MChS employees tested unique special equipment developed at a Vitebsk enterprise

"Vitebsk Elevators" Engineering Company has mastered the production of unique special fire fighting equipment. Today, an auto hydraulic lift with impressive load-lifting characteristics at minimal dimensions has successfully passed tests. The tests were conducted by employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations Institute at a training ground near Borisov.

The APK-30 VIPO was made by order of the Council of Ministers: two years ago, the enterprise undertook the development of an auto hydraulic lift project, which had not been produced in Belarus before. As a result, the small dimensions of the machine allow it to be used in confined spaces – in courtyards, on narrow streets.

"We were the first to respond, and the only ones who succeeded. Based on our auto hydraulic lift with a height of 32 m, we developed a new modernized version, equipping it with specialized equipment necessary for firefighting," explained the director of the enterprise, Andrey Sidorov.

Patent testing is currently underway. "Our lift meets the main requirements. There were recommendations for improvement, and we are currently working on them. In general, we have all the permits to start mass production of the machine in the near future," the interlocutor noted.

By mastering the production of special fire fighting equipment, the enterprise solves two tasks: "This is both import substitution and export orientation. There is interest in these machines in Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine."

The novelty has a small imported component: 21%. "For special equipment, this is a minimal share. We used MAZ chassis, our own developments, which means high added value. As a result, the vehicle turned out to be cheaper: twice as cheap as Russian and three times as cheap as imported analogues," the interlocutor noted. The enterprise can produce two vehicles per month.

The machine-building company "Vitebsk Elevators" traces its history back to 2004. Here, they have mastered virtually the entire range of lifting equipment, producing over 50 different models, most of which are patented. Annually, the enterprise introduces 3-5 models of special equipment into production. The share of exports is about 84% of production volumes, with 70% of these being supplies to Russia. Vitebsk Elevators are also operated in Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Baltic countries, and others.

Alena Tikhonova, BELTA.