tonnes for the four-column set.

To meet Fortbrand’s specific requirements, the lifts were supplied with tall axle stands for additional vehicle support and wheel-free maintenance, while a Stertil-Koni WD-5P High Lift Wheel Dolly was also provided for the safe and efficient removal and installation of heavy-duty wheels by one person.

A key benefit of mobile column lifts is their flexibility. The columns can be positioned around a vehicle as required and moved away when lifting equipment is not needed, allowing the workshop layout to be adapted to different maintenance requirements and making better use of available floor space.

The ST1085FWA’s wireless operation also removes the need for interconnecting cables, helping to reduce setup time and potential trip hazards. The ebright Smart Control System features a full-colour touchscreen and allows technicians to control individual columns or the complete lifting set from any column.

The columns communicate through Stertil-Koni’s wireless mesh network, which provides reliable communication between all columns in the lifting set. This helps maintain consistent operation in busy workshop environments, while the system automatically synchronises the columns during lifting and lowering. 

Powered by long-life deep-cycle batteries, the lifts typically provide up to a week of operation between charges. Energy is consumed only during lifting, supporting efficient operation in a demanding workshop environment. 

Safety is also integral to the design. Each column incorporates a mechanical locking system, while advanced synchronisation technology continuously monitors the position of the columns. If a height difference of more than 15 mm occurs, the system automatically corrects it to maintain a smooth and stable lift, even when loads are unevenly distributed.

For additional assurance, the ST1085FWA is independently tested to meet demanding international safety requirements, including the American ANSI/ALI ALCTV standard, alongside CE certification. 

Contact Stertil-Koni on 01604 662049, or email lifts@stertil.co.uk.

WEBSITE LINK: WWW.FORTBRAND.COM