Alto MD 250 User manual

ALTO MEDIUM DUTY
MD 250 SINGLE WIDTH TOWER
Mobile Aluminium Access Tower
ISSUE 1
Instruction Manual EN 1298-IM-EN
The ALTO MD 250 Tower is certied to BS EN 1004:2004
3T - Through The Trapdoor Method
Lakeside Industries Ltd
www.altoaccess.com
[email protected]

Page 2ALTO MD 250 Single Width Tower |Assembly Guide
Introduction
Please read these instructions carefully and ensure that you fully understand all of the information
contained herein. All of the information in this document is vital for the safe utilisation of your Alto MD
250 Tower.
All Alto Access products are professional quality engineered equipment designed primarily with safety
in mind and meet or exceed all standards, recommendations and guidelines. Used properly, Alto access
equipment will keep you safe when working at height.
This manual contains all of the information necessary to correctly assemble your Alto MD 250 mobile
access tower and incorporates all of the requirements of the PASMA 3T method of assembly as endorsed
by the HSE.
This manual should be used in conjunction with your Risk Assessment and Method Statement and in
line with the Work at Height Regulations 2005 which place an obligation on employers to eliminate or
minimise risks. This manual must be made available to the user/assembler at all pertinent times.
Only competent and qualified personnel should undertake erection, dismantling or alteration, organisation,
planning or supervision of mobile access towers. In the case of any doubt, sufficient relevant additional
training must be given beforehand to ensure safe use. For further information on the use of mobile
access towers consult PASMA (www.pasma.co.uk; Tel [phone]). For any additional technical
information or specific advice please contact the manufacturer Lakeside Industries Limited Tel: +44 1527
500577 or Email: [email protected].
Certifications
The Alto MD 250 Tower is a mobile access tower certified to EN 1004 Class 3. If the application is outside
the scope of EN 1004, reference should be made to EN 1139 to ensure that the configuration of the
equipment meets the relevant requirements. This tower is manufactured in our ISO 9001 accredited
facility. This manual complies with EN 1298-IM-EN.
Maximum Safe Working Loads
The safe working load of the tower is 2,000kg including its own weight. The maximum safe working load
of any individual platform is 282 kg evenly distributed. If the tower is to be used in an application outside
the scope of EN1004, contact your supplier or the manufacturer, Lakeside Industries Limited, for advice
on loadings. Tel: [phone] or Email: [email protected].

Page 3ALTO Access Products |Lakeside Industries Ltd
Inspection Care & Maintenance
Alto Access equipment is designed and manufactured to the highest standards in the industry and is
stronger, more robust and safer than any comparable competitor product. Properly cared for, it will give
a long and productive service life.
· The equipment should be inspected and maintained as outlined in the “ALTO MD Tower Inspection
Procedures”. A free downloadable copy is available at www.altoaccess.com/downloads.
· Equipment should always be inspected before and after each use.
· Whilst Alto Access equipment is extremely robust, care should be exercised in loading, transporting
and handling components to avoid damage or injury to either the equipment or persons.
· Repairs should only be carried out by Lakeside Industries Limited or their authorised repairers.
· In case of any doubt as to the integrity of any items of Alto Access equipment, the part should be
withdrawn from use, quarantined and subject to detailed examination to determine whether repair
or replacement is required. If returned to the factory, Lakeside Industries Limited will provide a free
of charge evaluation of any damaged components.
Safety
Check that all of the necessary components and equipment for the particular tower configuration to be
built are on site, undamaged and functioning correctly. Damaged or incorrect components must not be
used.
· Check that the surface on which the tower is to be located is capable of supporting the tower and its
payload.
· The safe working load of the tower is 2,000kg including its own weight. The maximum safe working
load of any individual platform is 282 kg evenly distributed.
· If the tower is to be used in an application outside the scope of EN1004, contact your supplier or the
manufacturer, Lakeside Industries Limited, for advice on loadings. Tel: [phone] or Email:
[email protected].
· Towers must always be climbed from the inside only. If the work carried out from the tower requires
frequent carrying of equipment and materials up or down the tower, an Alto stair tower should be
used in preference to a ladderspan tower.
· The tower must be levelled when erected using the adjustable jack or castor legs.
· Two or more persons are required for the safe erection and dismantling of a tower.
· It is recommended that the tower be tied in when left unattended.

Page 4ALTO MD 250 Single Width Tower |Assembly Guide
· Always comply with the Work at Height Regulations 2005 when erecting, dismantling & using the
tower.
· When lifting components, always use reliable lifting equipment and fastening methods and always lift
from within the footprint of the tower structure to prevent risk of the tower overturning.
· See “Moving the Tower” below for safety guidelines affecting the relocation of the tower.
· Beware live electrical installations, cables, moving machinery or other obstructions when erecting,
dismantling or using the tower. The tower is a conductive metallic structure.
· The maximum safe lateral force for a freestanding Alto Medium Duty tower is 30kg.
· Do not use boxes, ladders or other items to gain additional height.
· Do not stand on guard rails for any reason.
· If the tower is to be used in connection with hoisting arrangements, this is outside the scope of
EN1004 and requires specific advice from the manufacturer to ensure safety.
· Contact the manufacturer Lakeside Industries Limited for advice on loadings Tel: [phone] or
Email: [email protected].
· Fit guard rails to all Platforms.
· Fit toe boards to all working platforms.
· Intermediate (rest) platforms are installed every 2m.
· The tower is not designed to be sheeted. Sheeting massively increases wind loads on the structure.
If sheeting is to be attached, contact the manufacturer Lakeside Industries Limited for advice on
loadings Tel: [phone] or Email: [email protected].
· The tower is not designed to be lifted or suspended.
· Every erected tower must be inspected at least every seven days and any tower which has been left
unattended should be inspected before use to ensure that:
1 no components have been removed or relocated incorrectly;
2 the tower is still vertical; and
3 no environmental or other factors have arisen which will influence safe use of the tower.
· Unattended towers should be tied in to a rigid structure.
· Stabilisers or outriggers and ballast shall always be fitted when specified.
· Where there is insufficient clearance to fit the specified stabilisers, contact your supplier or the
manufacturer for specific advice. Where ballast or kentledge is used, it must be of solid material,
placed on a platform on the lowest rung of the tower and secured against unauthorised removal.

Page 5ALTO Access Products |Lakeside Industries Ltd
Wind Speeds
Persons using or responsible for towers must beware of the effect of wind on the structure. Wherever
possible, as a precaution, it is advisable to tie the tower in to a rigid structure if it is to be used where it is
exposed to potential windy conditions. Users should beware the potential tunnelling effect of open ended
or unclad buildings and narrow openings between buildings. We recommend that the use of the tower is
discontinued in conditions where the wind speed is above 17mph (force 4).
WIND
DESCRIPTION
BEAUFORT
SCALE
AVERAGE
SPEED INFORMATION
Medium Breeze 4 13-17 mph Safe to work on tower.
Strong Breeze 6 25-31 mph Tie the tower to a solid structure. Do not work on tower.
Gale Force 8 39-46 mph Towers must be dismantled. Towers must not be assembled.
Erecting & Dismantling the Tower
All Alto towers must be built and dismantled in accordance with the step by step instructions in the
following pages corresponding to the particular tower configuration involved and having regard to the
working at height regulations and Health & Safety legislation.
Moving the Tower
Before moving the tower, its overall height should be reduced to 4m working platform height or less. No
persons, tools, equipment or materials shall be permitted to remain on the tower when it is being moved.
The tower should only be moved by pushing it by the lowest frames.
When moving the tower, users are to be particularly careful of the following:
· Obstructions, moving machinery or electrical cables and equipment
· not to move the tower in wind speeds of 18mph (force 5) or above
· the effect of rough, uneven or sloping ground on the stability of the tower
· locking and unlocking the castors to allow and prevent the tower moving at appropriate times
· after completing the movement, use a spirit level to ensure that the tower is vertical and safely
supported on an appropriate surface
· after completing the movement check that the tower is correct and complete.

Page 6ALTO MD 250 Single Width Tower |Assembly Guide
Frames
Braces
Stabilisers
1.6m SW
3100mm (upto 7.5m)
4100mm (7.5m & above)
3100mm (upto 7.5m)
4100mm (7.5m & above)
2.4m SW
3350mm (upto 7.5m)
4350mm (7.5m & above)
3350mm (upto 7.5m)
4350mm (7.5m & above)
Diagonal braces must always be located
with the claw opening facing down.
Horizontal braces must be located with
the claw facing either down (on the rung)
or outwards (if on the upright).
All braces are fitted with spring loaded
pins that automatically lock the brace
into position when attached to a tower.
Brace hooks must be located either over
the rung screw heads, between 2 screw
heads or between the frame upright and a
screw head to prevent lateral movement.
Frames must always be assembled with
the offset conical head fitting pointing
inwards towards the centre of the tower.
Stabilisers should always be attached to
the tower so as to maximise the base area
of the tower structure. Set the stabilisers
so they form a square around the tower
as per the diagram below. The correct
size stabilisers must always be used - see
component schedule for details.

Page 7ALTO Access Products |Lakeside Industries Ltd
3T Method Explained
The “3T” or “through the trapdoor” method is one of the two permitted ways of assembling a tower
without the assembler being at risk of falling. This tower is a 3T tower.
Tying In
Towers must be tied into a suitable rigid structure once they go beyond the freestanding working heights
specified in EN 1004 2004 - 8m working platform height outdoors and 12m working platform height
indoors - or if the tower is unstable or is in danger of being unstable.
Standard scaffold tubes and fittings can be used with the Alto Access products. Ties should be spaced at
no more than 4m intervals. Ties must be rigid and be secured to both frame uprights. For further details
regarding tying in, please contact your supplier or the manufacturer: Lakeside Industries Limited.
Step 1:
As each new level of platform is installed, the operative
takes up a working position in the trap door of the
platform, standing on the ladder and leaning back
against the edge of the trapdoor aperture.
Step 2:
From this position the operative fits the horizontal
braces 500mm and 1000 mm above the platform level
(i.e. on the first and second available rungs). If the far
end of the guardrail braces don’t fully engage when they
are put in place, the operative fully engages it when first
climbing up onto the platform. This process ensures
that operatives never have to stand on an unguarded
platform.

Page 8ALTO MD 250 Single Width Tower |Assembly Guide
COMPONENT SCHEDULE
1.6m Long x 0.8m Wide (Single Width) MD 250 Tower
MD 250 SINGLE WIDTH SPAN TOWER TO BS EN 1004:2004
Using the 3T (Through The Trapdoor) assembly method
PLATFORM WORKING HEIGHT (m)
INTERNAL & EXTERNAL USE INTERNAL USE ONLY
CODE PART DESCRIPTION 2.2 2.7 3.2 3.7 4.2 4.7 5.2 5.7 6.2 6.7 7.2 7.7 8.2 8.7 9.2 9.7 10.2 10.7 11.2 11.7 12.2
2239 125mm Dia. Castor Wheel 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3076 MD Adj. Leg (black collar) 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3036 MD 1.6m S/W Toeboard 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3105 MD 250 S/W 8 Rung Frame 2 2 4 2 4 4 6 4 6 6 8 6 8 8 10 8 10 10 12 10 12 3107 MD 250 S/W 6 Rung Frame 2222222222 3108 MD 250 S/W 4 Rung Frame 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3015 MD 1.6m Horizontal Brace (blue) 6 8 10 10 10 12 14 14 14 16 18 18 18 20 22 22 22 24 26 26 26 3016 MD 1.6m Diagonal Brace (green) 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 3021 MD 1.6m Trap Platform 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 3023 MD Small Stabiliser 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3024 MD Large Stabiliser 4444444444
TOTAL SELF WEIGHT OF TOWER (kg) 99 120 128 135 139 147 167 175 179 186 209 222 228 236 256 264 268 275 296 303 307
MAX No. WORKING LEVELS 122222333344445555666
BUILD METHOD A B C D A B C D A B C D A B C D A B C D A

Page 9ALTO Access Products |Lakeside Industries Ltd
COMPONENT SCHEDULE
2.4m Long x 0.8m Wide (Single Width) MD 250 Tower
MD 250 SINGLE WIDTH SPAN TOWER TO BS EN 1004:2004
Using the 3T (Through The Trapdoor) assembly method
PLATFORM WORKING HEIGHT (m)
INTERNAL & EXTERNAL USE INTERNAL USE ONLY
CODE PART DESCRIPTION 2.2 2.7 3.2 3.7 4.2 4.7 5.2 5.7 6.2 6.7 7.2 7.7 8.2 8.7 9.2 9.7 10.2 10.7 11.2 11.7 12.2
2239 125mm Dia. Castor Wheel 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3076 MD Adj. Leg (black collar) 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3037 MD 2.4m S/W Toeboard 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3105 MD 250 S/W 8 Rung Frame 2 2 4 2 4 4 6 4 6 6 8 6 8 8 10 8 10 10 12 10 12 3107 MD 250 S/W 6 Rung Frame 2222222222 3108 MD 250 S/W 4 Rung Frame 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3017 MD 2.4m Horizontal Brace (yellow) 6 8 10 10 10 12 14 14 14 16 18 18 18 20 22 22 22 24 26 26 26
3018 MD 2.4m Diagonal Brace (brown) 333444455566777888899 3022 MD 2.4m Trap Platform 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 3023 MD Small Stabiliser 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3024 MD Large Stabiliser 4444444444
TOTAL SELF WEIGHT OF TOWER (kg) 115 142 152 160 164 173 200 208 212 221 252 264 271 280 308 316 320 329 356 364 368
MAX No. WORKING LEVELS 122222333344445555555
BUILD METHOD A B C D A B C D A B C D A B C D A B C D A

Page 10 ALTO MD 250 Single Width Tower |Assembly Guide
Step 1
Insert the leg & castor assembly
into the base of the first two 8 rung
frames. When fully inserted, ensure
the spring loaded pin is engaged into
the hole in the side of the frames.
Ensure all 4 wheels have the brakes
applied.
Step 2
Connect 2 horizontal braces to the
uprights of the first frame in the
area above the bottom rung as
shown. Make sure that the braces
are connected from the inside of
the tower facing outwards. Make
sure that the frame head fittings are
pointing inwards into the tower.
Step 3
Connect the 2nd frame to the
horizontal braces in the same
position that they are located on
the first frames. Make sure that the
frame head fittings are pointing
inwards into the tower.
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS - All Platform Working Heights