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When it comes to consistent use of an elevated work platform, arborists would have to be the busiest professionals out there. They work at heights every single day, moving between tree-lopping jobs multiple times a day.
Arborists know what works for them, and have become one of the strongest segments for spider lift ownership in Australia. Spider lifts and tree lopping go exceptionally well together.
The machine that more and more of them are turning to? The Socage Raptor.
Let’s take a look at the reasons behind this trend.
Why Arborist Work Suits a Spider Lift
Most elevated work platforms are built for flat, open sites. Arborist work is generally outdoors, and the surfaces aren’t predictable. There are suburban backyards with sloping blocks and soft grass, or trees growing over pools, fences, and buildings.
You can see why a conventional boom lift on a wheeled undercarriage would struggle with that kind of terrain. But a tracked spider lift like the Socage Raptor range handles it well.
These EWPs move around on rubber tracks which spread load and grip across uneven or soft ground without chewing it up. They have stabilising legs which extend independently, so the machine levels itself on a slope rather than needing a flat pad to set up on. The footprint when travelling is compact enough to get through a standard side gate.
For arborists, these EWP features are the difference between being able to quote a job and having to turn it down because access is too difficult.
The Socage Raptor Range and Arborists
What options do arborists in Australia have when it comes to the Socage Raptors? At Altequip, we stock four Raptor models that would all be adaptable to tree work. All four come standard with automatic stabilisation, automatic closing and a multifunction remote control. Let’s take a look at their specs:
- 18m working height
- 8.2m lateral outreach
- 230kg basket capacity
- 2.5 tonne GVW
- Bi-energy (diesel + 240V electric)
- Lightest in the range, straightforward to tow and position on residential sites
- 20.8m working height
- 10.3m lateral outreach
- 230kg basket capacity
- 2.6 tonne GVW
- Bi-energy (diesel + 230V electric)
- Similar footprint to the 18S with a useful step up in height and outreach
- 23.8m working height
- 11m lateral outreach
- 230kg basket capacity
- 2.6 tonne GVW
- Extendable basket
- Optional Raptor Stab Kit for better clearance on steeper slopes
- 35m working height
- 21m lateral outreach
- 300kg basket capacity
- 5 tonne GVW
- Negative reach down to 11m
- Built for larger trees, commercial sites, and council contracts
Matching the Machine to Your Work
If most of your work is residential pruning and removal in tight suburban blocks, the 18S or 21S will handle the bulk of it. They’re the most practical to move between jobs, quick to set up, and well priced for businesses getting started with ownership.
The 24S makes sense if you’re regularly working on taller trees or sloped sites where extra clearance pays off. It covers residential work comfortably while giving you more reach when you need it.
The 35S is for arborists targeting larger commercial work or council tree management contracts. The outreach alone opens up jobs that a smaller spider lift can’t safely touch. If that’s the direction your business is heading, book in a demo of the 35S with the Altequip team.
The Advantage of Knowing Your Machine
When you own your EWP and use it daily, something shifts. Setup gets faster. You know how the stabilisers behave on a particular type of ground. You know your outreach limits without having to think about them.
That familiarity is worth something on site. It reduces setup time, improves your positioning decisions, and makes the work safer over time.
When you buy a Raptor through Altequip, you get a full in-person handover and operator training on delivery. The goal is that you and your crew leave confident with the machine from day one.
Support After the Sale
An EWP used daily needs to be serviced properly. Altequip’s Brisbane-based team handles inspections, maintenance, and repairs for the full Raptor range using genuine Socage parts. Our technicians are factory trained in Italy, and we have a direct line to the same factory or technical support and spares.
Whether you’re running one machine or building a fleet, the service relationship is extremely important. You can read more about what’s involved on the EWP servicing page.
Talk to Altequip About the Right Raptor for Your Work
The right model depends on the jobs you’re quoting and the direction you’re growing. As the official Socage agent for Australia and New Zealand, Altequip knows this range inside out. Every machine is backed by in-person handover, operator training, and ongoing service support from the Brisbane team, wherever you are in Australia.
If you want to talk through which Raptor suits your operation, get in touch with our team at Altequip. We’re always happy to have a straightforward conversation about what works for your business and how we can help you.
Images in this article courtesy of our customers Ryder Tree Services
