Stertil-Koni, the world’s leading provider of heavy-duty vehicle lifts, is now also the world leader in earth-friendly lifts. Following the recent introduction of two such eco-oriented heavy-duty lifts: SKYLIFT and ECO Lift, Stertil-Koni is expanding its unique line of ecologically intelligent lifts with the launch of its new ENVIROLIFT.

The ENVIROLIFT was introduced just three weeks ago at the Automechanika International Trade Fair in Germany and has more than seven distinct features that significantly decrease energy consumption and the overall environmental impact. As the first of its kind in the world, the ENVIROLIFT is creating a new category: “green mobile lifts.”

“It’s simple,” says Dr. Jean DellAmore, Stertil-Koni president and one of the driving forces behind the ecological lift movement at Stertil KONI. “Just like the SKYLIFT and ECO Lift, the ENVIROLIFT will reduce the carbon footprint of any organization regularly utilizing heavy duty lifting equipment.”

“Today’s forward-thinking companies care about the world around them,” DellAmore added. “They recognize that sustainability is a social responsibility and the obligation of all corporate citizens.”

Ninety-eight percent of the materials used to create the ENVIROLIFT are recyclable. This includes its nylon, steel and, most notably, its batteries. The batteries used, also known as deep-cycle marine batteries, are known for being extremely robust, energy-efficient and 100% recyclable.

In a departure from traditional heavy-duty lift designs; the ENVIROLIFT is engineered to use the weight of the vehicle it has lifted to recharge its batteries with each lowering cycle. The lift’s unique self-regeneration technology, resembling that used in today’s advanced hybrid vehicles, has led to a 50% increase in the total battery operating life.

While competitive battery-operated mobile lifts are typically able to complete around 8-10 full lifting cycles, the ENVIROLIFT’s batteries have life expectancies approximating 50 cycles (under a full load of approximately 72,000 lbs.).

The ENVIROLIFT also uses Panolin, a 100% biodegradable synthetic oil that has a much longer service life than other oils. The environmentally-friendly lubricant exhibits superior aging characteristics, as well as a higher resistance to oxidation.
Using traditional hydraulic fluid, a common lift will require oil changes much more frequently than an ENVIROLIFT using Panolin. While many hydraulic lifts require oil replacement every two years, with Panolin, a fluid change for the ENVIROLIFT is not expected to be necessary for as many as six years. With fluid life extending to as much as three times current replacement levels, the cost savings are considerable, and with the fluid’s biodegradable nature, the environmental repercussions are minimized.

The ENVIROLIFT will help companies and municipalities earn LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for their buildings. DellAmore said he has more and more inquiries about LEED-related projects by the day. “This lift is already setting a new standard and folks in the heavy-duty industry are excited to have a viable green solution from a trusted brand leader,” he said.

The ENVIROLIFT is the third lift in Stertil-Koni’s earth-friendly line of lifts. The ECO Lift and the SKYLIFT were introduced earlier this year and have both been enthusiastically received by the industry.

“We are actively promoting an earth-friendly strategy as evidenced by the recent introduction of our new lifts. The SKYLIFT operates above the earth, the ECO Lift operates under the earth, as an in-ground lift product and lastly, the ENVIROLIFT operates on the earth,” added DellAmore.

“I am also calling on others in our industry to join Stertil-Koni in promoting conservation of the environment by developing smarter lifting products with reduced carbon footprints.”

Stertil-Koni expects the ENVIROLIFT to be in full production no later than the first quarter of 2009. Stertil- Koni has distributors throughout the world including North America, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.

For additional information on products offered by Stertil-Koni, visit www.stertil-koni.com.