Aerial lift manufacturers keep you safe when you need to work at or above the tree line. At this height, it's important to use safe, reliable aerial lifts to get the job done. Aerial lifts and aerial lift platforms enable you to do construction and or make repairs from on high while minimizing the risk of injury to you or other workers.

Aerial lifts are major investments, so you need to buy aerial lifts from aerial lift manufacturers that offer a reliable, quality product outfitted for the type of job you do and the kind of safety precautions you need. Here are some other factors to consider when purchasing man lifts:

1. Consider your fuel budget for man lifts.
2. Determine how much capacity you need for your aerial lift platforms.
3. Look into the usability of aerial lifts to maximize safety and performance.
4. Make sure the roads in areas in which you do the most work can handle the weight of the aerial lifts you're considering. Also, make sure you have a storage area that's large enough for the lift.

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Find great scissor lift manufacturers

While scissor lifts are like aerial lifts, they don't fall under the same standards for safety and construction. Scissor lifts are considered to be more of a movable scaffold than an aerial lift, so it's important to note they are subject to different safety requirements. Find scissor lift manufacturers online that address these issues properly.

I recommend: Titan Worldwide lists a wide range of scissor lift models on its website. For both standard and customized scissor lifts, look into Aerdon Equipment Inc.

Buy aerial lifts from reputable aerial lift manufacturers

A good aerial lift truck comes from an established aerial lift distributor that understands your needs and won't try to talk you into buying more than you need.

I recommend: Boom Truck is a great online classifieds site that allows you to search for man lifts for sale by model and other search fields. Cannon Equipment also has a comprehensive inventory of new and used aerial lift trucks.

Look into used aerial lifts - carefully

Everybody's on a budget, and there's no harm in taking a look at used options. However, safety is the top priority, so make sure the machines you're considering have been properly cared for and are still running in top shape.

I recommend: Advanced Aerials lists used boom lifts for sale on its website, while Alexander Equipment offers lists of both used boom and scissor lifts.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Need a lot of lift capabilities when working indoors? Consider electric aerial lifts, which can fit into tight spaces and maneuver in multiple ways, giving you more versatility for those complex indoor jobs.

Knowledge of aerial lifts basics can help your company decide on the right machinery for your company. Aerial lifts and aerial lift platforms provide a safe means of reaching inaccessible areas, particularly great heights. Man lifts can be used indoors or outdoors for a variety of tasks including maintenance, construction, painting, or electrical work. Aerial lift manufacturers provide a variety of equipment, including scissor lifts, boom lifts, aerial truck lifts and more. Most aerial lifts are powered by hydraulics. Costs and availability vary depending on the type of lift purchased.

The type of aerial lift you purchase ultimately relies on the type of work you need done. Scissor lifts have large weight capacities and offer a large workspace, but can only be operated vertically. Aerial lift trucks and boom lifts operate more like cranes and can have extensive reach in multiple directions. Some things to consider when looking for an aerial lifts distributor include:

1. Understanding the differences among types of aerial lift platforms.
2. Checking out products offered by multiple aerial lifts manufacturers.
3. Considering safety issues associated with aerial lifts before making a purchase
   

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Get familiar with differences between multiple types of aerial lifts

Before deciding on an aerial lift model for you business, you need to determine what type of machinery best fits your needs. An aerial lift truck might be the best option for outdoor maintenance needs but a painting company will probably want to purchase a scissor lift.

I recommend: For some basic information on scissor lifts, check out ScissorLiftArea.com. Find information on how scissor lifts are used as well as reviews of a variety of scissor lift manufacturers. Genie Industries is a leading manufacturer of all kinds of aerial lift equipment, and hosts a variety of demo videos that demonstrate how equipment like articulating booms and aerial work platforms are used on the job.

Compare the offerings from a few aerial lifts manufacturers

A good way learn about aerial lifts basics is to visit manufacturer or distributor websites and compare vital statistics like weight capacity, height, reach extension, and price so you can find a machine that fits your company's specific requirements.

I recommend: JLG sells a wide variety of lift equipment and aerial work platforms. Their online product catalog categorizes machinery by type or height so you can easily compare differences in capabilities between products. Aerdon Equipment offers a great online selection of standard and custom scissor lifts that showcases multiple weight capacities and functions.

Determine aerial lifts safety risks before buying

Aerial lifts are useful for a number of different tasks, but like all heavy duty equipment, can be dangerous. Lifts that operate at great heights can cause serious injury or death to workers if they malfunction or are operated incorrectly. Learn more about the risks associated with different types of aerial lifts before choosing one for your company.

I recommend: Find information on causes of deaths associated with aerial lifts by occupation from eLCOSH, as well as ways to prevent accidents. The
Society for Protective Coatings provides a wealth of information about how to safely operate and inspect aerial lift equipment and explains how most deaths occur on the job.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some aerial lifts manufacturers offer training programs for boom lift operators. Take advantage of safety courses to help prevent accidental injuries or death as a result of improper use of aerial lift equipment.

Aerial lifts are valuable pieces of equipment used to move equipment and materials on the job site. Whether they are indoors or out, these workhorses greatly reduce the amount of physical labor that humans need to perform.

Because of the relatively poor safety record of these aerial lifts, the United State Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) now mandates aerial lifts education and training for anyone that uses these machines. There are a number of reasons why aerial lifts may cause safety issues. They include:

1. Tip overs because of the awkward height-to-base ratio of the aerial lifts.

2. Misuse of the equipment by untrained personnel.

3. Lack of maintenance for aerial lifts.

If you are purchasing your first aerial lifts, seek aerial lifts equipment buying advice, as well as safety instruction information from aerial lifts manufacturers. Your local aerial lifts distributor should also have a good idea of where to go locally to get the necessary training for your staff.

Action Steps
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Understand the objectives of aerial lifts education and training

No matter how you receive your training, you should understand why it is mandatory.

I recommend: The Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health offers a white paper on why training for aerial lift platforms is mandatory. OSHA offers training manuals for powered industrial trucks and aerial lifts.

Get the aerial lifts education and training you need

Whether you sit in a classroom or get training from an online source, the objectives and end results are the same. You should realize that online training doesn't offer the hands-on opportunities you could get in a classroom.

I recommend: You can learn the basics of an aerial lift truck at Free-Training.com. You can take an online course from Distance-Education.org to get your aerial lifts education and training. Or, get fork lift and boom lift training from the NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center. Its classes are typical of the hands-on training you receive from an educational outlet that offers this type of safety class.

Receive specialized training in aerial lifts

If you have specialized equipment, this step is necessary. Another type of specialized training is for instructors. If you have several persons on staff that need training, send one person and let her become your staff trainer. This can save you a lot of money over time.

I recommend: Crane Tech offers online training for personnel who teach others how to safely use man lifts, aerial bucket trucks and aerial lift trucks, as well as other types of aerial lifts. This program gives you access to specific training materials from aerial lift manufacturers and scissor lift manufacturers. You can customize the training of your staff based on the type of equipment they operate. LiftSafe also offers training for instructors.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Stay current with any changes in the law regarding aerial lifts education and training. You may need periodic refresher courses and additional training to operate different pieces of machinery.