Aerial Lifts

What to Know Before Buying a Boom Lift

Danielle Steinell — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 19:41:11 +0000

Finding the right boom lift for your operations is half the battle. These mobile elevated work platforms are critical to designing an efficient and safe approach your operators can depend on while working at heights. Establishing a secure workflow requires having the right boom lift equipment at your disposal. Let's look at what you should know before purchasing a boom lift to ensure you find the best model for your needs.

Types of Boom Lifts

Boom lifts are powerful tools, available in two main variations that are popular for raising one or two people to heights between 30 and 100 feet. While both options offer similar capabilities, they differ in performance:

Articulating boom lift: Also known as knuckle lifts, these tools use a jointed arm to enable movement around and over obstacles to access hard-to-reach areas conveniently.
Telescopic boom lift: This type of lift uses an extendable straight boom to enhance aerial reach at various heights, most commonly in outdoor locations.

What to Look for in Your Boom Lift

Once you understand the type of boom lift you'll need for your operation, you can begin to narrow down your options based on the following considerations:

Consider Your Location

Where you work is a crucial factor in your equipment choice. You'll need a mobile elevated work platform that can pass through doorways or entrances, maneuver around obstacles and successfully traverse the terrain without damage. Articulating boom lifts are ideal for indoor applications as they provide more flexibility thanks to their bendable arms and smaller footprints, while telescopic lifts offer optimized stability in larger areas.

Understand Your Working Height

Boom lifts are known for their impressive vertical extension and horizontal reach, known as range. These factors determine how high and far your bucket can stretch to access your work area. Compact models offer working heights between 30 and 50 feet of vertical lift, while larger options can often stretch to more than 100 feet tall. Selecting a model with a height capability that aligns with your warehouse layout will facilitate effective operations and a stable work environment to keep your team safe.

Choose a Power Source

Lifts can be powered by diesel fuel or an electric battery. While diesel-powered models are often more powerful and efficient, they require work to be done outdoors to avoid a buildup of toxic fumes. Electric options don't emit pollutants but need downtime and access to outlets or other power sources to charge.

Know the Capacity You Need

Depending on your operations, your team must carry various tools, supplies and equipment up to working height. You should estimate your lift capacity based on these factors to determine what lift is right for your needs. Standard boom lifts can typically hold up to 500 pounds comfortably, with various options offering strengths of up to 1,000 pounds. Understanding how much weight you're likely to have on a job will ensure you avoid undersized or oversized equipment, leading to unfinished operations or wasted fuel.

Learn More About Boom Lifts From LiftOne

Enhance your workflow with high-quality boom lifts from LiftOne. We carry a variety of mobile elevated from the industry's foremost manufacturers, offering the performance and safety your operations deserve. Contact LiftOne for more information about our construction boom lifts today!

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How Renting Mobile Elevated Work Platforms Can Save Your Business Time and Money

fxteam — Mon, 22 May 2023 12:03:00 +0000

Is it better to rent equipment or buy what you need? Determining the best answer to this question can be challenging if your business depends on mobile elevated work platforms like scissor lifts and boom lifts.

You want to ensure the equipment meets your job site requirements and allows you to perform tasks quickly and efficiently. The short- and long-term cost is also important for keeping the acquisition within your company's budget. And safety is always a concern for any operation that requires working at heights.

Pros of Renting Equipment

Renting aerial platforms provides an excellent solution for building out your fleet in a variety of situations. Choosing to rent can be beneficial in crucial areas of your business.

1. Cost Savings

If you decide to go with the option of renting, it presents a more cost-effective plan for your business. Producing a large sum for a down payment upfront won't be a main concern, which ultimately helps your cash flow and allows for flexibility in your budget. Additionally, you can avoid a lengthy commitment from a financing arrangement that could last several years.

Equipment service is another way you will be able to save money when renting. In most cases, the rental company covers any repair and maintenance costs during the rental term. This significantly reduces your operating expenses and helps your bottom line.

2. Increased Fleet Flexibility

You probably don't need every type of aerial lift platform for each job, especially if your company primarily takes on small-scale or specialized tasks. Renting enables businesses to select the right equipment for the job, without being tied down to a specific piece of equipment that may not be versatile for all tasks.

You'll be able to control the size of your fleet as the demand changes, allowing you to avoid storage costs. You'll also find it easier to match lift platforms with specific job site tasks, improving productivity and efficiency.

3. Try Before You Buy

Maybe you've had your eye on a scissor lift or boom lift and you're considering adding it to your fleet. The rental process allows you to take it for a risk-free test drive to ensure the equipment is the right fit for your business. Rent it for a few days, a week or however long it takes to make an informed judgment. An equipment trial can prevent you from making a substantial investment in a model that falls short of your expectations.

4. Ability to Make Fast Replacements

A broken-down or malfunctioning aerial platform could bring your operations to a standstill. Renting enables you to quickly get the right equipment in order to keep the job moving forward. Many reputable, service-oriented rental companies offer same-day delivery to minimize unproductive downtime.

5. Access to Newer Equipment

Material handling equipment technology continues to evolve. The latest aerial platforms include advanced technologies that allow you to rapidly and efficiently complete jobs. LiftOne Rents provides a broad selection of late-model equipment that will significantly improve your job site performance.

Another advantage of renting newer equipment is optimal reliability — due to rental units getting frequent inspections, you'll have fewer concerns about mechanical failures putting you behind schedule. The superior service and preventive maintenance practices implemented by a reputable rental solutions provider will give you more peace of mind.

6. No Depreciation Concerns

A brand-new piece of equipment begins to depreciate as soon as it leaves the dealer's lot. The longer you own it, the less value it will provide when the time comes to trade or sell it. Servicing the truck as it ages is an additional concern regarding the overall value.

When you rent with LiftOne, you have access to the latest and most advance equipment, which can ultimately save time and improve efficiency on the job site. You won't have to worry about keeping up with competitors when you have access to the latest aerial lift models.

7. Fewer Logistical Hassles

Many businesses can't spare the labor resources required to transport equipment to and from a job site. Aa a customer-focused rental provider, we will ensure your work platform gets to the location on time, allowing you to assign your personnel to more productive tasks.

Additionally, you won't need to find storage space for it at your facility. Aerial lift equipment takes up a lot of space and storage costs can add up. You can avoid these costs and only use the equipment when you need it when choosing to rent.

LiftOne Rents Can Help You Decide Whether to Rent or Buy Lift Equipment

Are you trying to determine whether to rent or buy warehouse equipment, aerial lift platforms or other material handling solutions? Do you conduct business in North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina or Tennessee?

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Avoiding Common Mobile Elevating Work Platform Accidents

kristina — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 12:06:15 +0000

Mobile Elevating Work Platforms, also referred to as boom lifts, scissor lifts, MEWPs and formerly Aerial Work Platforms, are used in construction, maintenance, and repair work and enable crews to perform tasks at greater heights. If not used properly, lift equipment can be hazardous. While JLG, Genie, and other leading manufacturers incorporate advanced safety features when designing their equipment, on-the-job accidents can still occur.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lists numerous hazards associated with aerial lift equipment. Examples regarding workers include individuals falling from the platform, being struck by falling objects while on the ground, electrocutions, and coming into contact with other surfaces. Regarding the lift itself, potential hazards include equipment failure and a loss of stability, which could lead to major injury and property damage.

Leading Causes of Common Mobile Elevated Work Platform Accidents

Lift accidents can occur for numerous reasons. The main reasons being operator errors, equipment malfunction, or a combination of both. The following are a few of the most common mistakes and accidents relating to aerial lift equipment.

1. Ignoring Potential Surrounding Hazards

Neglecting to check the work environment or surroundings can lead to detrimental mistakes. Before using the equipment, operators should conduct a pre-use inspection to review the job plan and look for utility lines, overhead hazards, weak supporting surfaces, or heavily trafficked areas. If operating outdoors, verify weather conditions will not adversely effect the MEWP.

2. Improper Training

Most mistakes involving aerial lift equipment occur because operators have not received adequate training. Workers cannot legally operate this equipment without meeting OSHA and ANSI certification standards. Periodic retraining may be necessary to refresh crews on safe practices if operators have not operated for an extended time.

3. Failing to Properly Inspect Equipment

Mobile Elevating Work Platforms require a pre-start or pre-use inspections before operation, which varies from other equipment inspection standards. Because these machines are responsible for lifting people, the inspection before each use must come from the manufacturer’s operator manual.

Common inspection points include ensuring decals are legible, there are no dents in the platform rails, and hydraulic hoses are free from damage. If the lift cannot pass inspection, it should be removed from service until proper repairs can be completed. Consider auditing your operators’ inspections to ensure accuracy.

4. Lack of Proper Fall Protection Equipment

Falling is a constant risk with any work at height. To minimize the risk of a lift-related accident, companies must enforce proper safety guidelines and make sure their workers are always wearing the appropriate gear.

When operating a scissor lift, fall protection is strongly encouraged. When using a boom lift, it is required. If operators will have a fall distance less than nineteen feet, companies must require fall restraint systems be used. If exiting the platform at height, operators may need two lanyards to ensure they are continually protected. Companies should ensure all personnel tie off to designated anchor points.

5. Poor Maintenance Practices

Mobile Elevating Work Platform owners are responsible for completing annual and frequent inspections with a qualified technician to keep equipment in top shape. Operators must verify that this inspection has been completed before starting their pre-start/pre-use inspection.

These inspections may highlight poor maintenance practices that could lead to equipment failure. Other items found may include improper repairs completed by unqualified personnel. If discovered, companies must remove the equipment from service until each item has been addressed. OSHA regulations prohibit employers from forcing workers to operate unsafe equipment. Employers are expected to follow OSHA guidelines and create a safe environment. Thoroughly checking the lift before use and identifying issues that could develop into hazardous situations are vital steps in the pre-use inspection.

Turn to LiftOne for Your Mobile Elevating Work Platform Service Needs

Do you operate a business in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, or Georgia that relies on lift equipment? LiftOne is a full-service dealer you can trust to help you create a safer and more productive work environment.

Besides selling and renting equipment from leading manufacturers, we offer expert repair and maintenance services to keep them on the job. We also provide OSHA-compliant training designed to prepare your operators and trainers to safely work alongside your equipment.

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The Ultimate Aerial Lift Safety Guide

Alison Grabowski — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 17:10:00 +0000

If your facility uses mobile elevated work platforms, implementing aerial platform safety protocols is vital to keeping operators and other employees safe. Misuse can lead to inefficiency, downtime, damaged items and personal injuries. At LiftOne, we want to help you establish a workplace culture dedicated to safety.

This guide will cover the importance of aerial lift safety, suggested training processes, safety tips and recommendations for employing a warehouse safety culture.

Jump to Sections:

The Importance of Warehouse Safety
Equipment Operation Training Process
4 Tips for Safe Aerial Lift Operation
How to Create a Warehouse Safety Culture

The Importance of Warehouse Safety

Mobile elevated lift platforms are crucial for various material handling tasks. Despite their usefulness, operating equipment at such heights can put your employees at risk.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration dictates that only trained personnel may operate aerial lifts. Proper training can reduce workplace accidents, improve efficiency and maximize your equipment’s uptime.

Equipment Operation Training Process

At LiftOne, we offer various training curriculums, including “Train the Trainer” courses. These classes are OSHA-recognized, and they prepare operators to offer on-site training to the rest of your employees. Our personalized training opportunities can teach your employees aerial platform safety.

Operator training has several benefits, including lower repair costs and higher productivity. A well-developed training process ensures each operator has the experience they need to operate the equipment in your facility. LiftOne can offer courses for your entire staff or a single operator.

Technical training addresses your facility’s specific needs. You can connect with our team to arrange comprehensive technical training for various tasks like performing diagnostics on your equipment.

4 Tips for Safe Aerial Lift Operation

Here are four tips for promoting aerial lift safety in your facility.

1. Train All Operators

Develop a consistent training process. An in-house employee can receive certification and training materials through a Train the Trainer course, or you can outsource training.

As you implement training procedures, check in with operators to ensure they feel the new curriculum is effective. Anyone operating equipment should be able to assess the facility for possible safety hazards like beams and overhead lines.

2. Perform Regular Maintenance

Before an operator uses a mobile elevated work platform, they should take time to inspect the lift for fluid levels, signals, hydraulics, air and electrical systems, and any emergency controls. Any loose or missing parts are a top priority, and they require immediate repair or replacement.

3. Operate All Equipment as Intended

Speed, height, and weight limits may seem like they hinder your productivity, but they’re vital for safe operations. Mobile elevated work platforms have safety features to protect your operators. No one should override those features for any reason.

If a piece of equipment has specific safety hazards, make sure your employees are aware of them. For example, educating your operators on scissor lift safety tips can help them identify nearby equipment that could tip the lift.

4. Choose Equipment Engineered for Safety

Select equipment from trusted manufacturers. Well-made equipment is vital to your facility’s operations. Choose mobile elevated work platforms you can depend on. Various styles exist to meet your material handling needs, so you can choose purpose-built lifts for your company’s tasks.

How to Create a Warehouse Safety Culture

Encourage operators and other personnel to use resources to make your facility safer. Wheel chocks, outriggers, and brakes add stability to midair operations, and your facility likely owns these tools already. It’s important to provide equipment like harnesses for boom lift safety.

You can also discourage unsafe practices, such as using ladders and scaffolding on mobile elevated work platforms.

Start With Safer Platforms

At LiftOne, we carry reliable aerial lifts to meet your facility’s needs. Browse our selection of new mobile elevated work platforms and rental aerial lifts.

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Aerial Lift Maintenance Guide

Alison Grabowski — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 16:43:00 +0000

Knowing how to care for your industrial aerial lifts properly is essential. With a boom lift safety checklist, you can keep all your operations in order and ensure a smooth performance. This aerial lift maintenance guide will provide all the information you need to stay safe and aware.

Aerial Lift Maintenance Tips

Before you can use one on the job field, it’s critical to know how often your scissor lifts and boom lifts need to be inspected.

While most businesses conduct major lift inspections at least once annually, certain policies may differ depending on your work hours and applications. A normal aerial lift inspection may involve checking the brakes, air pressure, fluid levels, lifting and moving mechanisms, lights and gauges, battery, safety controls and more.

Some tips to keep in mind when you perform regular aerial lift maintenance include:

Frequent inspections. While annual inspections are required within 13 months from the previous one, frequent inspections are also required every 3 months/ 150 hours by a qualified technician. You should schedule these inspections with your dealer to ensure your equipment is in the best shape.
Clean your lift. Keeping your aerial lift clean is a smart way to reduce the effects of wear and tear. A clean lift is better equipped to do its job effectively, and it’s safer for operators as well.
Create a plan. The best way to meet lift maintenance requirements is to create a plan and stick to it. Your schedule may depend on a variety of factors like the type of lift you own and the work you’re doing. You’ll also need to make sure the plan is in line with traditional OSHA maintenance standards.
Keep a record. Record every inspection you do, including shorter daily checks. Keeping a log of your equipment’s condition is a critical part of maintaining schedule consistency. It can also reduce your liabilities in the event of an accident.

The Importance of Proper Care for Mobile Elevated Work Platforms

Adhering to these lift maintenance requirements is a reliable way to lower your costs and maintain worker safety. If you operate in warehousing or distribution, you need to make sure your equipment receives the proper care.

While on the job, anything can happen. By monitoring your mobile elevated work platforms regularly for performance, you can catch issues early on. Maintenance helps you uphold regulatory standards, and it makes your workers more confident in the workplace.

How to Extend the Life of Your Equipment

Keeping your equipment up to standards is about more than safety. It’s also about making the most of your investment. These quick tips can help you extend the life of your equipment and maximize its value:

Take preventive measures: Instead of waiting for a breakdown, you can keep your aerial lift up and running with preventive measures. This allows you to stay ahead of wear and tear, which can take a toll on your equipment.
Invest in operator training: Improper use can also have an effect on your mobile elevated work platform. Operator training ensures your workers are properly equipped to handle tough applications.
Know your equipment: If you want to keep your equipment running strong for years to come, you need to know all the details of its operation. Pay attention to its behavior and make sure you know what’s normal, and not, for your lift equipment.

Speak With a LiftOne Expert to Learn More About Our Parts and Maintenance Services

If you’re interested in learning more about boom lift and scissor lift maintenance requirements, LiftOne is just a phone call away. We have purchase options and rental options for your convenience. You can speak with one of our experts today for details about the services we offer.

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How to Pick the Right Aerial Lift

developer — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 05:00:00 +0000

Whether you’re looking for a new or used aerial lift or an aerial lift rental for your shorter-term project, it’s crucial to know the requirements of the job – and your equipment – before you invest.

Jump to Sections:

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Renting or Buying an Aerial Lift
When Should I Use a Vertical Mast Lift?
What’s the Difference Between an Electric-Powered and Engine-Powered Articulating Boom Lift?
When Should I Use a Telescopic Boom Lift?
When Should I Use a Scissor Lift?

Different aerial lifts serve diverse purposes, from accessing hard-to-reach places to increasing warehouse inventory management efficiency; your project will determine which lift will best serve your purposes. Read on to decide which aerial lift will be perfect for your next job.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Renting or Buying an Aerial Lift

Is your project indoors or outdoors?
Will you need a heavy-duty lift for rough-terrain, or a compact platform for tight warehouse spaces?
What vertical and horizontal distances will you require of your machine?
What is the total weight your lift will need to hold – including both materials and personnel?

The answers to these questions will inform your equipment-buying process. With these questions answered and your equipment requirements defined, follow our comprehensive buying guide to decide which type of aerial lift is right for your project.

When Should I use a Vertical Mast Lift?

A vertical mast lift is a light-weight, vertical aerial lift that works best in inventory management and stock-picking projects on an even-surfaced warehouse. Vertical mast lifts are light-weight and compact, typically accommodating one operator and handling up to 500 pounds. This means these machines work well for smaller scale warehouses in which heavy load-lifting is not required. This is typically the lowest cost option when you need to eliminate ladders and scaffolds.

Vertical mast lifts can be electrically self-propelled or manually pushed into position depending on the weight and power your work requires. They can achieve elevated work heights from 15 to 40 feet.

A vertical mast lift is best utilized:

When you’re looking to cut costs and increase efficiency in your warehouse inventory management processes
In indoor areas requiring low clearance and minimal emissions
In light-weight, vertical lifting projects on even surfaces

What’s the Difference Between an Electric-Powered and Engine-Powered Articulating Boom Lift?

Articulating boom lifts, sometimes referred to as “knuckle booms” for their multiple hinged sections, allow for maneuverability in hard-to-reach worksites. These lifts work well in tight, congested areas in which you need to work around obstacles like overhead conduits and pipes.

In choosing the right lift, consider your emissions requirement; you can choose between engine-powered lifts, which offer substantial power and mobility over rough terrain, and electric articulated boom lifts, which are quiet and sustainable in an even-surfaced, indoor area.

Used an electric-powered articulated boom lift:

On projects that involve hard-to reach areas and congested workspace
In a warehouse with tight corners, confined spaces and there’s requirements for little sound disruption
When work height requirements range from 30-45 feet
When inside and don’t want poisonous emissions accumulating

Used an engine-powered articulated boom lift:

On outdoor projects where overhead obstructions prevent direct access to your work position
When engine emissions accumulation are not an issue at your worksite
When you have to reach work heights from 40 to over 100 feet elevation
When traveling over rough terrain on a construction worksite or when you require a boom with 4 wheel drive

When Should I Use a Telescopic Boom Lift?

A telescopic boom lift is simpler than an articulating boom in that it’s boom has no “knuckle” and merely protrudes out from the base in a straight line. Operators must be able to access the working position directly using lift and telescopic functions. These powerful lifts offer working positions from 40 to well over 100 feet with a maximum lift height to date of 185 feet on the largest models.

Contractors searching for extensive reach and not limited to a tight space will find telescopic booms useful in replacing scaffolding. While not as versatile as the articulating boom lift, these lifts have very high performance in large-scale, outdoor construction projects.

On outdoor job sites requiring larger vertical and horizontal reach distances
When traveling over rough terrain to a construction worksite, or when you require a boom with 4-wheel drive
When you’re working from a distance
When you’re looking to increase power and speed on your jobsite
As a lower cost option to the articulated boom lift of equal lift height

When Should I Use a Scissor Lift?

Scissor lifts are named for the crisscrossing metal supports that elongate to lift the platform vertically. These sturdy lifts can tackle your warehouse inventory project or your outdoor project on uneven terrain, depending on the power source and model you choose.

Like vertical mast lifts, electric, low-clearance scissor lifts work well in warehouses with even flooring and where low emissions are required; engine-powered scissor lifts can travel across rough, outdoor terrain with 4-wheel drive technology.

Scissor lifts are best suited for:

In jobs that are mostly vertical; some models come equipped with small extension decks
Electric: In low-clearance indoor workspaces that require limited emissions
Engine-powered: In outdoor jobs that require all-terrain transport of equipment and require only vertically raised platforms

With this equipment breakdown and thorough analysis of your project, you can determine the best aerial lift for you. From an electric scissor lift for your low-emissions warehouse project or a 4-wheel drive telescopic boom lift for an expansive construction job, we’ll assist with all your aerial lift needs.

LiftOne carries both Genie aerial lifts and JLG aerial lifts; check out our new equipment or used inventory to browse extensive options. Looking for more of a short-term equipment rental? We can help with that, too. Visit one of our convenient locations for further information and help in choosing the best aerial equipment for you.

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