The Minnesota Vikings have announced plans to enlist more than 200 Skyjack aerial work platforms (AWPs) to help build their new stadium.
The units, owned by rental company Beaupre Aerial, will facilitate the installation of plumbing, HVAC, and electrical components at the New Minnesota Stadium.
A dozen Skyjack vertical mast lifts, 38 electric scissor lifts, and two rough-terrain scissor lifts are already supporting work at the site, and the supplier expects this number to rise substantially during the course of the project.
“Construction on the stadium is just starting so we do not have all units on site, but we anticipate having well over 200 by fall 2015,” revealed Don Beaupre, owner of Beaupre Aerial.
With a construction cost of $1bn, the 65,400-seat New Minnesota Stadium will provide the backdrop for the 52nd Super Bowl in 2018. Construction is scheduled to complete in 2016, and Beaupre says that his Skyjack units have proven popular with subcontractors working at the site.
“Our customers expect to rent Skyjacks because Skyjack equipment has made up the majority of our fleet since we started Beaupre Aerials. They, like us, appreciate the straightforward design and reliability of the equipment,” he said.
The AWPs currently work eight-hour shifts, five days a week. Despite this demanding schedule, the units’ owner is confident that uptime can be maintained.
“Commonality of Skyjack parts allows us to carry a somewhat smaller inventory of parts, both in our parts room at the shop as well as in our five mobile service vehicles,” explained Beaupre.
“Also, the commonality of electrical components allows an easier time of troubleshooting problems both in the shop and on a job site, and means shorter downtime for our customers,” he concluded.
