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The Socage Raptor range has a new branch to its family – telescopic spider lifts. The 12ST, 15STE and 18ST are new to the global market and available for order in Australia through Altequip. A fourth new model, the 30S, is coming soon.
The telescopic lifts fall under the Raptor S badge, but they solve a specific set of access problems the articulating models aren’t able to. Let’s learn a bit more about these machines and who they would be a good fit for in Australia.
Articulating vs Telescopic Spider Lifts
The Raptor S-series (the 18S, 21S, 24S and 35S, also available through Altequip) use an articulating boom. That means the arm bends at multiple points, which lets the platform reach up and over obstacles to get the basket where you need it. It’s a versatile and popular design that you’ll find hard at work in the Australian arboriculture, construction and maintenance industries.
The new ST and STE models use a telescopic boom. The arm extends outward in a straight line rather than folding around obstacles. This allows for excellent horizontal outreach, particularly from relatively small machines. For example, the 12ST weighs just two tonnes but can reach 8.3 metres, while the 15STE hits 10.7 metres at the same weight. Both machines can be towed on a standard trailer.
There’s no better design here – it’s two different machines suited to different jobs. Altequip will talk you through which one is best for your fleet.
Three Models in the Raptor Telescopic Spider Lifts Range
Let’s take a look at the three telescopic spider lift models currently available through Altequip.
Raptor 12ST
The 12ST is the entry point to the telescopic range. It reaches a working height of 12.2 metres with a maximum lateral outreach of 8.3 metres, and the 230kg basket capacity handles two operators and their equipment. At 2.0 tonnes GVW, it’s light enough to move between sites without a heavy haulage setup.
Bi-energy power means you have a diesel engine with electric plug-in capability. This covers both outdoor sites and environments where you need to cut engine noise or emissions during the working day.
This is a machine for smaller footprint work: residential maintenance, urban access, gardens and installations where larger equipment won’t fit.
Raptor 15STE
The 15STE is the fully electric model in the range, powered by a 44V lithium battery pack. Referred to by Socage as their ‘electric cherry picker’, it reaches 14.9 metres working height and 10.7 metres of lateral outreach, with a 230kg basket capacity and a 2.0 tonne GVW.
The electric powertrain suits it to indoor facilities work, noise-sensitive sites and environments with diesel fume restrictions. With white non-marking tracks as standard, it’s perfect for sites where combustion-powered machines aren’t suited.
If you’re wondering about the battery, 15 work cycles are supported per charge. A full charge takes 8 hours; 60% is reached in 4 hours.
Raptor 18ST
The 18ST sits at the top of the telescopic spider lifts sub-range with a working height of 17.8 metres and 8.5 metres of lateral outreach. Basket capacity is 230kg, and GVW steps up slightly to 2.2 tonnes.
Like the 12ST, it runs on bi-energy: diesel with electric plug-in. The extra height makes it well-suited to larger commercial structures: multi-storey building facades, signage installations and maintenance work.
Standard Features on Every Model
All three telescopic Raptors share the same standard specification across the board:
- Automatic stabilisation and automatic closing
- Hydraulically extendable tracks
- White non-marking tracks
- Turret rotation 190°+190°
- Basket rotation 60°+60°
- Manual emergency hand pump
- Auxiliary electric pump (230V/50Hz)
- Socage Connect remote diagnostics
- Multifunction radio control
- LED safety and travel lighting
- High-tensile steel boom profiles
- Pre-installation for Raptor Stab kit
Who Should Be Looking at a Telescopic Spider Lift?
The straight-boom design earns its place wherever you need clean horizontal reach in a lightweight, tracked package.
This could include:
- Signage installers working on building facades who need strong outreach without the machine footprint of a larger boom lift.
- Building services and facilities management teams find the compact transport dimensions and trailer-towable weight practical for multi-site work.
- Urban construction and maintenance contractors looking for tracked mobility on uneven ground and a platform that sets up fast.
For any site that restricts diesel equipment (this could include food production facilities, hospitals, shopping centres or enclosed warehouses) the fully electric 15STE removes the access barrier. It’s a powerful addition to any fleet.
Order Your Telescopic Lift Through Altequip
Altequip is Australia’s exclusive Socage distributor. If you have any questions about the Raptor 12ST, 15STE and 18ST, our team is here to answer them for you. When you purchase a spider lift through us, you can expect in-person handover, operator training and ongoing nationwide support.
We can get a machine to you wherever you are in Australia, and our team of Socage factory-trained mechanics will help keep it in mint condition during its working life.
Let’s have a chat about your EWP requirements and figure out the right machine for you. Get in touch here or ring us on 1800 762 243.
