Choosing the right powered access equipment for your project
When selecting a powered access lift, it’s crucial to choose the right one for your specific project needs. Understanding how they work, what they do, and the advantages of each option can help you decide based on your needs and requirements. Factors that you should consider include the type of application, the height at which you’re working, and some of their advantages to confidently choose the most suitable lift to use, making your experience easier and safer.
This blog explores the variety of options available to choose from for powered access lifts.
Scissor Lifts
What it is
A scissor lift is one of the most popular choice for mobile lifting equipment, to move materials and raise people, while also enforcing a safe and comfortable experience when being used.
Hiring a scissor lift is the ideal solution if you have facade work to do, as the scissor lift has no equal correlation in terms of safety and convenience.
The platform rises and descends using crisscrossed beams that move like scissors (hence the name!). Scissor lifts can help with any task that involves elevated workspaces, such as sign hanging, ceiling work, light fixture installation, and other maintenance tasks. Thus, they are also useful for other outdoor projects, from bricklaying to working on powerlines.
Choosing which one
When deciding on the right scissor lift model for rent or purchase, a key factor is the required lifting height. For compact machines and outdoor facade work, equipment with a lifting height of 12-15m is best.
Some key important specifications are as follows:
- The power supply: Diesel scissor lifts are used exclusively for outdoor work to ensure a high fuel supply. Electric scissor lifts are usually chosen for indoor work because they work without harmful emissions. The batteries are used for power, which must be recharged every 24 hours.
- Lift height: One of the most important factors to pay attention to is the height to which access is required. When using equipment with height, it is important to ensure workers feel safe and comfortable.
- Dimensions: They are more involved with working indoors, as it is just as important to consider the size of doorways and rooms. Knowing this key information in advance will ensure that you won’t have any delays with access to the area you will be working in.
- Mobility: If you need to move the machine across from your work area, you can choose between a stationary (moved manually) and self-propelled model and operate the movement control directly from the working platform.
Applications of a scissor lift
Scissor lifts are rented primarily for outdoor work when there is simply not enough space for the boom lifts. Applications are commonly used for repairs, painting, restoration, and glazing of building facades. At the same time, it is actively used for interior work in shops, warehouses and industrial enterprises. Workers do not have to spend time assembling, disassembling and reinstalling scaffolding when using a scissor lift. The equipment can move along the wall even with the platform raised.
Scissor lifts are actively used for facade work such as:
- Repairing work on the facade of a building
- For cleaning and washing the facades of a building
- Installation of any additional equipment on outer walls
- Facade plastering and painting
- Glazing of facades
Boom lifts
What is it
Boom lifts are another popular equipment used for lifting and working at height. They allow you to access an object when it is too difficult. A main difference to be aware of is the turning point, which helps to overcome obstacles and reach an object at a great distance.
Knowing that you will need compact and manoeuvrable lifting equipment is important when hiring a Boom lift. There are no other additional devices, such as a towing vehicle.
Applications of a boom lift
They are particularly useful in the construction industry, as well as in the installation and maintenance of industrial equipment and overhead electrical networks in environments where it is necessary to ensure the safe stay and comfort of workers at various heights, from one metre to ten metres. They provide a good speed of movement on both vertical and horizontal planes.
Advantages
Boom lifts have a high level of reliability, not taking up much space while being easy to move around. Other examples of the advantages of boom lifts are:
- The height: they are capable to reach up to 17 stories high (210ft)
- Fuel options: you can choose a boom lift that can work indoors and outdoors depending on the power source
- Dual control from the ground to the platform: Depending on priorities, narrow or wide platforms can accommodate more capacity or fit more narrow spaces.
- Manoeuvrability: providing access to inaccessible areas in the work site.
Tracked booms
What is it
Tracked booms are the most functional type of self-propelled lifting equipment. They are mounted on a track system that distributes the weight, reducing pressure on the surface and providing added stability and sustainability. They can also be known as spider lifts. The outriggers stabilise the machine and help it reach greater heights safely. They can reach 20-30 metres with compact dimensions, meet all modern safety requirements, and have excellent manoeuvrability.
Application of tracked booms
They can be used with equal success indoors and outdoors. The lift’s cross-country ability makes the overall experience become more confident, even on rough terrain in the open air. Its compact dimensions and non-staining rubberish tracks make it good for indoor use, allowing it to work in buildings with narrow access. Tracked spider lifts are ideal in hopping centres, cinemas, stadiums, and more environments.
Tracked booms lifts have features that make them a popular choice for a range of high-rise applications such as:
- Easy to transport using a trailer or regular truck
- Compact size and lightweight
- Working height up to 30 metres
- Possibility of use on vulnerable floor coverings
Advantages
A key strength of a tracked boom is its ability to navigate and operate in environments with uneven surfaces, slopes, and rough outdoor conditions. It provides unparalleled mobility and effortlessly covers obstacles that would affect other types of lifts.
They also have extendable support by providing a secure foundation, ensuring safety and minimising the risk of tip-overs from uneven surfaces. This makes workers confident when working in an environment that could create difficulty on other lift types.
Mast lifts
What it is
Mast lifts are used to lift workers up to 12m using a sectional carrier. They have a larger carry capacity than boom lifts, which can significantly increase labour productivity. Due to their compactness, they can be used in warehouses in any area.
A sectional folding mast, an electrical motor, articulated legs/ or a wheelbase and a work platform are key features of the design of mast lifts.
The design pays attention to safety, with the lifts equipped with protection systems that prevent accident falls. The seamless transition between the masts ensures even movement and minimises swings when being lowered.
Application of a mast lift
When mast lifts have been hired, they usually are used for the following:
- The washing of glass and window facades
- The repair and maintenance of large industrial facilities and equipment
- Installation of light hinge structures
- Installation and replacement of light instalment of lighting equipment
- Repair or decoration of walls, ceilings, and facades.
Advantages
Some strengths of mast lifts:
- Maximum manoeuvrability: The mast lift’s small dimensions allow it to move along narrow aisles and corridors between floors.
- High level of security: Each model is equipped with an automatic break and with low/high-limit switches and platforms.
- Ease of management: The two control panels with an initiative interface will be able to reduce any issues with the control of a machine.
Runabouts
What is it
Runabouts are compact, low-weight machines that increase productivity on the job due to their ability to fit through doorways and in most passenger elevators. They are ideal for maintenance, warehousing, stock-picking and transporting. With them being manoeuvrable and compact, they allow lifting either one worker or a weight of 200kg with a height of 8 metres. This is a good solution for working on heights in small spaces. For example, the Genie runabout will fit most passenger elevators and can pass through the doorways with an operator.
Advantages
There is a selection of advantages to using runabout lifts that are as follows:
- The built-in diagnostics for convenient maintenance
- Zero inside turning radius allows you someone to work in small and tight places
- Can be driven while an operator is on board
- Can be driven while fully elevated
- Compact design to fit into most elevators.
Application of Runabouts
Runabout lifts will allow you to reach parts which others cannot reach while being used indoors. The main jobs that will require Runabouts are:
- Stock-picking
- Transporting
- General maintenance
- Construction
- Inventory management
Push-around
What is it
Push-around’s were designed to be lightweight, compact, and portable, providing a lift for someone at work at relatively low heights but in tight places. They are manoeuvrable and easy to move between work environments.
They come in various specifications and features, including a scissor lift or a tower to provide effective straight-up access and ease of moving the machine from one work area to another.
A push-around vertical lift is ideal for general repair, routine maintenance, inventory management, stacking high shelves, and repairing and maintaining lights.
Application of push-around lifts
Renting one of the push-around lifts is ideal when more than one person will be lifted and involved when working in a confined space. They have zero emissions and are, therefore, suitable for indoor usage.
The push-around one-man lift is good for maintenance, hanging things up, and cleaning tasks on construction projects and in other places such as factories and shopping centres.
Advantages
There is a selection of push-around lift advantages:
- They are compact: they can pass through doorways to be transported by elevators and work efficiently, even if in smaller spaces.
- Lightweight: these lights are suitable for working on even finished flooring.
- Easy to operate: these machines are easy to set up and use with difficulties.
- Versatile: They are a good alternative to the standard scissor lifts and are very affordable and easy to manoeuvre.
Considering everything you have read above, you will now be able to decide on which powered access lift is most suitable for your projects needs. Elavation’s range of powered access lifts are available to hire for your next project, and we’re happy to consult with any queries you may have on the best lift for you and your project’s needs. Contact our support team today.
