Custom Bronto S104HLA to claim the title for tallest aerial platform in Australia

• The Bronto S104HLA is the first 104-metre aerial access platform in Australia and the largest road-legal aerial platform in the southern hemisphere.

• The project team, including Bronto Skylift, GFS/Bronto Skylift AUNZ, and Offroad Trucks Australia, engineered a custom Tatra T158 16×16 chassis to meet Australian road regulations.

• The custom chassis features eight axles, with five permanently driven and three engageable from the cabin, enhancing off-road mobility and weight capacity.

• The Bronto S104HLA is designed for versatility, with a 104-metre working height, 33 metres of side reach, and a spacious platform capable of carrying up to 600 kg.

• The Bronto+ control system ensures smooth, stable, and safe operation for various high-rise applications in the wind, telecommunications, and industrial sectors.

A significant milestone is about to be reached for working at height in Australia with the introduction of the Bronto S104HLA, the first 104-metre aerial access platform in the country and the largest road-legal aerial platform in the southern hemisphere. Due to Australian road regulations, being able to bring the Bronto S104HLA to the market took quite a bit of engineering – and a custom chassis through Offroad Trucks Australia – to make it happen.

Unlocking road-legal access at 104 metres

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The wind and telecommunications industries in Australia are growing, and with them, the need for taller aerial platforms. But there’s a problem: high-rise aerials aren’t road legal across most states in Australia. With this S104HLA, the project team – which included Bronto Skylift, GFS/Bronto Skylift AUNZ, and Offroad Trucks Australia – set out to change that.

The project team reviewed options for six, seven and eventually eight axles that would give the weight capacity required per axle. To achieve it, the aerial will be mounted on a custom Tatra T158 16×16 chassis fitted with two extra-wide 445mm tyres on all axles. This design enabled each axle to achieve a capacity of ten tonnes. In total, there are eight axles – five permanently driven and three that can be engaged from the cabin. To further reduce ground pressure, all can be engaged at once to maximise off-road mobility including differential locks on all 8 axles and a 2-speed transfer case increasing the off-road ability. Five steering axles allow an impressive tight turning radius for a vehicle of such a unique length.

“With exceptional dedication, engineering and support from the project team, we are able to bring equipment like the Bronto S104HLA to Australia. This project is just the beginning of our continuous commitment to meeting industry needs.” Damian Wing, Manufacturers Representative, GFS/Bronto Skylift AUNZ

This unique axle configuration also required major modifications to the cab of the truck, with a large cut-out area to house the boom without compromising the cabin’s structural integrity.

Ultimately, the unique expertise of Tatra – alongside close co-operation throughout the team – made the design and construction a success.

“The ability of TATRA trucks and their talented engineers to find solutions for custom chassis builds has resulted in this 16×16 custom chassis being possible. Working closely with Tatra Trucks, Bronto Skylift and GFS/Bronto Skylift AUNZ has resulted in the ideal solution for this special project.” Lee Morley, National Sales Manager, Offroad Trucks Australia

The Bronto S104HLA – a master of heights

After meeting Australia’s road rules and regulations with its custom chassis, the largest, tallest road-legal aerial platform will be ready to deploy on- and off-road throughout the country. Versatility will be a must, as a range of wind turbine, telecommunications and industrial access work will take the aerial along challenging roads and deep into the remote outback.

The S104HLA is built for it. A short overhang and quick setup time make it manoeuvrable and efficient, and its 104 metres of maximum working height is perfect for the highest of aerial platform applications. Once in the air, its extensive 33 metres of side reach allows for access to multiple areas of, e.g., a powerline or wind turbine without repositioning the truck.

And all this reach is powered by the precision Bronto+ control system, for a ride that’s smooth, stable and safe for operators.

The aerial is also equipped with a spacious platform – with 85 degrees of rotation in either direction – that can carry a maximum load of 600 kg in the extendable cage, plenty of space for an operator, plus extra tools and equipment to meet any high-rise access needs.