The Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Purchasing double mast aerial work platform

In the world of intricate construction, choosing a suitable aerial work platform (AWP) holds top priority. This detailed guide covers the essential aspects of an aerial work platform choice, managing the interrelation between project requirements, safety guidelines, and technical characteristics offered by different platforms.

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This guide serves as an essential guide for all industry professionals who aim to make their operations safe and efficient in elevated work environments. This article engages in a detailed discussion of such constituent facets of appropriate AWP selection for your project.

What is an Aerial Work Platform?

An Aerial Work Platform (AWP), also referred to as an aerial device, elevating work platform or simply a mobile elevated working module is one of the mechanical devices liable for administering temporary access either to people or equipment in areas that are hard-to-reach places and especially when such reach includes heights. The term combines several varieties that refer to a particular field of use and have typical operation-specific, carrying capacity indicators or peculiarities in safety systems. Below are some of the popular types of AWPs:

Towable boom lift:
This AWP works as an aerial lift and a trailer at the same time. Designed for small spaces indoor & outdoor operations, this has a swinging telescopic boom with infinite tilt adjustment that can access the narrowest area. Towable boom lifts are also useful in the maintenance of public works due to the fact that they can be moved without problems from one working place to another.

Scissor lift:
Just like the trailer boom lifts, this AWP is also meant for both indoor and outdoor use but has a wider platform with more weight capability. Scissor lifts function in vertical movement using an accordion-type mechanism which is run by hydraulic cylinders, these types of platforms are very stable and suitable for most heavyweight jobs. They are most applicable in operations like construction, installation as well as maintenance.

Push around mast:
The main advantages of push-around mast AWP are the small size and low weight, which allow it to reach confined areas that can only be reached along narrow doors or corridors. It has a small footprint and is easily maneuverable by manual pushing to its destination. These AWPs are often used in meeting rooms, retail stores, offices as well hotels and hospitals. This device also has its safety gears in place like non-marking tyres and emergency lowering systems.

Driveable mast lift:
Applications that involve long distances and changes in location often make use of a drivable mast lift. This AWP has a larger platform compared to the push-around mast and is fitted with driver and lift machinery. Driveable mast lifts are widely employed in warehouses, factories, and distribution centers.

Importance and application of aerial lift in various industries

The aerial work platforms are vital equipment used across numerous industries. They offer an eco-friendly era & a much safer alternative to the conventional means for reaching high areas that are otherwise hard or impossible to get.

• Construction: Most of the jobs in construction sites are from heights which necessitates availing aerial lifts as one of the key tools used by this line.
• Retail: One common phenomenon associated with retail stores is that signs and displays have to be constantly modified. In particular, aerial lifts have improved working at high levels of shelves and walls instead of ladders, reducing the chance of accidents that could damage goods.
• Warehousing: In warehouses and distribution centers, aerial lifts are used for inventory management in addition to loading and unloading trucks as they reach high storage shelves. Narrow aisle-equipped AWP particularly eliminates the issues of navigating through narrow aisles, allowing for practical maximum use of space in these facilities.

Tips for Increasing Aerial Work Platform Productivity

1. Regular Inspection and Maintenance: Make sure that regular check and maintenance on your aerial work platform is done. This will increase the longevity of the equipment and improve its performance hence increasing productivity at large.
2. Professional Training: Operator training should always be in-depth. Professionals are better placed to use the systems more effectively thus fewer disruptions will be caused by accidents or misuse of equipment.
3. Optimal Equipment Selection: Select the appropriate AWP for your task. All Aerial work platforms are not the same, and being able to select an optimal one can improve efficiency by substantial statistics.
4. Effective Planning: If possible, organize your work day in such a way that reduces the time for relocating. The idea is that the more time an operator can use to work productively, and less on platform positioning.
5. Safety Measures: Follow on-premise precautions and safe practices to avoid accidents. This minimizes hassle and maintains a constant work process.

Important Factors to Consider When Choosing an Aerial Work Platform for Your Work

1. Job Requirements: Analyze the peculiar needs of a specific case at work. Determine the maximum height requirement, and weight limit, and determine whether there are specific requirements for an articulating joint or telescoping functions. Carefully analyze the aerial lift work scope before buying.
2. Work Environment: Evaluate the environment under which AWP will run. However, electric-powered units with non-marking tires might be useful during an indoor task while diesel-fueled machines with the ability to travel rough outdoor terrain come in handy.
3. Ease of Use: Try to find platforms that are not too complicated so that they do not impress you with a difficult level of control. This could save on time and costs of training.
4. Safety Features: Look out for safety attributes such as guardrails, platform surfaces with non-slip features, and emergency stop buttons. Needless to say, safety concerns are one of the factors that should be taken into account when choosing a specific AWP.
5. Budget: Lastly, think about how much the platform costs. Make sure that it remains affordable to you and still covers all the essential job needs and safety standards.

Aerial work platform safety features you need to know

• Guardrails: Make sure that the AWP has sturdy guardrails to prevent workers from falling off.
• Non-slip Surfaces: Non-slip surfaces should be incorporated into platforms to increase the level of safety.
• Emergency Stop Buttons: These offer instant stoppage of operations in emergency cases. It's among the most important aerial work platform safety features.
• Fall Arrest Systems: Go for AWPs that have their personal fall arrest systems.
• Tilt Sensors: These alert the operator if the platform is operating beyond what will constitute a safe tilt of operation.
• Load Sensing Systems: These do not overload the platform, making it safer.
• Wind Speed Sensors: These sensors are critical to outdoor operations and stop operations during high winds as a preventive measure against accidents that may occur.

Wrapping up!

In conclusion, the decision to select a specific type of aerial work platform is made by taking into account several factors that include job requirements, working conditions, and whether it can be easily used or not safely used as well as how much. Thus, through a close examination of these features and the choice of your desired operation platform ' you will guarantee a safe and smooth running in any work elevated situation.

There are several different types of aerial work platforms.

• Work platform or work basket

This type consists only of a working platform with railings, also known as the work basket. It has no lifting mechanism. Lifting is carried out by a load-bearing machine such as a crane or forklift truck.

This is the least expensive option on the market (from '400 to '2,000).

• Articulated boom lift

This type of aerial work platform has a work basket mounted at the end of an arm with one or more joints. This configuration gives great freedom of movement, making it easy to get around obstacles and reach hard-to-reach areas.

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It can provide a working height of up to 40 meters.

• Telescopic boom lift

This type of lift is also known as a straight boom lift. Its work basket is placed at the end of a telescopic arm that extends straight out for a direct reach. Compared with other types of aerial work platforms, telescopic boom lifts have the greatest lateral reach, enabling them to access the highest working heights from the ground. Some models also feature a pendulum section at the end of the telescopic arm to facilitate approach in certain situations, such as overhanging work.

It can provide a working height of up to 55 meters.

• Scissor lift

Scissor lifts are equipped with a scissor mechanism, or a series of criss-crossed folding hydraulic supports, that allow the work platform to rise. Scissor lifts can lift heavy loads (up to 1,000 kg) compared to other types of aerial platforms (an average of 200 kg).

They can provide a working height of up to 20 meters.

• Mast boom lift

This type of lift is ideal for indoor work that doesn't require too much lateral movement. Mast boom lifts work well in confined, hard-to-reach areas.

They can provide a working height of up to 12 meters. 

• Spider lift 

Spider lifts are equipped with stabilizers integrated into the chassis, which enable them to operate on steep terrain. There are two types of configurations possible for spider lifts: articulated boom lifts with a multidirectional arm and telescopic boom lifts with a telescopic arm.

They can provide a working height of up to 30 meters. 

• Vehicle-mounted lift platform

Lift platforms can be mounted on motorized vehicles, such as heavy trucks, light vehicles, small trucks, vans, utility vehicles, pick-up trucks, or tractors. The lifting system can be either a telescopic arm, an articulated arm, or a scissor mechanism.

Lift platforms on light vehicles enable work to be carried out at heights of between 10 and 27 meters. 

Lift platforms on heavy trucks enable work to be carried out at heights of up to 70 meters.

• Suspended platform

Suspended platforms, or suspended scaffolds, consist of a work platform suspended by cables and hoists. Unlike other types of aerial work platforms, suspended platforms are not operated from the ground, but from an elevated point, such as the roof of a building. This allows for work to be carried out at heights of over 100 meters. Suspended platforms can be installed temporarily or permanently, for example, to carry out periodic maintenance on a building.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Double Mast Aerial Work Platform. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.