Comprehensive Guide to Choose the Right Aerial Working Platform

How to Choose the Right Mobile Aerial Working Platform 

Previously we discussed how many types of Mobile Aerial Working Platform (MEWP) that available in the market. Now, let's learn how to choose the right MEWP now.

WHAT IS A MOBILE AERIAL WORKING PLATFORM?

So, how are you going to determine which type of MEWP that you need? What is the model that you need? What size and capacity that you need? As a construction supervisor or engineer, you need to choose a sufficient range but a size that fits safely and comfortably in your workspace. You also need to consider the type of equipment that is within your budget and feasible from the financial point of view.

We list down 5 key consideration factors to select the best equipment that fits your job.

What question you should ask yourself before renting for a MEWP?

Asking yourself questions can help you find the best equipment for the job. A few examples of questions to ask and things to consider are:

• What type of movement do you need?
• How high do you need to go?
• How many people and how much material do you need to move?
• What are the job site ground and overhead conditions?
• What are the space restrictions of the job site and work area?
• What kind of power source capability do you have on-site?

The answers to these questions will point at the platform height, boom type, whether it should be tracked or wheeled with two or four-wheel drive. This helps contractors to determine whether a boom or scissor lift is the better option to rent.

Now let go one by one of each factor to be considered by priority. Let's focus on the most common 4 types of boom lift for construction and maintenance work which are Telescopic Boom Lift, Articulated Boom Lift, Scissor Lift, Vertical Man Lift, and Spider lift.

1. Space Restrictions and Reach

Consider the space that your lift is moving through. Tall buildings with narrow doorways will require a different aerial lift platform than one used in a wide-open at construction job site.

• If the working area is vertically underneath your equipment deployment position without any obstruction, you may consider going for a scissor lift.
• Otherwise, can go for the other type of such as telescopic boom lift, articulated boom lift, and spider lift.

2. Movement Type

Aerial lifts can either be single-mast or multiple masts— in other words, their movement is either only vertical or both vertical and horizontal. 

• If you just require a vertical movement, then consider going for a scissor lift.
• If you require a vertical and horizontal movement with a clear pathway of your reach to the workplace from your equipment position, then you may consider for telescopic boom lift.
• Otherwise, you may consider for an articulated boom lift or spider lift.

3. Ground Condition and Accessibility Conditions

Is your terrain steep and tricky, or is it delicate and soft? The conditions will determine the type of lift you’ll need. Like any vehicle, tires are also important. Flotation, non-marking, standard pneumatic, solid rubber, and foam-filled are just a few of the choices.

• If the ground condition is a flat slab, you can use almost all types of MEWP depend on your workplace requirement.
• If the ground condition is not even, you may go for choose MEWP that design for rough surface (tire) or with even crawler track for much more challenging terrain.
• If the access is very narrow, you may consider scissor lift and spider boom lift due to their small dimension. Otherwise, a telescopic and articulated boom lift will be the best option.

4. Weight Capacity

You will need to account for how many workers (elbow room included) and gear will be loaded on the aerial platform. Normally it shall be 2 workers on the working platform to prevent overload. Check the total load and the dimension of the platform require for performing the task and compare it with the specification.

5. Type of Power Source

There are 2 main types of propulsion which are electrically driven, and diesel driven. Diesel is a popular choice for its availability and torque. 

• If you are working indoors, you should go for electrically driven because they are quieter and have no emissions.
• If you are working outdoor, either diesel-driven or electrical-driven will be suitable.

After considering all these factors, you need to refer to the specification and reach diagram of the equipment to confirm which model is suitable for you. It is very simple to read and understand. An example of the specification is this.

You should know how to select the most suitable MEWP for your job now. Learn more about what is Mobile Aerial Working Platform? 

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