Maintaining and cleaning jobs at heights requires the best tools to get workers into positions without safety concerns. You want to make sure anyone working on upper-floor windows or handling banners or lighting around a business complex can do so via a secure platform for complete efficiency. Sometimes, this will mean hiring a standard cherry picker for a day or two. There is, however, another option. Boom lifts can be more effective depending on the job and your budget. Here are some pros and cons of cherry pickers and boom lifts.
The Pros And Cons Of Cherry Pickers
Cherry pickers are popular when hiring rental equipment for businesses because of their simple operation and security. These machines are best for when you have one job at a high elevation in one spot. The stability of the machines and the hydraulic lifts means you can raise and lower workers as needed to get them closer to where they need to be.
The name comes from the ability to use these to get into trees and harvest fruit more easily. Workers can stand in the stable baskets and be raised and lowered as needed for better access. They also have both hands free to carry out their work as safely as possible. Today, cherry pickers are ideal for similar agricultural work, building cleaning and maintenance tasks, and installing lights or signs.
The biggest issue with these machines is the lack of mobility. You can set cherry pickers up underneath the tree, building, or street light that needs attention and raise the basket via the hydraulic lift. However, these machines don’t have the controls or self-propulsion to reach other areas from that stationary base. That means lowering the basket and moving the machine into a new position before restarting work. This method can be time-consuming if you’re trying to carry out cleaning or maintenance work across a wider complex area rather than just one building.
The Pros And Cons Of Boom Lifts
By comparison, boom lifts are a much more versatile and maneuverable option for those more complex jobs. One of the key differences in the design is the flexible arm. There is often greater freedom of movement with this jointed arm. This, along with the controls within the basket, allows users to position themselves in more places without the need to come down and reset the machine in a different position. You could have the device parked up in a safe place within a plaza or away from the entrance to a building and then move between light fixtures, windows, or trees, depending on the job.
On top of that, the best boom lifts in rental equipment for businesses have strong wheels that make them far more portable than cherry pickers. You don’t have to worry about loading these onto a truck to transport them across the complex. All of this should mean that workers can carry out their tasks with much more independence and do so more efficiently than they would with a cherry picker.
The most significant drawback of these boom lifts is the cost. When you put these two types of machines side by side, you’re going to find that it’s more costly to rent a boom lift. It makes sense because it’s a more sophisticated machine. You will have to factor this into your budget and look at different plans to get the best deal. However, don’t be put off by the cost because it could pay off. If you can complete all your necessary work across the complex in a day with a boom lift, that’s potentially cheaper than needing to hire a cherry picker and its transportation for two days. You may also want to consider finding boom lifts for sale if you hire them regularly. You may end up saving a lot of money in the long run.
What To Look For When Hiring Boom Lifts
Maximum Reach
The reach on boom lifts and cherry pickers could be a deal breaker, depending on the task at hand. The higher the reach, the easier it is to carry out cleaning or maintenance work on taller buildings. The listings on the website hiring out business equipment should have this listed in the following places:
Controls
The only way to get the best out of the maneuverability of a boom lift is to have user-friendly controls. Where possible, check the specifications for listed models for hire to see how they operate and what users can do once they’re up in the air.
Tires
If you want a self-propulsion boom lift, it must be easily driven around to suitable locations. A solid 4×4 system with thick tires should make the boom even more versatile and reliable. You could park it up on paved areas outside company buildings or get it over more unstable land at a commercial orchard.
Visibility
Visibility is also important when working on boom lifts in public areas. The brighter the color, the better the chance pedestrians, delivery drivers, and other people using the complex will see it in operation. That’s why you’ll find that many top models come in bright orange to make them stand out.
Serviced
Lastly, checking a listing for a boom lift for hire is a good idea to see if it has been serviced recently. Most reputable companies will ensure that their machines are maintained and in prime condition before hiring them out, but it’s helpful if they have the last service date. This provides peace of mind that the machine won’t develop faults.
Cherry Picker Or Boom Lift?
Sometimes, saving money and getting a cherry picker makes sense. It all depends on the scale of the job and the money available to hire rental equipment for businesses. A boom lift could be the more effective solution if you have multiple windows to clean, trees to harvest, or lights to fix. Look at the models available for hire and compare their features to get the best one for your needs.
