There are different elevated work platforms meant to enable employees to work at heights. Whether it is rescuing lives from a building or washing windows, elevated platforms are commonly used for a wide range of occasions. They can be controlled to extend the lift in different directions, which may include up and over various applications. However, there are some types of aerial lifts designed to do different tasks. Here are some of elevated platforms.
The Spider
This type of elevated platform is also known as the boom lift and is often set up outside buildings and resembles a 4-legged spider. It resembles a cherry picker and was originally designed for orchards to pick high up fruits easily. Nowadays, the spider is frequently used for construction and maintenance of the overhead line, assist firefighters in areas that are hard to access and spruce up tall trees. The boom lift has a bucket at the end of the bottom where employees stand to access the work area. It is mounted on a vehicle so it comes with durable tires. It can be driven on uneven grounds.
Articulated boom lifts
These types of elevated platforms are also referred to as knuckle lifts and have a platform on an extended arm that can easily reach up and over various obstacles, resembling human fingers when you bend them. These lifts have a turntable at their base which allows these types of elevated work platforms to swivel in a full circle. This machine is used mainly for maintenance work and other jobs that are difficult to access. Articulated boom lifts can be used for repair projects on the exterior of structures including piping. They are convenient for areas that are hard to reach and can be useful on uneven ground.
Telescopic boom lifts
This is a commonly used type of aerial lift that is used for jobs that need maximum reach capabilities. With this lift, a work platform is mounted on a long and straight arm that sits on a movable turntable. These lifts aren’t like the articulated boom lifts that can easily curve and bend over objects. Telescopic lifts can only access areas that are at a direct angle or straight above. Window washing, electrical repair, and other maintenance tasks are the most common that use telescopic lifts.
Scissor lifts
These are some of the most preferred lifts and they can only move vertically. The upward motion of these lifts is achieved by the application of pressure to the exterior of the lowest set of supports, propelling the work platform vertically and elongating the crossing pattern. The elevated platforms may have an extended bridge that allows closer access to the job area, because of the inherent limits of the vertical-only movement. These elevated work platforms have limited uses compared to other types of lifts including telescopic and articulated boom lifts because they need to be situated directly under themselves. They can’t reach maximum heights. They are therefore the best for indoor problems such as painting and maintenance work.