<span style="font-weight: bold;">Australian Pump has modified its Ultra range to bring it into the A-Class category for meeting the operator safety rules. </span><p></p><p> Australian Pump Industries has had to lift production of their 4,000 psi A-Class pressure cleaners to meet the increased demand of contractors, councils and tradies. Professionals using high pressure water blasting equipment are now looking for machines with the maximum capability but that fall into A-Class operator safety rules. </p><p>The new safety standards (AS/NZS 4322.1) apply to all users of high pressure cleaners. Machines are categorised according to their performance levels. A-class machines fall under 5,600 bar/litre per minute. That means machines that have performance levels in excess of 4,000 psi and more than 20 lpm (21 or 22 lpm) fall outside that range and move into B-Class. </p><p>It is mandatory that operators of B-Class machines are formally certified by trainers operating under the auspices of a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). 'The realisation that the world has changed with the new safety standards is still sinking in,' said John Hales, Chief Engineer, Aussie Pumps. </p><p>Australian Pump's Ultra, 4,000 psi 20 lpm machine, falls into the A-Class. This heavy-duty machine is part of Aussie's registered award-winning 'Scud' design. Aussie's Scud series delivers better results and offers users OHS advantages not found in other units. For example, the Scud design has virtually no 'sharps' and its ergonomics allow easy movement on site. 'The weight distribution and four big 13' steel wheels with flat-free tyres make the blaster extremely manoeuvrable,' said Hales. </p><p>The Ultra packs real whack and when used with an Aussie heavy-duty turbolance delivers a whopping pressure rating of 6,800 psi! That turbo rating does not impact on the classification of the machine, which is always rated based on its pump bar/litre per minute rating, not the impact or effectiveness of the work being carried out. </p><p>The big machine is powered by a Honda GX630 23HP heavy-duty electric start twin-cylinder engine and features a 'Big Berty' Bertolini triplex pump with a slow speed pump and a gearbox drive. The company chose to use Honda engines because of their excellent market reputation, not only in Australia but worldwide, their service support network and their famous ease of starting. 'Honda engines start the first time every time,' said Hales. </p><p>The Aussie Ultra is widely used by professional jet-wash contractors doing jobs as varied as property maintenance, brick cleaning, or roof restorations. </p><p>Machines are also used by councils who like the efficiency and ease of operations. Other customer groups include professionals running big plant and earthmoving contractors needing to wash-down equipment. Australian Pump was fast to respond to the new standards by modifying the Ultra to bring it into the A-Class category. 'The A-Series machine is completely compliant with the new standards but doesn't require the operator to be certified,' said Hales. 'Our A-Class training programme is available free of charge for operators of all machines in the A-Class category,' he said. </p><p>'Our efforts in this direction are all part of our 'Safe Operator' programme,' said Hales. 'Our slogan of 'Faster, Smarter, Safer' is not just empty words but a mantra by which the company operates. It drives our advanced, innovative designs and reinforces a clear understanding that we are out to cut times, improve efficiency and reduce operating costs. We expect the market to continue to embrace the new Ultra 'A' model and to come with us on a journey of helping to make users safer and more efficient,' he said. </p><p></p>