Yardwork that takes you to great heights comes with some degree of danger. Any time you use a ladder, for instance, you’re taking your life into your own hands. No matter how often you use ladders and how many safety precautions you take, all it takes is one bad fall to get seriously injured. You may even experience permanent injuries. So how can you perform essential tasks around your yard safely? By renting an aerial lift from Williams Equipment and Supply! Aerial lifts are especially beneficial on jobs that require tools and equipment to be used while up high because taking these items up and down a ladder is not only difficult but dangerous. Keep reading to find out more on how you can perform yard work safely with aerial lift rentals!
Know the Lift You’ll Need
Before you rent a lift, take some time to understand which lifts are better for various jobs and working environments. Lifts are not all designed equally, and using one in a situation it wasn’t intended for can cause problems.
For instance, standard scissor lift moves straight up and down and works well on flat surfaces, but it’s stable on uneven surfaces. Obviously, this can create a safety hazard, especially when using a lift to perform yard work because many yards aren’t entirely flat. Rough terrain scissor lifts are available, but they’re a bit harder to find since not every company carries them.
Boom lifts are an option much better suited for outdoor use on uneven ground. They have a more significant range of motion thanks to an articulated arm with a platform or bucket mounted on the end of the arm. With boom lifts, you can more easily reach up and out and rotate the lift. It’s a great solution if you need to reposition the lift you work.
There are several different types of boom lifts as well, such lifts with an articulating arm or a telescoping arm.
Telescoping Boom Lifts
These lifts feature a working platform attached to a straight boom that can extend to great heights, allowing you to reach the highest tree branches safely. While their straight booms can only provide vertical lift, many telescoping boom lifts have rotating bases, giving them a superior horizontal range of motion compared to a scissor lift.
Articulated Boom Lifts
An articulated boom lift has a jointed boom that can move the working platform horizontally more easily than a telescoping lift. Probably the most useful type of aerial lift for tree pruning projects, articulated boom lifts are ideal for navigating around large branches or reaching the top or underside of a large, bulbous crown of foliage.
Like scissor lifts, boom lifts are available in both electric and diesel-powered models. Many boom lifts designed for use on rough terrain are also available, including specialized lifts fitted with tracks that can be particularly useful on waterlogged ground.
A Safe and Stable Work Platform is Important
The main advantage of performing yard work with an aerial lift has a stable platform as compared to a ladder. The platform is broad and flat, so you can work comfortably with all the tools you need right by your side. Lifts are available with different sized platforms, so talk to your Williams Equipment and Supply team member about the ideal size for your work needs. Our associates are a great resource to get exactly what you need and get the most out of your rental.
Consider Height and Weight Capacity
Aerial lifts come in many different sizes and, therefore, different height and weight capacities. It’s crucial to consider the capacity of the lift you’re using is appropriate for the project, so you don’t overload or overextend it. The platform capacity can range from 350 pounds to well over 500 pounds, depending on the model and the manufacturer.
The height of the lift is also important, but again, they differ from one machine to another. Smaller lifts may only lift the platform 30 feet in the air while large boom lifts can reach as high as 140 to 150 feet about the ground.
Safe Operating Practices
An aerial lift is relatively easy to operate. Still, before using one for the first time, it’s a good idea to ask your Williams Equipment and Supply Associate for a lesson on how to operate the lift you’re renting safely. Once you get the lift to your worksite, take some time to get comfortable with the controls in an open area so you’re familiar with them and how the lift moves. This will make the job easier, as well as safer.
It’s also a good idea to block of the area around lift while you’re working, so people don’t walk under your work area and risk getting hit with a falling tool or debris from the job. Cones and safety tape or bright colored rope work well to keep people out of the area. If you’re working in a residential area, consider asking any children to remain inside during the time you’re working, as they may be less likely to follow directions about where they should and shouldn’t go.
Anyone working on the lift should take the necessary precautions to avoid falls. Always wear a safety belt that clips into the platform while you operate the lifts. Position a spotter on the ground to help you maneuver the lift if you need to reposition yourself and keep people out of the work area. As a general rule, don’t operate any potentially dangerous equipment with someone else around.
Williams Equipment Helps You Get the Job Done Safely
Performing yard work safely with aerial lift rentals can make your experience at home so much brighter. We’re committed to helping our Mid-South customers get work done without compromising safety or convenience. Any of our associates can help you find the equipment you need for your best day at work.
Contact us or visit a store today to get what you need to get any job done right.