Working Overhead: Aerial work platforms
Published in: Rocky Mountain Construction
Date: 8/9/2004
How to select an aerial work platform to meet your job requirements
Many jobs require reaching overhead areas. Sometimes it’s no more than six feet off the ground, other times it can be 100 feet or more. But no matter how high, accessing those overhead areas safely is a concern to everyone.
In years past, overhead access was accomplished by climbing ladders or erecting scaffolding. Today more and more people are getting to overhead work faster and more safely by using aerial work platforms. These machines quickly elevate workers directly to an overhead area so no time is wasted erecting scaffolding and energy isn’t wasted climbing up to the job. They do it more safely too since a protective guardrail around the platform always surrounds them.
Aerial work platforms can be purchased or rented and are available in a variety of styles and sizes to fit almost any overhead access need. With such a wide variety of machines available, there’s a model that will match your needs whether you’re using it indoors or out-of-doors, on a solid concrete surface or in mud. But selecting the right machine requires more than just knowing how high you want to reach. If you don’t look at ALL your needs, you may end up with a machine that doesn’t work like you planned. Here are some of the things to consider when selecting a machine.
Obviously platform height (how high will it reach) is the number one criteria. But what good is a machine that is capable of reaching the desired height if, because of jobsite conditions, you can’t position the machine directly under the work area. In this case you need to look at both height and horizontal outreach capabilities. You need to determine where you can position the machine first, then you can determine what machine will give you the combination of height and horizontal outreach you need to access the work area.
Now let’s look at some other things to consider when selecting the right machine for the job. Is the work area located inside or outside? Various power sources are available including gas, diesel or dual fuel engines, and AC or DC power to meet these different applications. Where noise is a concern in outdoor areas, electric-powered boom lifts up to 60-foot height are available.
What is the operating surface? Is it a concrete slab or soft earth? Is it level or sloped and is it firm enough to support the machine weight? Boom lifts with additional outreach or rough terrain scissorlifts with outriggers may be required.
What is the operating location? Is it a congested area that requires a tight turning radius or where amount of tailswing is important? Are there any floor load requirements where a lighter machine may be necessary? Are there any overhead obstructions that must be maneuvered around to reach the work area? If so, you may have to use an articulated boom or a boom with an articulated jib to reach up and over obstacles.
Next, check the platform capacity of the machine to determine how many people and tools or supplies it will hold. You’ll also want to look at the platform size to make sure it will provide you with adequate working area and that it will accommodate your largest load.
Once you have decided on what type and size of machine best meets your needs, consider the type of work you will be performing from the elevated platform and what tools you will be using to do the work. Along with electrical outlets and airlines on the platform, today’s leading manufacturers offer a variety of optional features that will increase your productivity even more when you reach the overhead area.
Built-in generators in the base, with power cable and air/water lines running through the boom to the platform, are available to power everything from welders and plasma cutters to saws, pressure washing systems, and lighting packages. Using these integrated tool systems in the platform increases productivity, eliminates the need for costly ancillary equipment and provides a much safer working environment since you don’t have wires or hoses running over the side of the platform to the ground.
After you have reviewed your job requirements, there are still other things to consider before deciding on which aerial work platform is best for your application. No matter what machine you select, you have to be able to move it from its point of delivery on the job and around the job site to the actual work area. Here too there are many things to consider.
Look at the terrain around the job site, is it flat or sloped? If it’s sloped you may need a machine with more grade-ability. And if there’s a lot of debris scattered around, you may need a machine with higher ground clearance. Then look at the surface you are going to travel over. If it’s soft or muddy you may need 4-wheel drive or a machine with a crawler undercarriage. You can also choose from a variety of tire options including foam filled, pneumatic, or high floatation “turf tires”, or solid non-marking tires for use on wood flooring or tile and marble surfaces.
Finally, determine if there are any weight restrictions in places where you will be using the machine. Many areas like parking structures, bridges and sidewalks have load limits. Also, look overhead to see if there are any low clearance areas where the stowed height of the machine might be critical, and see if there are any “tight” areas you need to pass through where a narrow overall machine width or tighter turning radius might be required.
Aerial work platforms have changed the way we work. They make us more productive and provide a much greater degree of safety than any other method of accessing overhead areas. With the wide variety of products on the market today, there’s a machine for almost any application. So take the time to review all of your needs and jobsite parameters before selecting a machine, and ask questions before you order. It could save you a whole lot of time and trouble on the job.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Reed Business Information, Inc. (US)