Construction and maintenance projects demand a wide range of equipment and machines, among which aerial work platforms are also a significant requirement. These are mobile elevating work platforms that help transport materials and personnel to heights safely. There are multiple tasks like cleaning, repairing, construction, and fittings that take place at heights and need a stable platform.
The aerial work platform is one of the very crucial requirements that supports the height-oriented tasks very well and ensures the reliable performance of the labors. If you want to incorporate them into your projects and need to learn about them, read the guide below.
What Is an Aerial Lift?
An aerial lift is an elevated platform that is designed for lifting equipment and personnel to various heights so that they can conduct different tasks like maintenance, inspection, and construction. Some examples of these lifts are scissor lifts, cherry pickers, and boom lifts.
Lifts are mechanical devices that help transport people and materials to heights; they use varied mechanisms for their functionality, comprising electrical and hydraulic. Such lifts are widely used in many industries like construction, transportation, and warehouses.
Common Uses of Aerial Lifts
The aerials lifts are used in many ways, and some of these common uses they have are as follows:
Construction and Maintenance
In the construction industry aerial lifts are used for conducting the tasks at elevated heights. They are used for the installation of fixtures, which comprise lighting, HVAC systems, and other structures. Moreover, the painters can safely paint ceilings and high walls using aerial platforms. They even facilitate the inspection, repairs, and installation of roofs. Due to the versatility of these aerial lifts, they are used in many construction sites and tend to reduce the risks associated with traditional ladders.
Warehousing and Inventory Management
Aerial lifts are also used in warehouses as they help reach high storage areas to store goods on shelves that are in upper pallet racks or at the mezzanine level. Moreover, the workers can perform stock counts and inspections at heightened areas. They are compact and lightweight, which makes them suitable for moving around confined warehouse spaces and enhances safety and productivity.
Event Setup and Maintenance
Aerial lifts are used in events as well, and they help workers conduct electrical work and installation of displays, lights, banners, and backdrops. Sometimes, the speakers and lights are to be installed at heights, and the ease of using aerial lifts makes it possible to reach them safely.
Utilities and Telecommunications
Aerial working platforms are also utilized by utility companies as they help workers inspect, install, and repair electrical lines with efficiency and safety. They even allow accessibility to cell towers, poles of telephones, or other infrastructure that are highly mounted and need accessible solutions.
Different Types of Aerial Lifts
There are different types of aerial lifts, and each type is used for a different purpose. The different types of aerial lifts are given below.
Boom Lifts
Boom lifts are vertical platforms offering accessibility to heights. There are different types of boom lifts that are composed of articulating boom lifts and telescopic boom lifts. The articulating boom lifts have arms joined, offering a flexible movement around the obstacles. These are suitable for construction projects. Whereas the telescopic boom lifts are used for utility tasks and inspecting tall structures. They have extendable and straight arms offering vertical and horizontal reach.
Scissor Lifts
Scissor lifts are compact lifts that offer a crisscross pattern and can help with vertical elevation. They offer high stability and have a high load capacity, which makes them suitable for repairs of ceilings and even used in warehouses. These lifts are most commonly used indoors and offer efficiency when used in tight spaces.
Vertical Mast Lifts
Vertical mast lifts are lightweight lifts that are used for conducting tasks in tight spaces, offering vertical elevation. They have a very sleek design and can easily navigate in crowded spaces. They are mostly used in warehouses and retail stores and can be opted for cleaning and replacement of lighting fixtures in tight spaces due to their compact design.
Trailer-Mounted Lifts
Trailer-mounted lifts are easy to tow at different sites with the help of vehicles. They have multiple configurations, offer height versatility, and are mobile-mounted platforms. Also, they can be suitable for remote tasks. Due to their mobility, they offer cost-effectiveness and suitability for short-term projects that are conducted in diverse locations.
Aerial Work Platforms (AWP)
Aerial work platforms are designed to offer efficient and safe tasks to be conducted on heights. These consist of boom lifts, man lifts, personnel lifts, and other platforms. They are used in many businesses and industries, including events, warehousing, construction, and much more. They can offer tailored solutions or accessibility and heights. AWPs have harness points, guardrails, and non-slip platforms that offer the safety of workers.
Benefits of Using Aerial Lifts
Some of the benefits of using aerial lifts are given below.
Enhanced Safety
Aerial lifts offer a safety advantage over other methods like using ladders. They offer a secure and stable working platform that has multiple safety features. The balancing and frequency repositioning of ladders has always been very challenging but aerial lifts are very feasible and let the workers focus on their work. They are also equipped with multiple features and types so that all types of tasks can be catered to easily and with high security.
Increased Efficiency
The efficiency of the aerial lifts is also one of their major benefits, as they are designed to quickly offer accessibility to areas that are elevated. They comprise controls offering ease in height adjustment so that no time is wasted, and with quick mobility, the tasks can be completed in time. When you compare them to traditional ladders, they can offer reduced downtime and improved productivity.
Versatility
Aerial lifts are used widely across many industries. They are used in construction for roof tasks, installation of fixtures, and painting. In warehouses, they help with stock and inventory storage at elevated shelves, and in events, they are used for maintaining the signage and lighting. They are versatile types that are suitable for indoor and outdoor spaces and also cater to tight spaces.
Key Considerations When Choosing an Aerial Lift
There are multiple considerations that are important when choosing an aerial work platform, and some of these are discussed below.
Project Requirements
When choosing the aerial lift, you need to evaluate the project requirements beforehand so that you can select the right one. You need to assess the height requirement and the load capacity required. Moreover, you also need to assess the condition of the site, as some lifts may be suitable for rough terrains, whereas some need a flat surface. So, understanding the requirements will help you make the right selection that offers maximum productivity.
Lift Specifications
Every lift has a different specification and not all suit every project. Hence, you need to consider factors like the maximum height of working, maximum weight limit, and the source of power. You have to consider the highest reach point you need and the highest reach point offered by the lift.
Also, make sure to consider the weight it can handle for the equipment as well as personnel, followed by the type of power it uses. Indoor operations find electric lifts suitable as they are quiet and also release no emissions, whereas gas and diesel-powered lifts are suitable for outdoor applications.
Rental vs. Purchase
When it comes to opting for aerial work platform rental, and purchasing are the two options. The selection between these two choices depends on whether you have a short-term project or a long-term project. Rental is a cost-effective and flexible choice but is suitable if you tend to use it for a short-term period.
However, if you want to operate these lifts in your long-term or regular usage the idea of purchasing is more economical. When you have the lift owned, you can at any time use the lift for your projects; however, you have to look into the storage and maintenance.
Conclusion
Aerial work platform offers ease in various ways and can lead to improved productivity in most of the projects these are used for. However, the most important thing is choosing the right type and high-quality lift that caters to projects at elevated heights in the safest way so that the purpose of your investment is achieved.
The guide above discusses the different types of lifts and how they can be selected and used to help you make your decision. Everstar Machinery offers a wide range of aerial work platforms that can be incorporated into your projects.
Looking for the Right Means to Reach Heights? Everstar Machinery Offers a Solution!
Are you looking for a versatile aerial lift that helps you achieve productivity on elevated platforms? Get in touch with Everstar Machinery, and our expert advice will help you with your project.
