When it comes to working in high-rise areas, aerial work platforms are highly demanded equipment to ensure a safe working environment, improve work performance, and reduce operational delays. There is a wide range of AWPs available, each with unique specifications and suitable for different industry applications.
For instance, the construction industry requires equipment that can navigate rough terrain, a forklift for warehouse management and material handling, and a spider lift for tree care. Every lift with a platform is designed for a distinct application. This is why it becomes essential for industries to have the right equipment for smart, safe, and efficient work performance at heights.
In this guide, we will share essential factors that you should consider while choosing an AWP and its importance in working at high elevation, helping you invest wisely and maximize safety and efficiency on your work site.
Why Choosing the Right MEWP is Important
Having the right aerial lift equipment plays a significant role in optimizing work performance. It is not just about reaching high elevation — it is about the safety, comfort, productivity, and cost-effectiveness in the working environment. Here is why making the right choice matters:
- Safety Compliance
The right MEWP, built with robust guardrails, offers easy access to height and reduces the risk of accidents and falls caused by overreaching or using the wrong equipment. With appropriate usage within stability parameters, it also ensures the safety of the operators when working on elevated areas.
- Job Efficiency and Productivity
With the right MEWP, operators can navigate around obstacles and speed up the process by reaching the ideal height, helping improve efficiency in work and reduce delays.
- Cost-Effectiveness
Using the inappropriate MEWP can lead to damage or may require repeated usage, contributing to project delays and increasing the project production costs, and even rental costs if you hire a machine.
- Equipment Suitability
Each MEWP offers distinct specifications suitable for high elevated work sites. Working height, load capacity, terrain capability, and space constraints are a few crucial factors that define the suitability of the right equipment.
- Operator Comfort and Control
Operators are trained with specific controls, ground conditions, and overhead obstacles when working on elevated areas. Using appropriate MEWP, operators confidently perform their tasks with safety and efficiency.
- Regulatory and Insurance Compliance
Using an appropriate MEWP but does not comply with industry regulations and standards can result in penalties and work stoppages, and can lead to loss of insurance coverage in an accidental situation.
- Long-Term Equipment Health
Proper use of the right equipment with regular maintenance scheduling protects it from wear and tear and requires lower maintenance in the long-run, extending the lifespan of the equipment and maximizing the ROI.
How to Choose the Right AWP for Your Project
There are a wide range of aerial work platforms available that come with distinct configurations and capabilities designed to perform specific tasks at height smoothly and safely. Selecting the perfect AWP from diverse options can be difficult. To avoid confusion and make your investment decision easier, we have compiled a guide with crucial aspects to consider when choosing a MEWP.
- Height and Reach
Understand the reach of the heights your work requires. If your need is to access extended vertical and horizontal areas to perform tasks, then boom lifts (Telescopic & Articulated respectively) are the best equipment for your work.
- Working Environment
Identify the environment of your work site. If you work in an indoor area where you need to cover a large area, then electric scissor lifts are are best because they are compact in size, have zero emissions, and offer low noise operation. All-electric vertical lifts can also be chosen for the same. While working in a rugged and uneven environment, rough-terrain scissor lifts and crawler spider lifts are perfect.
- Weight Capacity
This is one of the crucial factors to check out. If your work is associated with heavy tool lifting, then you must look for scissor lift models, with high load capacity & a stable platform that can carry tools and workers safely.
- Power Source
If your work environment is an indoor or eco-friendly zone, go for electric powered operating equipment, as they produce low emissions and noise during operations. On the other hand, you can pick an hybrid powered machine that can be used indoors on battery & also for outdoor use or heavy-duty tasks.
- Safety Features
Dingli India’s all MEWPs come with advanced safety features such as, Emergency Descent System, Tilt & slope sensors, Overload sensing system, Automatic braking & pot-hole protection, etc.
Easy-to-use smart control system and smart mechanisms that detect instability, other error or overload for secure and reliable performance.
To further support your operations, Dingli India also shares aerial work platform safety tips to help you stay safe & maintain productivity.
- Mobility
Mobility plays an essential role in reducing delays & improving efficiency. If your work involves frequent repositioning or setup, self-propelled scissor lifts, vertical masts & spider lifts are the best choice. They offer good maneuverability to navigate tight spaces with ease.
- Cost and Maintenance Requirements
Maintenance requirements can impact the overall investment in an AWP. If you are a budget-conscious buyer, then electric powered equipment is a smart choice as it requires less maintenance. It makes your investment more cost-effective in the long run.
For outdoor tasks, diesel powered rough-terrain lifts are a good choice but can be more expensive due to regular maintenance needs. But if you understand how to maintain aerial work platforms, it can help extend your equipment’s lifespan and reduce maintenance needs.
Explore Aerial Work Platforms for the Right Fit
Each mobile elevated work platform is built for a distinct industrial application. Let’s explore the types of MEWPs and understand which equipment can be used for which industry, helping you become aware of the use cases and the alignment with your work site required to find the right one that drives your work efficiency.
Boom Lifts
Boom lifts are designed to offer extended vertical and horizontal reach at height. There are two types of boom lifts: Articulated Boom Lift and Telescopic Boom Lift.
Use Cases:
- Construction & Maintenance
- Warehouse & Industrial Use
- Tree Trimming & Farming Picking
- Film & Event Production
Advantages:
- Versatile for Different Jobs
- Enhanced Safety for Elevated Tasks
- Excellent Maneuverability
- Increased Efficiency and Accessibility
Scissor Lifts
Scissor lifts operate using a crisscrossing mechanism and a hydraulic pump used for lifting from ground to desired height, and this lift also provides stable performance at vertical height. There are two types of scissor lifts: Electric Slab Scissors and Rough Terrain Scissors.
Use Cases:
- Construction
- Warehousing & Logistics
- Event Setup & Maintenance
- Painting and Cleaning
Advantages:
- Compact Design
- Quick Setup Time
- Built-in Diagnostic Capabilities (Model-Specific)
- Outdoor-Ready for Uneven Surfaces
Vertical Lifts
Vertical lifts extend vertically to move people at different heights. Dingli India offers a wide range of vertical lifts: Self-propelled Vertical Masts Booms, Push Around Vertical Lifts, and Stock Picker/Order Picker for weight lifting, primarily for inventory management.
Use Cases:
- Manufacturing Facilities
- Warehouses & Logistics
- Aviation and Automotive
- Hospitality
Advantages:
- Capable Load Handling for Tools and Personnel
- Reliable and Smooth Vertical Lifting
- Slim Profile for Narrow Access Areas
- Integrated Safety Mechanisms for Secure Operation
Spider Lifts
Spider lifts are versatile with extendable legs, designed for safe operation on rough terrain and in hard-to-reach indoor or outdoor areas.
Use Cases:
- Construction
- Maintenance
- Emergency Services
- Cleaning
- Advertising
- Tree Care
Advantages:
- Lightweight for Easy Access in Confined Areas
- Stable with Minimal Ground Impact
- Dual Power Source
- 360 Rotation and Intuitive Control System
Conclusion
When it comes to working on high elevated structures, safety and efficiency become challenging. This makes aerial work platforms an indispensable tool for today’s industrial & construction applications.
With proper equipment, you can streamline operations and reduce downtime, leading to optimizing budget and saving time. By keeping the factors mentioned above in mind, you can pick the perfect AWP for your worksite needs.
Have any doubts? We are here to help you.
Dingli India offers a wide range of aerial work platforms with various configurations, power options, and stable height access. We also provide expert guidance and training to ensure your investment is smart, safe, and effective.
