Choosing the Right Elevating Work Platform for Your Job
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hether at work or at home there may come a time when you need to reach a high area with no other plausible way to access it except for using an elevating work platform (EWP). But what kind of lift is right for the job you are doing? If you aren’t quite sure, check out the most popular lifts for hire at Centenary Hire and you’re sure to find a solution to get the job done safely and efficiently. Also, all the EWPs in this article can be operated without high risk work license, once you have received proper instruction or training and are competent.
Called a “Cherry Picker,” this is a trailer mounted EWP which has a basket rated to carry two operators. We have a 10.9m Cherry Picker which uses a telescopic boom to reach its maximum height. This is preferred by customers who have straight line access to their area. Our 10.6m Cherry Picker has a small 3rd boom which allows the operator to lift up underneath an awning for example, or drop down over the top of something, like a tree limb. This one is better for working with obstructions. The basket on both cherry pickers will rotate left and right and both come with a safety harness included in the hire.
The 7.5m Rizer Vertical Lift reaches a maximum height of 7.5 metres but unlike a Cherry Picker, it only goes straight up and there is no rotation for the basket. This EWP can however, be driven from the platform, even at full height. It has a small section of the platform which can be extended for extra reach over an obstacle or simply for greater platform space.
Advertised as a lift that can “finally go anywhere” the 4.3m Powerlift can even go up a flight of stairs … if you pull it up there … but it is reasonably light and this scenario is definitely achievable. Because it has large rear wheels and the weight is low this EWP is often used on stages with only stair access and inside homes.
Not all the projects you undertake will be on level ground. That’s where the 8.4m Rough Terrain Scissor Lift comes into play. This all wheel drive EWP can handle slopes up to 35 degrees thanks to four outriggers which can level the machine before lifting. At only 1.45m wide it will still access many areas and has a platform with plenty of room for multiple workers and tools, especially with a push out deck.
If you need something a bit smaller that will be used on a sealed and level surface, the 6.0m Scissor Lift or 8.0m Narrow Scissor lift would be your best option. These EWPs are approximately half the width and will fit through doorways. They also have a push out deck for extra platform room or for extending over an obstacle. Due to the weight of these EWPS, we transport them to/from site at rates which are less than a tilt tray truck.
If you would like to transport a scissor lift behind your own vehicle for convenience or to move it between job sites, then our 5.8m Scissor lift on trailer is the one for the job. We the same features as the previous two scissor lifts, this can be towed on a trailer by vehicles that have a tow bar rated at 2T or higher.
Once you understand the features of each machine and can match it to your at height work area, it’s easy to arrange to hire one from Centenary Hire.
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Centenary Hire is a Tradesmen & Weekend Warrior’s best friend. Our ever increasing range of hire equipment consists of modern tools, machinery, scaffold, access equipment and site services all of which are aimed at helping you get the job done right – the first time. Our friendly staff can help you to choose the right equipment for your project or you can view & book your equipment online now at www.CentenaryHire.com.au. Drop into our store at Sumner Park or request an equipment delivery as our efficient transport service extends well beyond the limits of Brisbane on a daily basis.
