London City Airport is ready for winter, operating four Multihog tractors in their airport equipment fleet. Delivered by UK dealer Multevo, and fitted with a range of winter attachments, the four units ensure that the airport is prepared for harsh airside conditions during the colder season.
According to Alex Imlach, Head of Aerodrome Operations at the airport, the Multihogs are crucial in ensuring passengers have a pleasant experience: “We are investing in the future of London City Airport, but that isn’t just about bricks and mortar, it’s about being able to provide an excellent airport experience for all of our customers. People need to get to where they are going with as little disruption as possible and we as an airport want to make that happen.”
Having seen a 42% increase in passenger numbers over the past five years, it’s no surprise that the airport is currently undertaking a £500m development programme. A new terminal, new aircraft stands and a parallel taxiway are all under construction in order to maintain the high level of passenger service which the award-winning airport is known for.
Providing this first-class airport experience for 5 million passengers is no easy feat, but it is one which is very important to the airport, as Alex explains: “Preparing for winter and investing in the right equipment to aid us during poor weather conditions is crucial for London City Airport. Multevo’s Multihog range fits these criteria – helping us clear snow and ice and easily manoeuvre around parked aircraft and the airfield thanks to their compact size.”
Four Multihog multi-purpose tractors with the patented combi snow plough and brush combination mounted on the front join the airport equipment fleet. The plough carries out a ‘first run’ to clear heavier snow, switching to the brush for a spotless finish. A 1200 litre de-icer is mounted on the rear of the Multihog, programmed using CAN bus software to spray only the required amount of de-icing fluid, regardless of the speed the operator drives at.
Alex is impressed with the Multihog’s performance so far: “The Multihogs are working really well for us. The operators have found them straightforward to use and we hope to add to our current attachments in the future to really maximise the multi-purpose quality of the machine. Multevo has been professional to deal with from start to finish and we look forward to continuing our relationship with them.”
Multevo is the UK dealer for Multihog products and have provided multi-purpose tractors to several airports in the region, including Heathrow, Gatwick and Edinburgh, to name but a few. Nick Carter, director at Multevo, is delighted with the London City airport delivery: “We know that London City Airport are forward thinking, their expansion plans confirm just how ambitious they are. Multevo is excited to play a part in creating a better more efficient experience for passengers and we are thrilled that the Multihogs are providing them with the winter weather support they need.”
"Honestly, we love these machines. We work these machines to the bone, and we’ve had very little down time."
"Before the purchase, we looked at other products which compete with Multihog, but its quality and comfort is certainly better."
“My operators love the Multihog. Even the bigger operators tell me how much more comfortable it is."
"We’re cleaning the streets more efficiently, so that is definitely an environmental benefit for our city."
"The Multihogs were ideal for us. As they’re much lighter than our old machines, we can use them to remove snow from our boardwalks and sidewalks."
"The driving experience absolutely convinced me. I love driving it, the suspension is amazing. To be honest, the comfort level could not be better."
I knew it must be a really good piece of equipment, and my instincts were right - our two machines have been operating flawlessly.
“Since the purchase of our first Multihog in 2019, they have proven to be a valuable asset in our machinery fleet."
"I recognized straight away that a Multihog could serve our city well. We’ve got 8 attachments for it, and it’s taken the place of multiple machines."
"Apart from the environmental benefits, it’s also really, really comfortable to drive and I'm relieved that it has improved our operational safety."
“Our cycle paths are very neat in just one sweep/working passage. This ensures the safety of our residents, especially during autumn and winter."
“From a maintenance standpoint we have far fewer problems and downtime than other similar equipment in our fleet."
“Our MH outperforms our older snow blower by at least 200%. It can handle all types of snow with a greater output and much faster.”
"The suspension really allows an incredibly high level of driver comfort, and we’re amazed by the performance of the PTO hydraulics."
"The Multihog has performed very well on the reliability front compared to other machines. It’s a really solid and extremely strong machine."
"My colleagues are so much happier using this machine. It’s more ergonomic, warm and comfortable for them."
"Our 2 machines can do so many things, and although they’re small and compact, they’re so well built that they do the work of much larger equipment"
"The Multihog puts us at a professional level that’s unmatched by our competition"
"The Multihogs are working really well for us. The operators have found them straightforward to use and we hope to add to our range of attachments."
"The Multihog doesn’t vibrate like our old machine, and it’s so quiet I don’t even need to wear ear protection - no post-shift fatigue anymore!"
DHL at Leipzig-Halle airport operate a fleet of 12 Multihog tractors equipped with combi snow plough & brush attachments, de-icing sprayers and V snow
"It’s one machine that does it all - safely and efficiently. Very comfortable in the cabin too, which makes work more enjoyable for the operator."
"The only way to compare the Multihog to other machines is to compare the comfort of an old vintage car to a brand new car. - there is no comparison"
"At that point the snow is super dense, icy and solid; it’s pretty hard to shift, but it’s no problem for the MX. This tractor is really, really good"
"Our asphalt grinding process is faster and more efficient now, we tested it and we’re definitely covering more feet per hour than before"
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