Environment
The first question to ask is whether you will work indoors or outdoors. Indoors it is recommended to use a zero-emission electric machine. Although, there are exceptions, such as propane gas machines only if no people are around. Outdoors generally, a diesel or gasoline machine is the best choice. In addition, it is not recommended to use any machinery in climates such as snow or heavy rain for safety reasons. However, some accessories allow you to work in these conditions if needed.
Land
Know the conditions of the land in which you will work. If working indoors, non-marking tires should be considered. It is necessary to know technical data on the resistance of the floor, such as the thickness of the concrete, the resistance of ceramics or wood, etc. On the other hand, outdoors, where the terrain is usually more complex, selecting a four-wheel drive option is better. It is important to have stabilizers on sloping ground. You must have information on sewers and underground pipes, which are often hidden.
Access
Check if there are any access restrictions to access the work area. If inside, the machines will pass through doors and lift shafts, or the site has plant weight restrictions. A good solution is manual lifting platforms. They are light machines with easy access for work and can lift pretty high. They allow safer, faster and more efficient work.
Access permits
Request permits before work for the area to attend and to be delimited to confirm that the MEWP is suitable for the place.
Working height
The height and distance we need to go are essential to choosing the machine. It must be considered that the maximum working heights are assumed to be 2 meters above the height of the platform (foot level). Consider if other machines work in the same area, tree branches, power cables, or any aerial obstacle that does not allow us to articulate the machine to reach our work area.
People in the basket
Take into account how many people will go up with the weight of tools included
Depending on how many people and the weight of the tools to climb also determine what machinery to use.
The next thing is to select the type of machine that is needed
You must determine if it is to reach a vertical height only and if you need a horizontal reach.
For vertical access, scissor lifts may be best. When working on flat surfaces, unipersonal or low-height platforms are ideal.
When working over obstacles, articulating work platforms provides a versatile solution because they can be moved to any height, changed positions without lowering the equipment, or reassembled as the unipersonal platform needs.
According to your group:
Group A The vertical projection of the center of gravity of the load is always inside the overturning lines
Group B The vertical projection of the center of gravity of the load can be on the outside of the rollover lines
According to your mobility possibilities
Type 1 Translation is only possible if MEWP is in a transport position
Type 3 The translation with the work platform in an elevated position is controlled by a device located on the work platform
1A “Vertical Static” Type 1 Group A
1B “Static arm” Type 1 Group B
3A “Vertical Mobile” (Scissor Lift Platform) Type 3 Group A
3B “Mobile arm” (Articulated arm lifting platform) Type 3 Group B
Each category has PROS and CONS (considerations)
personal
Raises a person with tools up to approx. 150 kg
Very useful to handle and be used in light terrain
It can be moved in confined spaces (elevators and doors)
Lightweight when transporting (transported with a van)
Economic rent or purchase and, therefore also, maintenance
Scissors
Uploads more than one person and tools, traditional models up to 360 kg (but some exceptions can lift more people and weight).
Can be moved elevated while working
Narrow, which is why it is easier to use in racking aisles and goes through common doors, both in height and width.
Static articulated arm
They raise and articulate their arms, turning 180 degrees
They are fixed to the workplace, so they cannot be moved elevated, but this allows the basket to have a great reach with very little weight.
It can be transported with another vehicle. For example, there are trailer models that can be towed by a truck and van-mounted models, such as cable installation vehicles on public roads.
It has a low cost of rent and maintenance.
Mobile articulated arm
They raise and articulate their arms, turning 180 degrees
Move even with arms raised
There is a model for each type of terrain
They are the heaviest and bulkiest pieces of equipment in terms of the height they can lift, so they need good space and firm ground.
It has several levels of control and maintenance, a little more complex than the rest. The daily inspection includes the need for basic mechanical knowledge, which must be acquired in a course or familiarization.
