Cherry picker hire
A cherry picker, also called boom lift, is a type of aerial work platform that has an extensible arm (either a straight arm or an arm that can bend) that can reach areas not accessible from directly below. Cherry pickers are used for maintenance, inspection, painting, firefighter or emergency access, and tree trimming.
The price for hiring a cherry picker depends on its vertical and horizontal reach, and its maximum working load.
Cherry picker hire guide
Cherry picker being used
for trimming trees.
What is a cherry picker? Where does the term come from?
A boom lift, commonly referred to as cherry picker, is a type of aerial work platform that has an extensible arm that can reach areas not accessible from directly below. A cherry picker is used to provide temporary access to areas at height. There are two main types of boom lifts: articulating boom lifts have arms that can bend, while telescopic boom lifts have straights arms. The first cherry picker was developed in the 1950s by Jay Eitel, who founded Telsta Corporation, primarily focused on producing cherry pickers for the utility industry. Today, cherry pickers are used much more broadly, including for maintenance, inspection, painting, firefighter or emergency access, and tree trimming.
How high can a cherry picker reach?
The maximum working height of a cherry picker varies from ~10m to 60m for the largest variants.
Maximum wind speed for using a cherry picker?
As a general rule, cherry pickers should not be used when the wind speed is above 12.5 m/s. However, always refer to the cherry picker's identification plate or operator manual to get the exact maximum allowed wind speed. Also, take into account that gaps in buildings or places where wind gets concentrated can have higher wind speeds compared to the surroundings. The same goes for working at heights. Always make sure to measure the wind speed from the platform with an anemometer and make sure it is not above the maximum allowed wind speed listed on the identification plate or in the operator manual.
Which cherry picker should I hire?
Aside from the regular articulating or telescopic boom lift, there are various variants of those available for hire:
- Van-mounted/truck-mounted cherry picker: cherry picker installed on top of a van or truck allowing you to drive around to different areas or worksites during the same hire.
- Spider cherry picker: boom lifts that has extendable legs for improved stability and safe operations, resembling the appearance of a spider.
- Tracked cherry picker: cherry picker that is equipped with tracks, which makes it better suited for an uneven surface.
Additionally, you should take into account the following characteristics of the cherry picker, where the type of job you are accomplishing will determine which cherry picker you need: working height, outreach, safe working load, and platform size.
What is the recommended safety equipment when hiring a cherry picker?
When using a cherry picker it is recommended to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Recommended safety equipment for a cherry picker consists of the following: safety helmet, protective footwear, protective gloves and harness.
How to correctly fit a safety harness?
Step 1
Hold the harness up by the shoulder straps and ensure the leg straps hang free.
Step 2
Pass arms through the shoulder straps.
Step 3
Connect chest buckle.
Step 4
Adjust shoulder straps so the rear ‘D’ sits between the shoulder blades.
Step 5
Pull harness down at the back so the sub-pelvic strap sits under the buttocks.
Step 6
Connect leg buckles and adjust to a snug fit.
