Powered Access Hire

Powered Access Technology

The range of options for powered access can be baffling to anyone considering powered access hire. As a quick summary, there are three basic types of powered access to consider.

These are scissor, mast and boom platforms. All three types provide the vertical movement needed to reach the target height. Mast lifts use telescopic mechanisms and also provide a little sideways access because they have horizontally offset cages. Boom lift platforms provide maximum flexibility, especially in articulated models.

For local transport and repositioning, powered access platforms have wheeled bases which are manually driven, towed by a vehicle or self-propelled. Please note that the drives on self-propelled units are intended for local use only, they must be transported from site to site using a vehicle. Large, ruggedized units with tracked carriage systems are ideal for heavy duty construction site use and use on soft or uneven ground.

There is a powered access hire solution for every need, ranging from small platforms for office, warehouse and retail applications through tracked platforms for site construction to vehicle-mounted powered units for mobile and agricultural use.

The Benefits Of Powered Access Hire

Powered access hire offers a cost-effective and convenient solution. Considerably less expensive than outright purchase, it is the perfect way to satisfy the needs of occasional or specialist users.

Powered access hire provides the customer with other benefits, such as the reassurance that that the product has been maintained and assessed for safety by the supplier’s experienced and appropriately trained technicians. Technical advice and even training are also offered.

Powered access hire customers will by definition be involved with working at height, so safety is of prime importance. The most appropriate powered access product should be carefully selected to suit the application. The supplier’s knowledge and technical expertise is invaluable in enabling the customer to pick the best machine.

The Right Powered Access Hire Solution

Before committing to a particular access product, use our quick guide. This will help in selecting the right platform for the job, cutting straight through the confusing array of lift types, platform sizes, working heights, safe working loads and more.

For applications such as plant and machinery maintenance and warehouse/factory operations where there is a need to reach over objects, select an articulated boom lift. Boom lifts generally have smaller platforms or cages than scissor lifts but have much greater flexibility because scissor lift platforms are by their nature limited to straight up/straight down operation. Maximum working height is not a problem, with machines offering platform heights from around 9m to over 40m. Bear in mind that actual reach height can be up to 2m further, depending upon the exact application and of course the height of the operator!

Many powered access applications simply require straight up-down platform motion. For these, a scissor lift is the most stable solution. These have larger platforms or cages than boom lifts and they are well suited to industrial installations, construction site and building work. Some mighty machines are available to cope with even the toughest construction projects. Platform heights on scissor lifts range from 3m to over 30m so there’s certain to be a perfect one to suit. All but the smallest ones are self-propelled, or can be towed using a vehicle.

In some applications, for example indoors, in warehouses or other enclosed spaces, clean and  quiet operation is highly desirable. Electrically driven products are the best option here. Diesel power is employed in heavier construction, and is the power unit of choice in models with high safe working load (SWL) ratings.

Telescopic or mast lift powered access products fill the gap between scissor and boom products. Motion is up-down only, or with limited angular motion.