Choosing the Right Power Equipment for your Outdoor Project

Guest Blogger #618, Entry #1468, August 16, 2012

When you are looking to undertake external home renovations or improvements you may need the assistants of powered access equipment to reach those high up maintenance or installation projects.  If you are working on your roofing, installing an Arial or Satellite or even painting your windows, access equipment can provide you with the easiest and safest access compared to the conventional ladders and outdated scaffolding.

Before you get up on the roof for a DIY project, rent a cherry picker instead

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When you are considering hiring a cheery picker consider these following points:

What do you need?

The world of powered access equipment can be confusing, if you have never ventured into the hiring industry it can be confusing and daunting.  Selecting the right equipment for the job in hand is again not easy, there are several areas of consideration; the height involved along with the width and terrain you will be placing the equipment on. You need to ensure you have enough room to carry out your renovations without over reaching the machines or stretching its limitations. If you are not sure what machine you need to hire there are plenty of online machine hiring selectors to help you find the right equipment for the job.

Understanding your worksite

The ground conditions surrounding your home are vitally important when it comes to the use of a cherry picker. It is advisable to undertake a visual inspection, consider the strength of stone and the ground around your home. Even surfaces are not essential but they will help keep the arm more secure in transition. You also need to look at what is above or around your home, work near overhead cables should be avoided at all costs. Try planning your route and the areas to station the hired equipment, if you need access to your property from the road on your street then you may need to seek authorisation from your local council.

Cherry Picker Operator

You might be surprised to hear that there is no legal requirement for operators to have special qualifications to use Cherry Pickers. If you using the cherry picker for domestic purposes you don’t need to worry about the same health and safety legislations as the commercial sectors, however it is advisable to take every precaution in the book to ensure you use the equipment safely and correctly.

Before you try and clean high windows, useful tips for renting power equipment

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Worst case scenarios

If you plan as discussed everything in advance you should find your project running along smoothly.  Having enough people around you to help you move and coordinate the machinery could further reduce the risks involved with hire access powered equipment. You should be provided with the essential saftery equipment when hiring your cherry picker; hard hat, highvis clothing and sometimes gloves.

Vehicle Operation 

You should be provided with clear instructions on how to use the controls on the cherry picker. The controls are not too difficult handle but it is important that you feel confident and safe to control the lift without causing damage or injury to yourself or your home. Locking the controls is something you need to ensure happens every time you are stationary, this will ensure the lift won’t move if you knock the controls whilst undertaking your home improvement.

It’s always advisable to ask your cherry picker supplier any questions you have before you hire out the equipment. You should find that many of the leading powered access equipment services will provided you with detailed instructions and a safety briefing before they let you of the forecourt. I hope this short guide has helped you understand a bit more about renting powered access equipment for your next home renovation.

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