Due to Edinburgh airport’s location it is often subject to harsh winters, highlighted by the 13 snow events it recorded in the 2012/2013 winter period. In spite of this, Airside Operations Delivery Manager Scott Watson and his team avoided any closures, but have since replaced old tractor-based winter kit with two Multihog multi-purpose tractors which provide fast and efficient head of stand clearance. “Staying open is a matter of pride, to say nothing of the costs that closures entail – a six hour shut down can cost around half a million pounds” said Scott. “There is also more pressure from airlines as well as a government focus on efficient operation in bad weather, which is why we decided to look at new products. After our own in-depth investigation and speaking to industry contacts we came to the conclusion that there was nothing to match the Multihog in terms of versatility, performance and living up to its promise.”
The combi snow plough & brush units fitted to Edinburgh’s two machines guarantee thorough initial snow clearance and final sweep, and Scott is particularly impressed by their powerful brush performance. The de-icer tanks on the rear are coupled with hand lances, which are particularly effective for fast de-icing of passenger walkways and steps. The CANBUS systems on the de-icers regulate the quantity and spread of the de-icing fluid, reducing waste and the impact on the environment whilst increasing cost savings. A flail mower also allows the Multihog to be utilised outside the winter months, mowing grass areas around the airport.
“This multi-purpose ability is a sound argument with the finance department; machines designed for very specific jobs end up being used for just a few months of the year whereas we can count on daily use of our Multihogs, and their 4 wheel drive also means we can use them on terrain that is problematic for other vehicles,” says Scott.
“We are often the first to get cold fronts from Scandinavia and need to be on constant alert to the requirement for de-icing. But with the best will in the world and an excellent team, we can only be effective with the right equipment,” explains Scott. “We are now in a position to react very quickly and thanks to the Multihogs’ in-cab comfort and visibility our drivers are more than happy to get them out there to keep things clear and moving.”
“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"
"The Multihog is a different animal from anything we’ve ever had – the articulation, rubberised tyres and 4-wheel drive ticks a lot of our boxes."
“We try to improve our operations with each new purchase of equipment & this has certainly been the case with the acquisition of our Multihogs"
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