The Parks Department of the City of Frankfurt am Main is convinced of the RUTHMANN Hybrid STEIGERN® and is now the proud owner of four RUTHMANNSTEIGER® TBR 260 HV 5-Hybrid.
The parks department of the city of Frankfurt am Main tells us about their daily work and experiences with the almost noiseless Hybrid STEIGERN®.
1. 
What makes the RUTHMANN-STEIGER TBR 260 HV5 Hybrid so interesting for you?
"By working in battery mode, the employees are not exposed to exhaust fumes. This also means that passers-by are taken into account and there are fewer complaints.
The aerial work platform is more suitable for carrying out maintenance work in the treetop because of the cage arm (trunk), as the positions in the tree can be controlled more easily."
2. Why did you decide to purchase several units at once and order more after only a short time?
"The additional purchase was made due to the positive experience with the first Hybrid Steiger and to reduce the annual rental costs incurred up to that point in all 4 districts of the city. For the plannable tree maintenance work, but also especially for the immediate measures (e.g. storm events) for road safety, a tree climber must be permanently available in each tree maintenance crew. Standardisation of vehicles and machines facilitates the procurement process and contributes to the reduction of maintenance and repair costs."
3. Where are these models increasingly/preferentially used?
"The Frankfurt am Main Parks Department maintains more than 230,000 trees throughout the city (excluding the forestry sector), which are distributed in parks and green spaces, cemeteries and also in the street area."
4. How long can one battery power be used in practice?
"According to our experience, several days are possible, as the battery has never been drained in one working day, based on the standard working time of 8 hours/day. The battery is charged at the end of the working day via the normal 230V household connection until the beginning of the following working day."
5. Are there any applications where a "combustion engine" is not allowed to use a working platform for a longer period of time?
"This does not happen in our area of operation, as we do not work in ex-protected zones or indoors."
6. Does this give you a competitive advantage / unique selling proposition when awarding contracts?
"This is not relevant for us, as we as the Parks Department do not offer our services on the free market, but only carry out municipal contracts. In addition, we always act as a client for external service providers."
7. What were the internal and, if applicable, political reasons that led to this procurement?
"In its procurement processes, the City of Frankfurt is paying increasing attention to alternative drive concepts that contribute to reducing emissions. Due to climate change and increased environmental awareness, the municipal institutions have been striving for some time to be role models and pioneers in the conversion of the vehicle, machine and equipment fleet."
8. How important is the RUTHMANN service for you?
"Very important, as we carry out traffic safety measures (traffic safety obligation of municipal trees) and also have to be ready for action at all times in case of emergencies/emergency measures (storm, unexpected branch breakage or tree falls, etc.), so the equipment has to be functional at all times. The nearby service station in Groß-Gerau plays a major role in this."
9. Why is RUTHMANN the right partner for you in this field?
"In the course of a Europe-wide tendering procedure in 2019, Ruthmann turned out to be the most economical and the only supplier of the requested hybrid technology. In addition, the Parks Department has already had some positive experience with the technology and in working with Ruthmann in recent years."
10. What is the reaction of the public / citizens to the hybrid drive, especially in noise and exhaust-sensitive areas such as: Parks, residential areas or near hospitals or old people's homes?
"The verbal and written reactions are consistently positive."
11. How do the arborists and also the "ground staff" feel about working with the climber in a healthy environment without noise and exhaust fumes?
"Our arborists are very satisfied with the equipment and positively surprised by the technology. They are happy about the improved and healthier working environment."
12. For what reasons would you recommend Ruthmann hybrid technology to other parks authorities?
"To improve the working environment for our arborists and to reduce noise and exhaust emissions for ecological and health reasons."
13. How is the cooperation and support on the part of Ruthmann?
"The cooperation so far has been very constructive and service-oriented."
We have aroused your interest in an environmentally friendly STEIGER® for the future?