Tips for Busy Operators of Heavy Construction Equipment

Posted on: 30 July 2019

Whether it is a boom lift or a scissor lift, access equipment is essential in any construction project. However, selecting a lift that meets your needs is no easy task with a variety of choices available in the market. Therefore, project managers need to consider certain factors to ensure that they are getting the right equipment for the job. That said, most project managers narrow their focus on three areas: reach, the primary source of power and maximum capacity. While these factors are integral when renting boom and scissor lifts, more needs to be done. This article looks at some of the most overlooked factors when hiring construction access equipment.

Confined Areas — Construction sites differ, and while some have squeezed or confined areas, others have open spaces. Therefore, it is vital to consider worksite characteristics when renting a boom lift or scissor lift. The reason for this is that working at height in confined spaces can be difficult with lifts that have standard wheels. For instance, a worker needs to make several turns when working in limited spaces on a boom lift with standard wheels. Not only does it waste time, but the back and forth movement also increase the chances of hitting nearby walls and obstacles. However, the same equipment works effectively in open spaces. For confined work areas, you want a piece of access equipment that features zero-turn wheels since it allows for quick maneuvering in tight spaces.

Degree of Site's Ground Gradient — Another factor that most construction managers forget a lot is the gradient of a worksite. While most construction site terrains are rough with high and low points, most boom/scissor lifts can handle different slopes. Therefore, most construction managers don't bother to consider the degree of steepness on their terrain. If you have a good idea of the gradient level of your worksite, then you can choose access equipment that provides adequate stability. For example, if the terrain is too steep, then you need to rent equipment that has extra support features such as retractable stabilizers. When the scissor lift is on steep grounds, a worker can deploy the retractable stabilizers for added safety when working at height.

 Need for Additional Workspace — The platforms on boom/scissor lifts are available in different sizes depending on the load capacity of the lift. While the available space is enough for most worksite needs, a worker might need to carry additional material and equipment to maximize the equipment's load capacity. Regrettably, some construction managers fail to consider the need when hiring access equipment. Consequently, the facility managers end up with a lift that has a small workspace that doesn't suit the company's productivity needs. By examining your workspace needs, you can know whether to rent a scissor lift with an extendable platform or one without.

If you are looking to hire access equipment, contact a company that offers these services in order to learn more.