Given the state of budgets and finances today, maintenance and engineering managers are wise to spend more time researching products and equipment before making a final purchase decision. They can use the same deliberate approach when renting equipment to ensure the expenditure delivers the intended benefit for the organization.

Consider one of the most commonly rented pieces of equipment in institutional and commercial facilities — aerial work platforms. Managers who find the answers to seven critical questions before calling a rental company to discuss equipment options can use the information to make sure they select the most appropriate aerial work platform.

Seven Questions

What size aerial work platform does the job require? Managers can answer this question by determining technicians' needs for height and reach, platform space for workers, materials and tools, and cubic space clearances for travel and storage.

For example, if technicians need to reach vertically to perform a task and that task is 20 feet above the ground, they can reach it with a scissor lift. But if the task is 200 feet high and requires a 20-foot horizontal reach, as well, they need an articulated boom lift with a 200-foot boom and a 20-foot jib.

Size also applies to the physical footprint and retracted height of the aerial lift platform. Will it fit through tight spots, such as interior doorways, when moving between job sites? Is adequate space available to store it when not in use?

What load capacity does the job call for? Capacity is a measure of the power needed to raise loads to the working height. If a task requires lifting only personnel with tool belts to the working height, it does not require as much capacity as it would if workers also need to raise an electric generator, air compressor, or paint-spray equipment to the working height.

Is the unit easy to use? If the task is a straightforward application, a manager can specify basic operating controls. But if the task involves a complicated combination of terrain and reach requirements, managers might need a computerized dashboard that calculates the load, matches it with the amount of slope on which the unit is parked, and analyzes the torque loads versus the machine capability to determine if the set-up is safe.

What power source is required? Generally, lighter capacities use electricity, and heavier capacities use diesel fuel or liquid propane, but a considerable overlap exists. Location also determines the power source. Inside work generally requires electric power, due to indoor air quality requirements. By contrast, renting a unit that uses diesel fuel would create noise and emissions problems indoors.

What options or accessories do technicians need? The application again comes into the picture. If workers need to weld at the working height, they need oxy-acetylene, electric arc, or wire welding or burning equipment on the platform. If they are changing fluorescent lamps, they need lamp holders that conserve space and minimize the chance of breakage. Other accessory options include electric generators, air supplies, power tools, cleaning equipment and fall protection.

What obstructions might be present? A walk-though of the work site can reveal several potential obstructions on the ground and overhead. Ground obstructions can include obstacles workers must maneuver around, including trees, guard rails, lamp posts, and other vehicles and equipment that can be in different locations.

Surface smoothness is another factor. If the surface is level and paved, such as a parking lot or an interior floor, solid tires will work. But if the surface is rough ground, sloping terrain, or rubble, the lift will require pneumatic tires and independent wheel suspensions.

Overhead obstacles can include electrical-distribution systems, piping, structural beams, columns, bridge overpasses, and low-hanging tree limbs.

What operator training is required? In the interest of providing a safe operator environment, agencies have developed standards for renting aerial lifts that include specific training methods.

For example, ANSI A92 says managers must train every operator and keep records of technicians who have received training. Managers also can use training CDs and include documentation procedures that allow each trained operator to sign off on the training. The rental agent also needs to conduct hands-on training for the specific aerial lift platform users are renting.

Continue Reading:

Lift Specification Guidelines

Seven Questions for Lift Specification

Lift Rental: How to Lower the Cost Per Job

Most scissor lift operators aren’t directly responsible for buying industrial equipment, but some companies like to get valuable input from operators. Their assessments and recommendations are helpful for purchasing departments when deciding which scissor lift they should purchase. This input includes:

• Daily operational requirements. Scissor lift operators are the best source of info on how long lifts are used each day, what type of work they’re used for, and other key factors.

• Work environment. Not all scissor lifts operate in the same workspace. Some are used for construction, while others are used for maintenance. Before buying a scissor lift, it’s a good idea to know what type of surroundings are involved – and scissor lift operators have this knowledge!

• Safety concerns. A scissor lift’s

  safety accessories

  – guide rails, safety harness attachments, fall protection components, etc. – are big factors to consider before buying a lift. With input from scissor lift employees, purchasing personnel will have a better understanding of which type of lift to buy.

Safety issues are important from an equipment standpoint, but it’s also critical for operators as well. ALC’s aerial lift and scissor lift training courses are ideal for new hires, veteran scissor lift operators, and everyone else involved with your company’s daily industrial equipment operations. Check out our courses to see how we can help your company’s safety plan.

Since maintenance is such a big part of scissor lift safety – OSHA requires regular inspections to promote safe use – we thought it would be a great idea to provide some tips and recommendations for scissor lift buys. Even though scissor lift operators probably won’t make the final decision when it comes time to sign the purchasing papers (or click “Buy”), the following suggestions can be used by your company’s relevant buying team to make a more informed, safety-first scissor lift purchase.

What to Do Before You Buy a Scissor Lift

Just like buying a car, a scissor lift purchase requires a list of functions you’re looking for, price considerations, and other important must-haves. You’d never walk into a dealership, look at the first car you see, and exclaim, “That’s the one for me!”

The same thing applies when you buy scissor lifts. With careful planning, solid research, and exceptional pre-purchase planning, your company has a better chance of buying a scissor lift that will be a dependable asset for years to come.

Here are some scissor lift purchase considerations: