When deciding what equipment to use in your work-at-height project, you’ve likely heard the term ‘cherry picker’ or ‘boom lift‘ thrown about. But what is a cherry picker machine, and is it the right choice for your needs?
In this guide, the experts at Horizon Platforms explain what a cherry picker is, so you can decide if it’s the MEWP for you.
What is a Boom Lift?
A boom lift, or cherry picker, is a powered access platform used to safely lift people up and over obstacles when working at height. It features an extendable boom, also called a “boom lift,” which is raised by a hydraulic crane. This telescopic arm is connected to a bucket, known as the jib, where workers control the platform. As the boom is elevated, the bucket rises as well, enabling the operator to access difficult-to-reach areas or heights with precision.
Why is a Cherry Picker called a Cherry Picker?
Boom lifts gained the name ‘cherry picker’ because they were originally used to elevate farm hands to the higher branches when picking cherries. Nowadays, they are used for a broad range of work and industries.
Is a Cherry Picker a MEWP?
A cherry picker is a type of Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP). This means it is an access platform that can be moved from place to place rather than a stationary piece of lifting equipment. Other types of MEWP include:
You can learn more about scissor lifts in our blog ‘What is a Scissor Lift?’
What Are Articulated and Telescopic Boom Lifts?
Within boom lifts, there are two main types.
An articulating boom has a joint or knuckle which allows it to lift up and over or up and around, perfect for jobs at height where you may have to manoeuvre around an obstacle.
A telescopic boom extends in a straight line, giving it much further reach than an articulating boom, although it cannot handle obstacles.
Other types of cherry pickers include:
- Spider lifts, sometimes called crawler lifts, have up-and-over reach capability for tricky, hard-to-reach spots. Their more compact size makes them great for indoor applications, though they are also known to perform excellently on challenging terrain thanks to their use of outriggers.
- Mast booms allow the operator to move up and down in a vertical direction. They’re an ideal choice for more confined spaces at lower heights.
What is a Cherry Picker Used For?
Cherry pickers have uses in several industries. Construction is likely the one that springs to mind first, but there are so many more uses, including:
What Are The Benefits of a Cherry Picker?
A cherry picker has so many advantages for your work at height, including:
- Increased safety: Cherry pickers significantly decrease the risks by removing the need for workers to climb up and down to do their jobs at height.
- Speed and Productivity: Cherry pickers can raise a worker up and over obstacles easily, saving time and allowing the worker to conserve energy for the job.
- Ease of Access: For cherry pickers with a knuckle, you can handle shelves, structures, and other obstacles that would otherwise prevent you from completing your task.
- Carry Items: Platforms also help to safely transport tools and materials up to the project at height, removing the need for workers to carry them and helping to avoid strains and injuries. Of course, it is important that the Safe Working Load (SWL) is not exceeded.
See our blog ‘Why You Need a Cherry Picker’ to learn more about how these machines aid your work from height.
What Safety Precautions Should Be Taken with a Cherry Picker?
A cherry picker is a complex machine and should be regularly inspected to ensure everything is in working order.
When you hire a cherry picker with Horizon Platforms, you can be sure it has been checked thrice: once when it arrives back at our depot, then a thorough examination, and a final inspection before we deliver it to you. When you buy an approved used boom lift from PlatformSupermarket.com (powered by Horizon Platforms) you get the same meticulous level of machine preparation.
When operating your cherry picker, you should perform daily checks before commencing work for the day. Also regularly check the machine’s LOLER hasn’t expired when hiring a boom lift over several months.
You’ll also need to perform a risk assessment before your MEWP project, identifying all potential hazards, such as ground conditions, to make sure precautions have been put in place. Also, keep an eye out for weather disturbances. It is also vital that the people operating your boom lift are correctly trained and licensed.
What Training is Needed to Operate a Cherry Picker?
According to HSE, “MEWP operators should have attended a recognised operator training course” and received the relevant Powered Access Licence or IPAF PAL card for the platforms they will use. For cherry pickers, this will be either an IPAF 1B or 3B operator course, although combined IPAF courses are also available for those who wish to learn to operate multiple MEWPs.
At Horizon Platforms, we’re proud to say that our IPAF courses have an amazing 96% pass rate and we offer courses at our training centre or your site if you prefer.
Which Cherry Picker Should You Hire?
There are many key factors to consider when choosing cherry picker for your work at height:
- How high do you need to reach? Our cherry pickers come in a range of heights and reaches, with working heights up to over 40 metres.
- How wide should your platform be? If you have many tools and materials, you may need a wide platform to accommodate them. At the same time, if you are working in a constricted space, you may need to consider a smaller platform.
- How heavy are your materials? Each platform has its own weight capacity, known as the Safe Working Load (SWL). You need to make sure your cherry picker can handle the weight of your workers, tools, and materials to prevent overturns and breakdowns.
- What environment are you working in? Numerous environmental factors influence what MEWP you need, including whether you’re indoors or outdoors and ground conditions outside.
- Electric, diesel or hybrid? Cherry pickers are available with various fuel types, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your purpose, location and environmental goals.
Why Hire a Cherry Picker with Horizon Platforms?
Horizon Platforms has a wide variety of cherry pickers to suit your needs, plus all the training courses you need to operate them safely. With a 98% trouble free hire experience, Horizon Platforms is the go-to for reliable powered access rental.
Committed to Your Success
At Horizon Platforms, we have eight key commitments to our customers to ensure we consistently provide a great service. These include commitments to communication and support, platform quality, health and safety, efficiency and speed of delivery.
Proudly Accredited
We’re delighted to say that we have a triple crown of ISO accreditations, an IPAF Rental + certificate and a bronze rating from the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme, among many more.
UK-Wide Hire
Our proximity to major motorways, coupled with an elite partner network, allows us to provide cherry pickers across the UK, from the north east to Greater London, and from Scotland to Wales.
Environmentally Conscious
We take our sustainability and social purpose responsibilities seriously, with an EcoVadis Silver Rating and numerous charitable pursuits.
Hire Cherry Pickers Your Way
Horizon Platforms has a variety of hire options to suit each client. If you prefer to contact us, we’ll answer the phone in just 15 seconds, day or night. Or, try our HireHub, a personalised hire portal with a dashboard to hire, off-hire, extend contracts or track spend and our performance.
See our guide to HireHub to learn more.
Explore Horizon Platform’s cherry picker fleet today for safer, more efficient work from height.