Powered Access Equipment

Last Updated: September 15, 2023

15 Sep 2023

If you have a job to complete that requires working at a height, you’ll likely be considering your options for how to reach the elevation needed. Powered access is an ideal option for safely working at heights, but with so many options it can be difficult to know what to choose for the job at hand. Below we’re discussing the benefits of hiring powered access equipment, and what each type is best used for.

What is Powered Access?

Powered access platforms provide access to heights and areas that are difficult to reach, using an engine or motor to drive their lifting mechanism. It is one of the safest and most efficient ways to work at heights, and it includes fuel and electricity driven scissor lifts, boom lifts, and vertical masts.

What can powered access be used for?

Powered access is extremely versatile equipment. It is suitable for all different work areas, including indoor and outdoor zones. You can use it to reach modest heights for domestic tasks like cleaning gutters and hanging Christmas lights, as well as for commercial jobs like cleaning, decorating, installation, and repair. You can also use it to reach extreme heights and for various industry uses, like filmmaking.

What are the advantages of using powered access?

Powered access is preferred for long-duration and complicated tasks where ladders would be dangerous, and it allows operatives to raise and lower themselves with tools and materials quicker, easier, and more safely than using a scaffold tower.

Enhanced safety – powered access equipment provides a stable platform for working at a heigh, reducing the risk of falls for users compared to ladders or scaffolding.

Improved efficiency – users can reach high areas quickly and perform tasks with greater precision than other methods of elevation.

Versatile – powered access equipment is versatile, able to be used for indoor and outdoor uses. They are also easily manoeuvrable to different types of spaces.

What are the different types of powered access?

There are various types of powered access, and choosing the correct equipment for the job at hand can be crucial in making your life easier. You can speak to our hire team via live chat for advice on choosing the right powered access for your needs:

Scissor Lifts

Scissor lifts are commonly used for their stability and versatility. They use a pantograph structure, with each support section of the extending arm linked in a criss-cross pattern. The crossed supports allow you to extend and retract the frame steadily and evenly.

Electric slab scissor lifts are ideal for indoor use. They are more lightweight than their diesel counterparts, making them easier for operators to handle in more confined spaces. Electric scissor lifts are battery-powered, so you need to recharge them, but you do not need to fill them with fuel, and they do not produce any emissions. They run quietly, so you can operate them in busy and sensitive areas without causing much disruption.

Diesel scissor lifts are for external use, and they tend to be heavy and often wind rated for safe outdoor work. As the fumes produced by the engine can be harmful, they are not suitable for use indoors or in enclosed spaces. The diesel engine provides more power, so these scissor lifts are better equipped for travelling across roads and uneven surfaces than electric models.

Boom Lifts

Boom lifts, cherry pickers, or aerial work platforms, are used when a job requires both height and outreach. Instead of up and down access like scissor lifts, booms have extendable telescopic or articulating arms that you can move in different directions, allowing workers to access tight spaces and areas that are not directly overhead.

These lifts are widely used in construction, film production, and maintenance of utility lines.

Spider Lifts

Spider lifts, or tracked aerial lifts, are for tasks in challenging areas and uneven terrains. These lifts are equipped with spider-like legs or tracks that provide stability on slopes, rough ground, and delicate surfaces.

Spider lifts are used for arboriculture, facility maintenance, and construction, where traditional access equipment may struggle.

Vertical Mast Lifts

Vertical mast lifts, often referred to as personnel lifts, are compact access machines that excel in confined spaces. They provide straightforward vertical movement, making them suitable for tasks that require elevation without extensive outreach.

Vertical masts are commonly used for tasks like maintenance, stock picking, and installations in tight areas.

Hire powered access equipment

Individuals and businesses can hire powered access equipment when required from us at National Tool Hire. Anyone over 18 years old can complete a hire, but you do need a licence to operate the machine.

You can drive a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) weighing under 3.5 tons with a standard vehicle driving licence, but larger or more specialist equipment will require additional training. When hiring powered access equipment, you should also consider:

Access requirements: Selecting the right equipment for the job. Equipment varies by height, reach, power source (diesel, electric), and terrain adaptability. If you’re unsure what you need to hire, our hire team are available on live chat to answer any of your questions.
Insurance: Ensure that you have the necessary insurance coverage for equipment rental and potential damages or accidents. You also may want to consider our Hire Shield product.
Safety: Always adhere to safety regulations and guidelines, including using safety gear such as harnesses when required.
Hire agreements: Make sure to read and understand the rental agreement, including any terms and conditions, responsibilities for damages, maintenance during the rental period, and any other obligations.
Site assessment: Ensure that the site can accommodate the machine. For instance, some lifts may not be suitable for uneven terrains, or there may be overhead obstructions that can pose risks.
Delivery and pickup: Our hire partners provide delivery and collection of powered access equipment across the UK.