How to Choose the Right Aerial Work Platform?

An aerial work platform, or lift platform, is a piece of equipment that enables work to be carried out safely at elevated heights and minimizes the risk of falling for workers.

There are several models to choose from, depending on the characteristics of the work to be done and the location. You`ll need to take into account various criteria, such as whether the work will be carried out indoors or outdoors, the working height, whether the work area is easily accessible or not, the load, etc.

Lift platforms are used on construction sites, in logistics, for maintenance work in factories, on public highways, and in many other areas.

What are the criteria for choosing an aerial work platform?

There are many different types of aerial work platforms. Start by choosing the most suitable configuration for the intended use, then select the ideal model from the range of sizes and load capacities available in this category. Here are the different criteria to consider:

●Work environment: This is the environment in which your aerial work platform will operate. The type of platform you should choose depends on whether your aerial work platform will be used for indoor or outdoor work. You should also consider the type of terrain it will be used on (stable, muddy, loose soil, etc.).

●Working height: This is the most important criterion, and the easiest to define. It corresponds to the height the workers must reach in order to carry out their work. This criterion has a direct influence on which types of lifting mechanisms or which work platform models can be considered.

●Load capacity: This is determined by the number of workers and the weight of the material that will be lifted by the platform.

●Mobility: Lift platforms are available with different mobility options. To choose the right one, you should take into account the environment in which the lift will operate and how often it will need to be repositioned. Self-propelled lift platforms allow the operator to reposition easily. Wheeled lift platforms are more suited for indoor work, while crawler lift platforms are better for outdoor use. Trailer-mounted aerial platforms are simpler and less expensive but require a towing vehicle to change locations. Vehicle-mounted aerial platforms are used when work is to be carried out on public roads.

●Overall dimensions: The dimensions of the aerial platform must be taken into account to avoid any problems during use. Mast boom lifts are the most compact, and are therefore preferable for work in hard-to-reach areas and small spaces.

●Lateral movement: Lateral movement refers to the ability to move the aerial platform horizontally in relation to the base. Scissor lifts have no lateral movement, so the platform can only go up and down. Articulated and telescopic lifts, on the other hand, are able to reach work areas while avoiding obstacles such as branches or electrical wires. They are also ideal for when the lift`s base cannot be positioned directly at the foot of the work area.