Masonry Magazine June 2002 Page. 48
SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT
Mast climbing work platforms are not cheap. And while many, if not most, mason contractors can opt for renting the MCWP they need to save costs, that option isn't always available due to geographic location, availability or deadline. That means owning (or leasing) are the options and overall cost can be a consideration.
Some contractors have found that a MCWP is a good investment; several-even from different vendors are a better investment. And the best investment can be different technologies that offer specific benefits on the job.
Bill Stovall, project manager at MCAA-member Skinner Masonry, Mesquite, Texas explains his company's philosophy. "Skinner Masonry owns Fraco, Hydro Mobile and Non-Stop Scaffolding systems," he says. "Over the years, we have learned that job site conditions and the project type will usually determine when we would use a particular type of scaffolding, All three systems are extremely well made and on many occasions we will incorporate all three on a single project."
Each of the systems performs well but each performs best in certain situations. The Non-Stop Scaffolding system, for example, works well when the building has many short wall segments or multiple turns. Unlike the motorized, hydraulic actuated mast climbers it competes with, Non-Stop uses the classic winch method of raising the platform. And Non-stop will be the first to point out that its cost is significantly less than the others.
Stovall continues, "The three systems bring a wide range of versatility to a project and can be used in combination to give a commercial mason the best value. We believe we have purchased the highest production, most cost effective, and most durable scaffolding systems available today. For example, comparisons of maintenance costs is difficult due to the different mechanical aspects involved but we have found maintenance is minimal for all three."
At Skinner Masonry, they have systems with one common goal, three different approaches, and multiple similarities. "Skinner Masonry has found all the systems we own to be excellent performers for the tasks they were designed to do," claims Stovall. "The one common factor between these systems is that they all increase productivity dramatically over conventional forms of scaffolding. That gives us a competitive edge and the ability to be more profitable in a time when cost efficiency is the difference between a project that exceeds expectations and one that just meets the estimate."
According to Stovall, "All are designed with ease of transport, erection and operation in mind. In our opinion, Non Stop, Hydro Mobile, and Fraco would be in that order when considering ease of erection but that doesn't necessarily mean they would end up in that order when deciding the best unit for a particular job."
As you can tell, at Skinner, they don't have a "litmus test" they apply to determine which scaffolding system is best-there are too many factors involved. In many ways that is the beauty of the state of the art today, no matter the situation, there is some product that will fill the bill.
Disappoint a lawyer.
(Prevent work-related injuries.)
Don't wait for a lawsuit. Participate in our Safety and Health Consultation Program, ASAP. It's free. It's confidential. And it will help you reduce work-related injuries and illness as well as help reduce the cost of doing business. Not only will this program help ward off the lawyers. As an added bonus, it will keep OSHA off your back, too, by teaching you how to comply with OSHA regulations. But act fast. The vultures could be circling your workplace right now.