How to select the right EWP for your project

EWPs (Elevated Work Platforms) come in a wide range of functions – electric scissor lifts, rough terrain 4x4 diesel scissor lifts, diesel articulating boom lifts to electric boom lifts. Not all EWPs will be the right fit for any project as each job or project is different. It is worth taking a moment to establish the scope of the job and selecting the right machine.

It pays to take into consideration the project itself, if your project is putting in light bulbs, indoors at a fairly low height then a mast lift or one-man lift would be sufficient however if you are putting up flashing outdoors having to go over a balcony then a articulating knuckle boom will likely be the more appropriate machine for the job.  

Things to consider:  

• Does the project require you to lift vertically or to reach at an angle, possibly to gain access over an obstacle?
• The terrain - smooth, flat surfaces or uneven ground
• Indoors or outdoors or both
• Hazards and restrictions such as doorways

A brief outline of the standard options available, for specialty equipment please call the team:

Electric Scissor – most popular use for indoor projects - warehousing, installation, fit-outs, and maintenance.

Rough Terrain – these are tough machines, perfect for outdoor use. Big platform and high lifting capacity compared with indoor electric scissor lifts  

Straight Boom – also know as telescopic or stick booms offer greater horizontal reach then any other type of EWP.  

Articulating Knuckle Boom – these have multiple sections that articulate like a hinge which makes them versatile to go up and over and work around obstacles. Perfect for tight access and hard to reach places.  

Electric Articulating Knuckle Boom – Perfect for indoor use, significantly when in an area when a regular diesel lift is not suitable. They can come in smaller sizes for reach and fitting into smaller spaces.  

Mast lifts – perfect for those small spaces, easy to maneuver around obstacles. Lighter and does not require a lot of stow space required.  

Check out the deck extensions if available for reach and accessibility and also the ranch charts if available. Here is an example of a range chart:

Safety is paramount:

Before locking in the machine make sure your operators are properly trained, licensed, and have access to certified safety equipment, manuals and logbooks when required.

For best practice check out the WorkSafe website here.