AERIAL LIFTS

Before you purchase an aerial lift, you must know how high you want the lift to reach. Start by measuring the shelves that you want to reach with the lift, the work location, or the equipment that needs servicing. Include variations such as ceiling height, ground level, or doorframes.

The lift height is measured to the platform height. This is how high the bucket or the lift platform extends. The working height will be six feet above this point. If you have a lift with a platform height of 19 feet, then the maximum work height will be up to 25 feet.

You also need to consider the lifting capacity. This is how much weight the lift can support. We also call this the operating capacity. This may be around 300-2,000 lbs. A standard lift has a capacity of about 500-700lbs. This is enough for equipment and two workers, roughly.

Capacity and height have a limiting factor. A lift that has a greater capacity is going to be larger. If you need the lift to move in an indoor environment, then it might have to fit in tight spaces or through doorways. If you have an outdoor lift, it may have to fit through a trailer or a gate. You need to balance the physical requirements of the workspace you have with the capacity and height of the lift.

Most aerial lifts use propane, diesel, electricity, or regular gas as they are self-propelled. An indoor lift will usually use electricity. For better workflow and power outside, a lift will run on diesel or gasoline. This allows you to run the lift for hours. You get more flexibility with a dual lift. These can switch between gasoline for outdoor use and then use propane indoors.

Aerial lifts are split into two main categories, which are rough terrain and slab lifts. For smooth surfaces or indoor use, a slab lift is used.

For uneven surfaces, rough terrain lifts are more appropriate. The tires and power systems are the main differences between these lifts.

A slab lift is usually powered by electricity. They are used indoors and have solid rubber tires that don’t cause marks. The rough terrain lifts are run by diesel or gasoline. They are dual powered and usually have pneumatic tires. This leads to better traction and stability.

You will have to look at the features you want for your lift. You may need extras such as fluorescent bulbs, built-in carriers for tools, or welding equipment as these can make the lift more efficient. If you’re in a muddy environment or place that is slippery, you need a four-wheel-drive unit that you can get as an add-on. Some lifts have traction-controlled systems that will distribute the power in response to the traction as it changes. If you choose an electric lift, you will want one with a built-in automatic charger and batteries. You can take these units and plug them into an outlet and charge the lift as you need to. An amp-hour battery will give you more power.

Lift Tires

There are several types of tires you can get for a lift which are as follows:

Pneumatic Tires

These tires are filled with polyurethane foam or air. When you have pneumatic tires with air, it provides a smooth ride on an uneven or bumpy surface. This runs the risk that you’ll get a flat, but they are less expansive. You can get foam pneumatic tires that are flat-resistant, but they cost more.

Non-Marking Tires

These are a solid rubber tire, but thinner than pneumatic tires. These don’t go flat, and they are designed, so they don’t mark up floors. You get a rougher ride with non-marking tires. Since they are usually used indoors, this doesn’t really matter much.

An aerial lift is a device that can be dangerous. Whenever you have a worker 20 feet or more in the air, there is always a risk involved. It’s important to follow proper safety procedures and to ensure that equipment is properly maintained. Accident rates for these lifts are considered to be quite low

For scissor lifts, there are the ANSI A92.6 safety specifications, and for the boom lifts, there are the ANSI A92.5 safety specifications. The user needs to read these specifications. Even if you use a machine for just a day, you are responsible for the safe operation of that machine. The safety decals and operating manual provide you with information about the basic safety features of the unit. They show you how to use the equipment in the right way.

When you buy a new lift, the manuals and decals are there for you. On the loft itself, you should find the manual. When you buy a used lift, you need to ensure that the manual is included with the lift and that the important decals haven’t been removed or painted over.

There can be user error even if the safety features are followed. The machines gave other safety features that can prevent aerial lift accident such as the following:

• High-speed cutout - Most lifts are drivable from the bucket. If the lift is extended, the operator is still able to move the entire lift. The high-speed cutout will limit the speed of the unit. When the lift reaches a certain height.
• Protection from potholes – Many new lifts have pothole protection. When the lift is raised, the arms come out to stabilize the unit. If the unit hits a pothole when the machine is in operation, the arms keep the base of the machine from tipping kore than a couple of inches. This keeps the operator in the unit stable.
• Warning levels – Uneven ground is one of the main causes of lift accidents. The uneven ground can destabilize the unit as the center for gravity has shifted. A level warning sound will go off, and boom operation is disabled if the lift senses that it’s not level.
• Restraints and guardrails – Another safety feature of these lifts are guardrails and restraints. These prevent the user from falling. For all lifts, these are standard and mandatory safety features.
• Static Straps – if you use a lift that has non-marking tires, then it comes with static straps. The straps ground your lift, so there is no dangerous build-up of static electricity, which keeps workers safe.
• Manual Descent Valve – This is another important safety feature. If the lift loses power while in the air, a person on the ground can use the valve and lower the lift to safety on the ground.
• LCD Display – This provides you with information through sensors and diagnostics. You get up-to-the-minute feedback about the lift, which improved safety and gives you important operational status updates.

You will virtually always get a basic manufacturer’s warranty on your new aerial lift.

You may get longer warranties on some subsystems such as 2-3 years for the powertrain.

A used lift will usually have a 30-day guarantee as these types of machines can take a lot of abuse, which the seller can't account for. Aerial lifts that are used, and low-end are virtually always sold “as-is.” so make sure you thoroughly test it out before signing anything.

The purchase price isn't always the main pricing factor when looking at aerial lifts. In the long run, sometimes it's better to spend a little bit more money on your lift. You want a lift that meets all of your needs from a high-quality seller. You may pay more for this, but it’s going to be well worth it.

Maintenance

It’s important to maintain your lift on an ongoing basis. You want frequent oil changes, and you need to check hydraulic fluid levels. You need to have a certified mechanic check it on an annual basis as this is required. You also want to ensure that the lift remains safe, so checks are required often.

User Modifications

You need to be aware of user modifications. This includes welding, cutting, and changing the lift to meet their needs. This can include changing the bucket wall or the railing. The work could look string, but it may have compromised the structural safety, or the lift may fail altogether. It’s not a good idea to buy lifts that have been modified.

Check the Odometer but Ask How Old the Machine Is

Check the odometer to see how many hours are on the machine when you buy a used machine. The machine may look older than what the gauge says, so ask how old the machine is.