The advantages of light vehicles that can handle high lifts are clear. The vehicles cost less, are easier to drive, can be used by more people, and can handle tight spaces or sensitive environments where larger vehicles won’t fit.

At the Swedish Steel Prize 2010 the design was awarded second prize.

“We will soon offer new models in the heavier vehicle classes, too,” says Nico Wessels, Head of Product Design at Ruthmann GmbH & Co. The limit for how high our vehicles can reach is difficult to assess, but there is no doubt that it always moves upwards and that high-strength steel will advance with us in the future.”

Facts Ruthmann GmbH & Co

No. of employees: ca 300
Sales (EUR): ca 50 m.
Export: ca 30 percent

Application: Telescopic boom for aerial platform, Steiger TB 270.

Material: Docol 1200, 1.5/1.8 mm.

  • Lift height: 27 m
  • Work area laterally: 14.8 m
  • Load capacity: 230 kg
  • Total weight: 3.5 tons

Customer benefits: The design has significantly increased lift height and load capacity while maintaining the total weight for light trucks (3.5 tons). The effect of local buckling on load capacity and rigidity were taken into account by adjusting the cross-sectional shape of the boom to the half plate thickness (1.5 and 1.8 mm) and the high strength steel. Other advantages are smaller dimensions for the vehicle, greater flexibility with respect to driving license classes, and a lighter, less expensive chassis.

Jury's motivation:

Ruthmann has skillfully used advanced high strength steel (Docol 1200) in the telescoping boom of its new aerial platform. The unique design has significantly increased lift height and load capacity while maintaining the total weight for light trucks (3.5 tons). The effect of buckling on load capacity and rigidity were taken into account by adjusting the cross-sectional shape of the boom to the half plate thickness (1.5 and 1.8 mm) and the high strength steel.