Working at height requires more than simply choosing a machine that can reach the required level. The right Aerial Work Platform (AWP) or Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) should match the working height, horizontal outreach, site conditions, available space, load requirements and nature of the application.
From construction and infrastructure projects to warehouses, manufacturing plants and facility maintenance, different job sites demand different types of access equipment. Choosing the right machine can help improve productivity, simplify operations and create a safer, more efficient working environment.
At RE Lift, our range of access equipment is designed to support a wide variety of work-at-height applications. Here are some of the most important factors to consider when selecting a machine for your job site.
1. Start With the Required Working Height
The first consideration is simple: How high do you need to work?
Every aerial work platform has a specified platform height and working height. Your machine should provide sufficient height for operators to comfortably reach the required work area without operating at the extreme limits of the equipment unnecessarily.
For lower-level maintenance, installation and warehouse applications, a vertical lift or compact scissor lift may provide everything you need. For high-rise construction, industrial maintenance or infrastructure projects, a larger boom lift may be required.
Selecting equipment according to the actual working height helps avoid both undersizing and unnecessarily deploying a larger, more expensive machine.
2. Determine Whether You Need Vertical Reach or Horizontal Outreach
Height isn't the only factor.
Some jobs require operators to travel almost directly upward, while others require them to reach over structures, machinery, pipelines or other obstacles.
Scissor lifts primarily provide vertical elevation and are particularly useful when operators need a larger working platform.
Vertical lifts provide compact access for lower-height tasks, especially where floor space is limited.
Boom lifts provide both height and horizontal outreach, allowing operators to position the platform closer to difficult-to-access areas.
For applications involving obstacles, articulated boom lifts can provide additional positioning flexibility, while straight or telescopic boom lifts are suited to applications requiring significant horizontal outreach.
Understanding the movement required at the work area is therefore just as important as knowing the maximum height.
3. Consider the Available Working Space
A machine may have the required working height but still be unsuitable if it cannot physically access or operate within the site.
Before selecting equipment, consider:
- Entrance and doorway dimensions
- Machine width and overall dimensions
- Turning radius
- Available floor space
- Overhead restrictions
- Obstacles surrounding the work area
- Access routes to the working location
For warehouses, commercial buildings and industrial facilities with restricted access, compact scissor lifts and vertical lifts can be particularly effective.
Where access is extremely restricted or ground conditions require a specialised solution, spider lifts can provide an excellent combination of compact dimensions, working height and positioning capability.
4. Understand the Ground and Site Conditions
The surface beneath the machine plays an important role in equipment selection.
Indoor facilities generally have smooth and relatively level floors, while construction and infrastructure sites may involve rough terrain, slopes, loose surfaces and uneven ground.
For finished indoor floors, compact electric equipment is often the preferred solution. For demanding outdoor environments, rough-terrain machines with suitable tyres, ground clearance and drive capabilities may be more appropriate.
Site assessment should also consider the equipment's weight and whether the surface can safely accommodate the machine.
Choosing equipment designed for the actual terrain can improve stability, mobility and overall job-site productivity.
5. Electric or Diesel?
Power source is another important consideration.
Electric Equipment
Electric aerial work platforms are well suited to warehouses, manufacturing facilities, shopping centres and other indoor or environmentally sensitive applications.
They generally provide quieter operation and zero exhaust emissions at the point of use, making them particularly useful in enclosed environments.
Diesel Equipment
Diesel-powered equipment is commonly used for demanding outdoor applications where higher power, rough-terrain capability and extended operation are required.
Construction sites, infrastructure projects, industrial facilities and large outdoor maintenance applications frequently rely on diesel-powered access equipment.
The correct choice depends on the working environment, operating duration and performance requirements of the project.
6. Select the Right Type of Aerial Work Platform
Different machines are designed around different access requirements.
Boom Lifts
Boom lifts are designed for applications requiring significant working height and outreach. They are widely used for construction, structural work, industrial maintenance, installation and infrastructure projects.
Articulated boom lifts provide flexible positioning around obstacles, while straight or telescopic boom lifts provide extended horizontal reach.
Scissor Lifts
Scissor lifts provide primarily vertical movement with a spacious working platform capable of carrying operators, tools and materials.
They are commonly used for installation, maintenance, warehousing, electrical work, construction and facility management.
Spider Lifts
Spider lifts combine a compact machine footprint with stabilising outriggers and impressive working capabilities.
Their ability to access restricted areas makes them particularly useful for building maintenance, specialised industrial work, landscaping and applications where conventional access equipment may struggle to reach the work location.
Vertical Lifts
Vertical lifts are compact solutions designed for work where operators need straightforward vertical access.
They are particularly useful for inspection, electrical work, maintenance and installation activities inside warehouses, commercial buildings and industrial facilities.
7. Consider Platform Capacity
Working height often receives the most attention, but platform capacity is equally important.
Consider how many operators will use the platform and whether they need to carry tools, components or materials.
A machine should be selected according to its rated platform capacity and the actual requirements of the application.
For jobs involving multiple operators or substantial equipment, a larger platform with suitable capacity may significantly improve productivity.
8. Think Beyond the Initial Purchase
Choosing equipment shouldn't stop at comparing machine specifications.
Industrial equipment requires maintenance, spare parts, technical knowledge and ongoing support throughout its operating life.
Access to genuine spare parts, trained technicians and reliable after-sales support can have a significant impact on equipment uptime and the overall cost of ownership.
This is why RE approaches equipment as more than an individual machine.
Through the RE equipment ecosystem, customers can access equipment solutions alongside the support required throughout the equipment lifecycle.
9. Buy New, Buy Used or Rent?
The right machine doesn't always need to be acquired in the same way.
Businesses with consistent equipment utilization may benefit from purchasing new equipment, while companies looking to expand their fleet at a lower initial investment may consider quality used machines.
For short-term requirements, seasonal demand or project-specific applications, rental equipment can provide additional flexibility without long-term ownership.
Across the wider RE ecosystem, customers can explore:
RE Lift for new access and work-at-height equipment.
RE Used for quality pre-owned equipment.
Rentease for rental equipment and project-based requirements.
This gives businesses greater flexibility to choose an equipment model that matches both their operational and commercial requirements.
Choosing the Right Machine Starts With Understanding the Job
There is no single aerial work platform that is ideal for every application.
Working height, outreach, platform capacity, site access, terrain, power source and operating environment should all be considered before selecting equipment.
The right choice is the machine that meets the requirements of the job without adding unnecessary complexity.
At RE Lift, we combine equipment knowledge with practical industry experience to help businesses select access solutions suited to their applications. From boom lifts and scissor lifts to spider lifts and vertical lifts, our growing equipment range is supported by genuine parts, technical expertise and after-sales support.
The right height. The right reach. The right machine.
Explore RE Lift and find the right access equipment for your next project.