For years, I’d carried a fairly negative opinion of CTE. That wasn’t entirely based on my own experiences either. Some of it came from old machines I’d owned, some from stories I’d heard, and some from opinions I’d picked up from others in the access industry before I’d properly given the modern machines a fair chance.
So when CTE invited me down to their Leicester depot and told me to spend a day putting their latest machines through their paces, I was intrigued—but I certainly wasn’t expecting to leave impressed.
If you’d rather watch everything unfold first, you can watch the full video here:
👉 https://youtu.be/g0_Pt3kmVA0
Then come back afterwards because I’ll expand on several points that simply don’t fit into the video.
Putting My Preconceptions to the Test
One thing I respected immediately was CTE’s approach.
There wasn’t a polished sales pitch.
There wasn’t somebody stood beside me reading specifications from a brochure.
Instead, Eddie George simply handed me the controls and said, “Crack on.”
As someone who earns a living using access platforms every day, that’s exactly how I want to judge a machine. Spec sheets are useful, but nothing tells you more than climbing into the basket and finding out how naturally everything works.
That alone immediately changed the tone of the day.
First Impressions of the CTE TRS240
Within minutes I was operating multiple boom movements simultaneously despite having absolutely no familiarisation with the machine beforehand. That’s usually a good sign that the controls have been designed by people who actually understand operators rather than engineers who never leave the office.
The CTE TRS240 is a 24-metre tracked spider lift designed for jobs where traditional truck-mounted or trailer-mounted platforms simply cannot reach.
For someone like me, who regularly carries out:
- roof repairs
- chimney repairs
- chimney repointing
- chimney flaunching
- roof surveys
- gutter cleaning
- gutter repairs
…that flexibility immediately caught my attention.
Many of my jobs involve awkward rear gardens, narrow alleyways or difficult commercial sites where cherry picker access becomes the deciding factor between completing the work efficiently or needing expensive scaffolding.
If you’d like to see how I use access equipment professionally on customer projects, you can also take a look at my Cherry Picker Hire service:
Outreach Isn’t Everything
Manufacturers love talking about maximum outreach.
Operators care about what they can actually do when they get there.
The TRS240 offers around 11 metres of outreach, but what impressed me most wasn’t the headline figure—it was understanding how the machine behaves throughout its working envelope.
At full stretch, the basket capacity reduces dramatically.
Pull the boom back by roughly one metre and suddenly you’ve almost tripled the available lifting capacity.
That’s the sort of information you only learn from actually using a machine.
It matters far more than simply quoting maximum reach because it determines whether you can comfortably carry tools, materials and yourself while carrying out chimney repairs or roof leak repairs.
Those are the practical details that never appear in glossy brochures.
Why This Matters for Roofing Work
People often assume access equipment is simply about getting higher.
In reality it’s about getting there safely, efficiently and with enough capacity to complete the work.
Whether I’m carrying out chimney maintenance, replacing lead flashings, undertaking roof repairs, or completing detailed roof surveys, the machine becomes part of the job itself.
Choosing the wrong access equipment can add hours to a project.
Choosing the right one can make the entire day run smoothly.
If you’re interested in the types of repairs I regularly undertake, you can find more information here:
Roof Repairs:
https://www.dji-uk.co.uk/roof-repairs
Chimney Maintenance & Repair:
https://www.dji-uk.co.uk/chimney-maintenance
A Surprise I Wasn’t Expecting
One feature genuinely caught me off guard.
Leg penetration.
Normally, because much of my work is carried out on reasonably level driveways and domestic gardens, it’s not something I spend much time thinking about.
Then I watched these outriggers continue extending…
…and extending…
…and extending.
The optional extensions allow the machine to achieve an astonishing amount of additional vertical setup capability while remaining incredibly simple to install.
They’re secured with a pin rather than bolts, meaning fitting or removing them only takes seconds.
For contractors working on uneven terrain or awkward commercial sites, that extra flexibility could prove invaluable.
Setting Up Directly From the Trailer
This may actually have been my favourite feature of the entire machine.
Rather than unloading the spider lift before setup, the TRS240 can be stabilised directly from the trailer in suitable situations.
That might sound like a small thing.
It isn’t.
Every time you avoid unloading, repositioning and tracking the machine into place, you’re saving time.
For a one-man business like mine, those small efficiencies add up over hundreds of jobs every year.
It’s exactly the sort of operator-focused thinking I appreciate.
Working Smarter at Height
Another clever feature is the ability to reposition and re-level the machine without leaving the basket.
Again, it sounds simple.
But if you’re working your way around a large commercial building carrying out gutter cleaning, gutter repairs, or multiple roof inspections, repeatedly climbing in and out of the basket wastes valuable time.
Being able to stay where you’re working speeds the whole process up considerably.
It’s features like these that demonstrate someone has genuinely thought about the person operating the machine rather than simply adding another bullet point to a sales brochure.
Roof Surveys Become Safer and Faster
Modern access equipment isn’t just about carrying out repairs.
Increasingly, I use machines like this for professional roof surveys and reports, allowing me to inspect roofs safely before recommending any remedial work.
That means customers receive accurate advice rather than guesswork.
If you’d like to learn more about that service, have a look here:
Roof Surveys & Reports:
https://www.dji-uk-uk.co.uk/roof-surveys
Or, if you’d prefer to see the machine in action before continuing with this article, watch the full review here:
👉 https://youtu.be/g0_Pt3kmVA0
The Controls Are Clearly Designed by Operators
One of the biggest compliments I can pay the CTE TRS240 is that I barely had to think about the controls.
Within a couple of minutes I was comfortably carrying out multiple boom functions simultaneously. That’s something that normally takes far longer when climbing onto an unfamiliar machine, yet the layout felt intuitive almost immediately.
When you’re spending ten or twelve hours a day operating a spider lift, little things like that make an enormous difference.
A machine should become an extension of the operator—not something you’re constantly fighting against.
CTE seem to have understood that.
Designed Around Real-World Workflow
One feature that genuinely impressed me was being able to reposition the machine and re-level it from inside the basket.
Now, if you’re only hiring a machine once every few months, that might not sound particularly exciting.
If you’re operating one every single day, it’s brilliant.
Think about clearing gutters around a large industrial unit.
Normally you’d:
- Come down.
- Climb out.
- Retract the outriggers.
- Reposition the machine.
- Set up again.
- Climb back into the basket.
With the TRS240, much of that can be done without leaving the basket at all.
That isn’t just convenient.
It’s less climbing.
Less wasted movement.
Less fatigue.
More productive time actually carrying out the work.
For somebody running a one-man roofing and access business, those small improvements quickly add up over the course of a year.
Built for Tight Access Jobs
Many of my customers call because scaffolding simply isn’t practical.
Sometimes there are conservatories.
Sometimes there are narrow passageways.
Sometimes the only route into the rear garden is through a standard side gate.
This is where tracked spider lifts earn their keep.
The TRS240 retracts down to around 800mm wide, allowing access through many domestic gateways before expanding back out once in position.
That’s exactly the type of access I rely on when carrying out:
- chimney repairs
- roof leak repairs
- chimney repointing
- chimney flaunching
- bird mesh installation
- gutter cleaning
without the cost and disruption of erecting scaffolding.
If you’d like to see how I protect solar panels from nesting pigeons, you can find out more about my bird mesh installation service here:
Return-to-Home Is a Useful Safety Feature
Almost every modern spider lift now includes some form of automatic return-to-home system.
CTE’s implementation is simple.
Press the button and the machine safely retracts itself back towards its transport position.
What I particularly liked was that CTE haven’t tried to make the machine think for you.
The operator still remains responsible.
It isn’t trying to replace experience.
It’s simply making life a little easier.
Personally, I prefer that approach.
Bigger Isn’t Always Better… Unless You Don’t Pay the Penalty
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the entire review came when I started comparing the TRS240 against other machines I’d previously tested.
Normally, when you gain several metres of working height, you also gain:
- extra weight
- a larger footprint
- reduced manoeuvrability
- more transport headaches
The TRS240 largely avoids those compromises.
CTE have effectively taken the same chassis as their smaller machine and engineered an additional boom section onto it.
The result?
A genuine 24-metre spider lift that still remains remarkably compact.
That’s clever engineering.
Changing My Opinion
At the very beginning of this article, I admitted I’d held a negative opinion of CTE.
It’s only fair that I explain why.
Years ago, I owned two older CTE truck-mounted platforms.
Both suffered faults that caused plenty of frustration, including load cell issues and hydraulic problems. Those experiences understandably left a lasting impression.
Looking back now though, I think I allowed those experiences—and a few industry rumours—to influence my opinion for longer than they probably should have.
Machines evolve.
Manufacturers improve.
Dealerships change.
Support networks develop.
It’s only fair to judge what’s standing in front of you today.
After spending a full day operating the TRS240, that’s exactly what I did.
The Dealer Matters Just As Much As The Machine
One thing I’ve learnt over the years is that buying access equipment isn’t simply about choosing a manufacturer.
It’s about choosing the people who’ll support you after the sale.
That gave me confidence.
CTE have invested in engineers, dealer support and people who genuinely understand these machines.
That matters every bit as much as another metre of outreach or another few kilograms of basket capacity.
Would I Own One?
Honestly?
Yes.
I genuinely could.
The TRS240 offers several features I’d happily use every week.
Being able to set the machine up directly from the trailer.
Working entirely from the basket.
Excellent multi-function controls.
Fantastic access through narrow gateways.
An impressive working envelope.
Competitive weight.
Competitive footprint.
By the end of the day I’d stopped reviewing it and simply started enjoying operating it.
That’s probably the biggest compliment I can give any machine.
If you’d like to see exactly what changed my opinion, watch the full review here:
👉 https://youtu.be/g0_Pt3kmVA0
Then let me know in the comments whether you’d choose the TRS240 over its competitors.
Looking After Roofs Safely
Machines like the TRS240 aren’t just interesting pieces of engineering—they allow roofing contractors to work more safely and efficiently.
Whether I’m carrying out roof surveys, roof repairs, chimney repointing, chimney flaunching, gutter repairs, or investigating a persistent roof leak, having the right access equipment often makes all the difference.
If your property needs professional attention, you can also learn more about my services:
Roof Repairs
https://www.dji-uk.co.uk/roof-repairs
Roof Cleaning
https://www.dji-uk.co.uk/roof-cleaning
Gutter Clearance
https://www.dji-uk.co.uk/gutter-clearance
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CTE TRS240 suitable for domestic roofing work?
Yes. Despite offering a 24-metre working height, the TRS240 retracts narrow enough to access many domestic properties through side gates, making it ideal for roof repairs, chimney repairs and gutter maintenance.
Can a spider lift replace scaffolding?
Not always, but for many chimney repairs, roof inspections and gutter cleaning jobs, a spider lift offers quicker access with far less disruption. You can read more about my Cherry Picker Hire service here: https://dji-uk.co.uk/cherry-picker-hire
Why are roof surveys important?
A professional roof survey identifies problems before they become expensive repairs. Small defects such as slipped tiles, deteriorating mortar or damaged flashing can often be repaired early, saving significant money later. Find out more here: https://www.dji-uk-uk.co.uk/roof-surveys
What causes roof leaks around chimneys?
Common causes include failed lead flashing, deteriorated pointing, cracked flaunching and damaged chimney masonry. If left untreated, these issues often allow water into loft spaces and chimney breasts. More information is available on my Chimney Maintenance & Repair page: https://www.dji-uk.co.uk/chimney-maintenance
Is gutter cleaning really necessary?
Absolutely. Blocked gutters frequently cause overflowing water, penetrating damp and unnecessary roof repairs. Regular gutter clearance helps protect both the roof and the building below. Learn more here: https://www.dji-uk.co.uk/gutter-clearance
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My workwear is sponsored by Granite Workwear, and all of the clothing I’m wearing in the video can be purchased on their website: Workwear Clothing Supplier | Protective Safety Clothes.
