Used Access Tower

Access tower hire is a great solution for short-term use but small construction and maintenance companies (and indeed keen do-it-yourself-ers) may find that the product is required for extended time periods or for their day-to-day company activities.

In such cases, longer term rental may become prohibitively expensive. At the same time, buying in a complete brand-new tower system may well represent capital expenditure that simply cannot be met. The obvious solution is of course a used access tower. Providing that the purchaser uses a few precautions before going ahead, this is a superb way to obtain a safe, capable access solution at an effective price.

Buying And Selling A Used Access Tower

It’s worth remembering that demand for used access towers is strong and it may therefore be cost-effective to make a used purchase, use the product for a period of time and then offer it for sale again once the need for it is satisfied. With a little diligence, it may well be possible to recoup most of the initial cost in this way.

Safety Issues For Used Access Tower Users

Potential buyers of a used access tower will of course be expecting to use it when working at height. Operator safety is paramount.  Each year in the USA alone, between 150 and 200 people die as a result of falls from work platforms. As many as 100,000 incidents result in the injured party requiring hospital attention. Commercial users must adhere to all relevant regulations, for example by using guard rails, toe boards and lanyards. In some localities, the regulations are relaxed for domestic non-commercial users, but our advice is to respect the recommended working practises even for domestic do-it-yourself (DIY) operations.

Inspection: The Essential Component

It is absolutely essential to inspect a used access tower prior to purchase. If there is no opportunity to inspect the product then the risks are simply not tenable and the item should simply be avoided. Inspection should be carried out by a competent person with direct experience of access tower assembly, maintenance and operation. There are too many issues to cover them all in detail here, but the inspection might include checking for cracks and fine damage in aluminium components or dents and bends in steel parts.

All Present And Correct?

All locking components, springs, clips and so on must be present, complete and in good condition. It is desirable that the original manufacturer’s instructions are available with the product, but in the absence of these be sure that it is clear how to assemble and disassemble the used access tower and how to safely transport it from site to site.

Used Access Tower Outlets

There are plenty of used access tower sources to choose from. Hire companies dispose of old stock through the used market and frequently advertise used items on their websites. Online auction sites have lots on offer – although these are perhaps the places where opportunities for inspection are most limited and risks may be higher.

Finally, note that access towers are intended for use as temporary access solutions. They should only be used by suitably trained personnel. They are not suitable for long-term access or public use.