How to Pick the Right Aerial Lift

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Whether you're looking for a new or used aerial lift or an aerial lift rental for your shorter-term project, it's crucial to know the requirements of the job ' and your equipment ' before you invest.

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Different aerial lifts serve diverse purposes, from accessing hard-to-reach places to increasing warehouse inventory management efficiency; your project will determine which lift will best serve your purposes. Read on to decide which aerial lift will be perfect for your next job.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Renting or Buying an Aerial Lift

• Is your project indoors or outdoors?
• Will you need a heavy-duty lift for rough-terrain, or a compact platform for tight warehouse spaces?
• What vertical and horizontal distances will you require of your machine?
• What is the total weight your lift will need to hold ' including both materials and personnel?

The answers to these questions will inform your equipment-buying process. With these questions answered and your equipment requirements defined, follow our comprehensive buying guide to decide which type of aerial lift is right for your project.

When Should I use a Vertical Mast Lift?

A vertical mast lift is a light-weight, vertical aerial lift that works best in inventory management and stock-picking projects on an even-surfaced warehouse. Vertical mast lifts are light-weight and compact, typically accommodating one operator and handling up to 500 pounds. This means these machines work well for smaller scale warehouses in which heavy load-lifting is not required. This is typically the lowest cost option when you need to eliminate ladders and scaffolds.

Vertical mast lifts can be electrically self-propelled or manually pushed into position depending on the weight and power your work requires. They can achieve elevated work heights from 15 to 40 feet.

A vertical mast lift is best utilized:

• When you're looking to cut costs and increase efficiency in your warehouse inventory management processes
• In indoor areas requiring low clearance and minimal emissions
• In light-weight, vertical lifting projects on even surfaces

What's the Difference Between an Electric-Powered and Engine-Powered Articulating Boom Lift?

Articulating boom lifts, sometimes referred to as 'knuckle booms' for their multiple hinged sections, allow for maneuverability in hard-to-reach worksites. These lifts work well in tight, congested areas in which you need to work around obstacles like overhead conduits and pipes.

In choosing the right lift, consider your emissions requirement; you can choose between engine-powered lifts, which offer substantial power and mobility over rough terrain, and electric articulated boom lifts, which are quiet and sustainable in an even-surfaced, indoor area.

Used an electric-powered articulated boom lift:

• On projects that involve hard-to reach areas and congested workspace
• In a warehouse with tight corners, confined spaces and there's requirements for little sound disruption
• When work height requirements range from 30-45 feet
• When inside and don't want poisonous emissions accumulating

Used an engine-powered articulated boom lift:

• On outdoor projects where overhead obstructions prevent direct access to your work position
• When engine emissions accumulation are not an issue at your worksite
• When you have to reach work heights from 40 to over 100 feet elevation
• When traveling over rough terrain on a construction worksite or when you require a boom with 4 wheel drive

When Should I Use a Telescopic Boom Lift?

A telescopic boom lift is simpler than an articulating boom in that it's boom has no 'knuckle' and merely protrudes out from the base in a straight line. Operators must be able to access the working position directly using lift and telescopic functions. These powerful lifts offer working positions from 40 to well over 100 feet with a maximum lift height to date of 185 feet on the largest models.

Contractors searching for extensive reach and not limited to a tight space will find telescopic booms useful in replacing scaffolding. While not as versatile as the articulating boom lift, these lifts have very high performance in large-scale, outdoor construction projects.

• On outdoor job sites requiring larger vertical and horizontal reach distances
• When traveling over rough terrain to a construction worksite, or when you require a boom with 4-wheel drive
• When you're working from a distance
• When you're looking to increase power and speed on your jobsite
• As a lower cost option to the articulated boom lift of equal lift height

When Should I Use a Scissor Lift?

Scissor lifts are named for the crisscrossing metal supports that elongate to lift the platform vertically. These sturdy lifts can tackle your warehouse inventory project or your outdoor project on uneven terrain, depending on the power source and model you choose.

Like vertical mast lifts, electric, low-clearance scissor lifts work well in warehouses with even flooring and where low emissions are required; engine-powered scissor lifts can travel across rough, outdoor terrain with 4-wheel drive technology.

Scissor lifts are best suited for:

• In jobs that are mostly vertical; some models come equipped with small extension decks
• Electric: In low-clearance indoor workspaces that require limited emissions
• Engine-powered: In outdoor jobs that require all-terrain transport of equipment and require only vertically raised platforms

With this equipment breakdown and thorough analysis of your project, you can determine the best aerial lift for you. From an electric scissor lift for your low-emissions warehouse project or a 4-wheel drive telescopic boom lift for an expansive construction job, we'll assist with all your aerial lift needs.

LiftOne carries both Genie aerial lifts and JLG aerial lifts; check out our new equipment or used inventory to browse extensive options. Looking for more of a short-term equipment rental? We can help with that, too. Visit one of our convenient locations for further information and help in choosing the best aerial equipment for you.

How to Choose the Right Mobile Aerial Working Platform 

Previously we discussed how many types of Mobile Aerial Working Platform (MEWP) that available in the market. Now, let's learn how to choose the right MEWP now.

So, how are you going to determine which type of MEWP that you need? What is the model that you need? What size and capacity that you need? As a construction supervisor or engineer, you need to choose a sufficient range but a size that fits safely and comfortably in your workspace. You also need to consider the type of equipment that is within your budget and feasible from the financial point of view.

We list down 5 key consideration factors to select the best equipment that fits your job.

Want more information on single mast aerial work platform? Feel free to contact us.

What question you should ask yourself before renting for a MEWP?

Asking yourself questions can help you find the best equipment for the job. A few examples of questions to ask and things to consider are:

• What type of movement do you need?
• How high do you need to go?
• How many people and how much material do you need to move?
• What are the job site ground and overhead conditions?
• What are the space restrictions of the job site and work area?
• What kind of power source capability do you have on-site?

The answers to these questions will point at the platform height, boom type, whether it should be tracked or wheeled with two or four-wheel drive. This helps contractors to determine whether a boom or scissor lift is the better option to rent.

Now let go one by one of each factor to be considered by priority. Let's focus on the most common 4 types of boom lift for construction and maintenance work which are Telescopic Boom Lift, Articulated Boom Lift, Scissor Lift, Vertical Man Lift, and Spider lift.

1. Space Restrictions and Reach

Consider the space that your lift is moving through. Tall buildings with narrow doorways will require a different aerial lift platform than one used in a wide-open at construction job site.

• If the working area is vertically underneath your equipment deployment position without any obstruction, you may consider going for a scissor lift.
• Otherwise, can go for the other type of such as telescopic boom lift, articulated boom lift, and spider lift.

2. Movement Type

Aerial lifts can either be single-mast or multiple masts' in other words, their movement is either only vertical or both vertical and horizontal. 

• If you just require a vertical movement, then consider going for a scissor lift.
• If you require a vertical and horizontal movement with a clear pathway of your reach to the workplace from your equipment position, then you may consider for telescopic boom lift.
• Otherwise, you may consider for an articulated boom lift or spider lift.

3. Ground Condition and Accessibility Conditions

Is your terrain steep and tricky, or is it delicate and soft? The conditions will determine the type of lift you'll need. Like any vehicle, tires are also important. Flotation, non-marking, standard pneumatic, solid rubber, and foam-filled are just a few of the choices.

• If the ground condition is a flat slab, you can use almost all types of MEWP depend on your workplace requirement.
• If the ground condition is not even, you may go for choose MEWP that design for rough surface (tire) or with even crawler track for much more challenging terrain.
• If the access is very narrow, you may consider scissor lift and spider boom lift due to their small dimension. Otherwise, a telescopic and articulated boom lift will be the best option.

4. Weight Capacity

You will need to account for how many workers (elbow room included) and gear will be loaded on the aerial platform. Normally it shall be 2 workers on the working platform to prevent overload. Check the total load and the dimension of the platform require for performing the task and compare it with the specification.

5. Type of Power Source

There are 2 main types of propulsion which are electrically driven, and diesel driven. Diesel is a popular choice for its availability and torque. 

• If you are working indoors, you should go for electrically driven because they are quieter and have no emissions.
• If you are working outdoor, either diesel-driven or electrical-driven will be suitable.

After considering all these factors, you need to refer to the specification and reach diagram of the equipment to confirm which model is suitable for you. It is very simple to read and understand. An example of the specification is this.

You should know how to select the most suitable MEWP for your job now. Learn more about what is Mobile Aerial Working Platform? 

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