Access equipment is essential for completing tasks that involve working at heights, from construction and maintenance to installations and inspections. In New Zealand, a variety of access equipment is available for hire, each suited to specific needs. Whether you’re working indoors or outdoors, on smooth or rough terrain, understanding which type of equipment best suits your project is crucial. Below are some of the most commonly available access equipment options for hire, including electric scissor lifts, rough terrain scissor lifts, cherry pickers, vertical personnel lifts, knuckleboom lifts, telescopic boom lifts, spider boom lifts, and telehandlers.
Electric Scissor Lifts
Electric scissor lifts are designed for indoor tasks where emissions, noise, and manoeuvrability are key concerns. These lifts provide vertical elevation through a criss-cross support system and are known for their stability and ease of use in confined spaces. Their battery-powered operation makes them ideal for indoor environments, such as warehouses, factories, or shopping centres.
When to Use: Electric scissor lifts are best for tasks that require moderate heights and need to be completed in quiet, emission-free environments. They are perfect for jobs like installing fixtures, maintaining indoor lighting, or working in tight spaces.
Rough Terrain Scissor Lifts
Rough terrain scissor lifts are built for outdoor projects where the ground is uneven or challenging to navigate. These lifts are diesel-powered, providing the strength and stability needed to work on construction sites, over gravel, or on other rugged surfaces. Their larger platforms and higher weight capacities also allow for transporting more tools or materials while elevated.
When to Use: Rough terrain scissor lifts are ideal for outdoor construction, maintenance, and repair jobs that require elevation on difficult ground conditions. Whether it’s working on a building façade or outdoor installations, these lifts provide the stability and power needed for such tasks.
Cherry Pickers
Cherry pickers, a type of boom lift, are mounted on trucks or trailers, making them highly mobile and convenient for jobs that require quick setup and relocation. Originally designed for picking fruit, cherry pickers are now commonly used for tasks like cleaning windows, installing signage, and conducting electrical repairs. They offer both vertical and horizontal reach, making them versatile in accessing hard-to-reach areas.
When to Use: Cherry pickers are the go-to choice for tasks that involve frequent movement between job sites. They are perfect for short-duration jobs that require flexibility and mobility, such as tree trimming, utility maintenance, or mobile repairs.
Vertical Personal Lifts
Vertical personal lifts, also known as mast lifts, are compact and designed for indoor use in tight spaces. These lifts provide vertical access for a single person and are highly manoeuvrable, making them ideal for small spaces like narrow aisles or between warehouse shelving. These battery-powered lifts are easy to operate and can be set up quickly for jobs requiring elevation in confined areas.
When to Use: Vertical personal lifts are perfect for tasks such as changing light bulbs, installing ceiling fixtures, or conducting maintenance in areas with limited space. They are often used in retail stores, warehouses, and other commercial indoor environments.
Knuckleboom Lifts
Knuckleboom lifts, also known as articulating boom lifts, are designed with multiple sections that bend, or “knuckle,” allowing for greater manoeuvrability around obstacles. This flexibility makes them ideal for tasks that require reaching over or around structures, such as piping, ductwork, or building corners. Knuckleboom lifts can provide both vertical and horizontal reach, making them suitable for complex tasks that standard lifts may struggle with.
When to Use: Knuckleboom lifts are ideal for maintenance, construction, or installation jobs where obstacles need to be navigated. Their versatility makes them a good choice for difficult-to-reach spots, such as working around trees, on busy construction sites, or within industrial facilities.
Telescopic Boom Lifts
Telescopic boom lifts, also known as straight boom lifts, provide long, straight reach and are designed for maximum height and horizontal extension. Unlike knuckleboom lifts, telescopic booms extend in a straight line, offering better height access for jobs that require direct upward or outward reach. These lifts are perfect for reaching high elevations, such as tall buildings or other large structures.
When to Use: Telescopic boom lifts are the right choice for tasks that require height and reach in a straight line, such as high-rise building maintenance, signage installation, or outdoor construction where obstacles are minimal.
Spider Boom Lift
Spider boom lifts are compact, lightweight, and known for their “spider-like” legs, which provide stability on uneven or delicate terrain. These lifts are typically used in confined spaces or areas where traditional access equipment cannot fit. Spider lifts are highly manoeuvrable and can easily navigate around obstacles, making them ideal for working in gardens, courtyards, or indoor spaces with uneven floors. They are also equipped with rubber tracks to reduce surface damage.
When to Use: Spider boom lifts are perfect for complex or confined areas, such as inside buildings with limited access points or outdoors where the terrain is unstable. They are commonly used for tree pruning, maintenance in heritage sites, or work in landscaped areas.
Telehandlers
Telehandlers, or telescopic handlers, are multi-functional machines that combine features of a forklift, crane, and boom lift. They are commonly used in construction and agricultural settings due to their ability to lift and move heavy loads to different heights and positions. Telehandlers have extendable booms that can be fitted with a variety of attachments, such as forks, buckets, or platforms, making them incredibly versatile for lifting, moving, or reaching tasks.
When to Use: Telehandlers are ideal for projects that require both lifting and transporting heavy materials, such as moving pallets of bricks on a construction site or placing heavy equipment in hard-to-reach areas. They are also useful for loading and unloading materials in warehouses or on farms.
Access equipment is vital for safely and efficiently completing projects that require working at height. From indoor tasks requiring compact lifts to outdoor projects demanding rugged machinery, New Zealand offers a range of access equipment for hire. Electric scissor lifts and vertical personal lifts are perfect for indoor tasks, while rough terrain scissor lifts and telehandlers excel in challenging outdoor environments. Knuckleboom and telescopic boom lifts provide versatile reach for various construction or maintenance needs, and cherry pickers and spider boom lifts offer flexibility for mobile or tight-space work.
Choosing the right equipment depends on the specific requirements of your project, including the height, terrain, and manoeuvrability needed. By understanding the options available, you can ensure that your team is well-equipped to work safely and efficiently, no matter the task at hand.
