Our Light towers render your camping headlamp akin to a mere glimmer. These illuminating towers signify serious business. However, adept usage is imperative to maximize the value when procuring this equipment.
What Constitutes an Light Tower?
An effective Light tower plays a pivotal role in workplace safety. Due to their substantial size and potency, these hireable fixtures are predominantly deployed outdoors.
Typically, an Light tower comprises a sizable, portable structure housing high-intensity lights atop a mast. Given the exorbitant cost of purchasing a new one and the necessity for storing this colossal equipment, opting to hire makes more economic sense.
Applications of Light Towers
We've established that an Light tower serves as an exceptional worksite luminary. But what does this entail exactly? Which industries and tradesfolk, in particular, prioritize workplace safety with one? Here's why an light tower is indispensable hire gear not only during winter but throughout the year.
many individuals utilize this equipment for nighttime events such as concerts, music festivals, or even weddings. These towers enhance patron safety by illuminating pathways, directing attendees to essential areas like restrooms.
- Emergency Situations or Power Outages
Our reliance on electricity is glaring in modern times, encompassing home lighting. An light tower proves invaluable during blackouts or other emergencies. Most of our Light towers at Horizont are either diesel-powered or hybrid, ensuring operability even in the absence of conventional power sources.
Pro Tip: If relying on a battery, consider renting a power generator for recharging. Refer to our advanced generator guide for insights on selection criteria.
- Construction Sites
Foremost among the reasons to hire an Light tower from us is its utility on construction sites, particularly during nocturnal operations. These towers enable teams to labor safely even in low visibility or nighttime conditions, with workplace safety always remaining paramount.
- Film Sets
Surprisingly, Light towers find common usage on movie sets. When filming transpires in remote locales or during nighttime shoots, Light towers are employed to illuminate sets and ensure crew safety. While we may not be cinema aficionados at Horizont, our equipment likely contributed to significant film productions over the years.
- Roadworks
Many roadworks projects unfold during nighttime hours, owing to reduced vehicular traffic. Civil construction firms constitute some of our primary clientele for Light towers, utilizing them to facilitate safe operations well into the night, particularly during winter when daylight hours diminish. Additionally, in scenarios where streetlights are inactive during daytime roadworks, Light towers serve as a viable alternative.
Powering Methods
In essence, there are three primary sorts of Light towers. It's pertinent to mention that most Light towers nowadays are hybrid variants. Diesel Light towers are gradually being phased out. We provide all three options at Horizont, although some are less common than others. These categories comprise:
- Diesel
True to its name, this is an light tower powered by a diesel engine. These models are tried-and-true, albeit sometimes a tad noisier.
- Hybrid
Hybrid Light towers represent a more contemporary approach to this equipment. These towers operate on a combination of diesel, battery, and mains power (via a 10A Plug). Similar to hybrid cars, these hybrid Light towers feature an integrated generator that charges the battery while in operation, enabling extended runtime with reduced fuel consumption.
- Electric
Electric light towers are relatively scarce in New Zealand, although a few can be found.
When selecting an Light tower, consider your priorities. Opt for hybrid or electric variants if noise is a concern. If environmental impact is a consideration, steer clear of diesel-powered options.
Transportation Considerations
The majority of light towers available at Horizont are trailer-mounted. This simplifies transportation as you can easily hitch it onto your tow ball and hit the road. However, we do offer a couple of non-towable options, necessitating the rental of a truck for relocation from point A to point B. In most instances, a mere trailer won't suffice. Before selecting a light tower, assess whether your vehicle is equipped with a tow ball.
Brightness Levels
Typically, light towers are gauged by their luminous intensity, measured in lumens. For the uninitiated, lumens quantify the quantity of light emitted. It's a no-brainer: if you require Light over a broader expanse, opting for a higher lumen light tower is advisable.
In the past, older diesel light towers utilized halogen lights (4 x 1000w). However, contemporary hybrid models feature LED lights (4 x 150w). These LED lights generally emit a white light compared to the yellow hue of halogen lights.
Wind Resistance
Especially pertinent for exposed work sites, it's crucial to factor in wind capacity when selecting a light tower. This denotes the maximum wind speed at which the light tower can safely operate without toppling over or sustaining damage. The majority of light towers available at Horizont boast a wind capacity of 110 km/hr.
Light Sensor Functionality
An advantageous feature of our hybrid light towers is the built-in light sensor. Essentially, this feature automates the activation and deactivation of the light based on ambient light levels. Consequently, the light tower illuminates at dusk and extinguishes at dawn.
While this may seem somewhat eerie, it proves to be a time-saving and convenient attribute, particularly in scenarios where continuous Light is required but manpower is lacking. A prime example is roadworks, where the light tower serves as a substitute for street lighting. Additionally, this sensor aids in conserving fuel, enhancing eco-friendliness.
Ensuring Light Tower Safety
Prioritizing workplace safety is imperative when using any equipment. This entails adhering to safety protocols and donning appropriate personal protective gear. When Buying equipment from Horizont, each item is accompanied by its own set of safety guidelines. While specific requirements may vary, essential PPE considerations include:
- Reinforced steel-toed boots
- Ear protection
- Sturdy gloves
- Electric shock protection (for hybrid or electric models)
Additionally, conducting a thorough pre-start safety inspection before activating your light tower is essential. These inspections may entail:
- Verifying a full fuel tank and securely fastened fuel cap (for diesel models)
- Checking for any loose nuts and bolts on the equipment
- Surveying the work site for potential hazards
- Ensuring the presence of a current EC tag for compliance
- Testing the towing mechanism (for towable models)
- Verifying proper functioning of the hybrid system (for hybrid models)
- Identifying any dangling electrical lines
Setting Up a Light Tower
To begin, it's important to note that each light tower possesses its own unique characteristics. Correspondingly, each model is accompanied by its own distinct setup directives. Therefore, adhering to these guidelines is paramount. Presently, our hybrid light towers reign supreme in popularity. Here's a basic rundown of how to set one up:
Setup Procedure:
- Initially, ensure the handbrake is engaged upon removing the light tower from the vehicle.
- Proceed to deploy the stabilizing legs by extending them outward.
- Activate both battery isolators.
- Rotate the system switch to hybrid mode and twist the emergency stop switch clockwise to activate it.
- Initiate the engine startup sequence.
- Extend the mast to its full height.
- Conclude the process by shutting down the engine, achieved by pressing the stop button twice.
- Adjust the LED control to either 'light sensor on' or 'manual on' as per requirement.
- Lastly, activate the auto function on the MP Nano Generator Control, ensuring automatic startup of the generator when battery levels are low.
Conversely, the shutdown procedure is straightforward. Lower the mast, secure it in place, then deactivate the operation dial and battery isolator switches.
