Aerial Lifts Basics

Understand the basics before you buy aerial lifts for your business

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
   

 

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

 

• 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.

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