Whatâs the Difference Between Boom Lifts and Cherry Pickers?
Youâve got a project on that requires working at height, such as repainting a building, installing signage, or tackling a roofing job. You know youâll need to hire an elevated work platform (EWP), but youâre stuck on whether to hire a cherry picker or a boom lift. What’s the difference, and which one is better suited to your job?Â
It’s not an uncommon question amongst tradies and business owners, so weâve put together this straightforward guide to clear things up. We want you to be able to easily identify the difference in the machines, while also knowing when each one should be used and the license you need to operate them.Â
Are Boom Lifts and Cherry Pickers the Same Thing?
Theyâre not the same thing, but people confuse them all the time because they share similarities. Cherry pickers and boom lifts are both kinds of elevated work platforms (EWP) – machinery designed to help workers reach jobs at heights that wouldnât otherwise be accessible.
They may belong to the same family of machinery but there are key differences between them. Letâs take a look at what they are.Â
Height
The height that either machine can reach is a big difference between cherry pickers and boom lifts. Boom Lifts typically max out at around 42 – 55 metres. Theyâre generally enough if youâre carrying out light work like building maintenance, or sign maintenance. Or if your project is likely to go for more than a week in duration.
Cherry Pickers are the heavy-hitters when you need serious height and reach with proper basket capacity. Some models, including the ones we supply here at Performance Tower Hire, can extend up to 100 metres. Thatâs about as high as a 30-storey building!Â
If your project involves working at extreme heights and reach, a Cherry Picker is almost always the better choice.
Reach and Movement
There are differences in how each machine reaches the jobs up there.Â
Cherry Pickers come with an articulated or telescopic arm (the boom) that can reach over or around obstacles to get to hard-to-reach spots. This is handy for working around trees or power lines, or even reaching over buildings.Â
Boom Lifts have generally less reach. Depending on the type of job youâre doing, that may be a point to consider.Â
Typical Uses
To summarise their usual usage, if you need straightforward up-and-down access for light-to-medium jobs, a Boom Lift could suffice.Â
If youâre dealing with heights and tight spaces, or your job is spread across lots of ground, a cherry picker will be the answer.
Letâs look at scenarios where youâd normally choose each machine:
Cherry Pickers:Â
High-rise construction work
Lighting or electrical work at significant heights
Cleaning gutters or windows
Installing or maintaining signage
Tree pruning
Large sites with multiple access points
Boom Lifts:
Painting buildings or houses
Roof installation or major repairs
General maintenance on low- to mid-rise structures
Is a Licence Required to Operate a Boom Lift or Cherry Picker?
Safety and licensing is something you canât ignore. In Queensland operating a boom lift or cherry picker over 11 metres requires a High Risk Work Licence for EWPs (class WP). Operators also need proper training to meet Work Health and Safety regulations.
But hereâs the good news: when you hire from us at Performance Tower Hire, you donât need to stress about getting licensed yourself. All our cherry pickers and boom lifts come with an experienced, fully licensed operator if required. This is called âwet hireâ, where we supply both the machine and the person to run it safely and efficiently. Weâll get the job done for you safely and on time.
Quality Counts with EWP Hiring
A final word of advice: be serious about quality when it comes to hiring elevated work platforms. Poorly maintained equipment or unqualified operators can cost you more than money – they can put lives at risk.
At Performance Tower Hire, we take safety seriously. Our cherry pickers and boom lifts are meticulously serviced regularly. Theyâre operated with skill and precision, and wonât let you down on the job.Â
Got Questions About Boom Lifts and Cherry Pickers?
Not sure which oneâs right for your job? No worries, weâll help you work it out. Tell us what youâre planning, and weâll match you with the best gear and lock in your booking fast and without any hassle.
Get in touch with Performance Tower Hire today and letâs get you up there, and back down again, safely.
- Published in Boom Lifts, Cherry Pickers
How Much Does Boom Lift Hire Cost?
A boom lift is a popular elevated work platform (EWP) option if youâre working at heights. Maxing out at 42-55 metres, theyâre ideal for light building maintenance or signage work.Â
Our boom lift hire department is always cranking, because theyâre a safe and adaptable piece of machinery that help take care of a wide range of jobs. If youâre researching them for your own job, youâre probably asking the question âHow much does boom lift hire cost?â and whether there is a standard price for Brisbane boom lift hire.Â
As the premier Brisbane EWP hire experts, weâre going to answer those questions for you today!
Is There a Standard Boom Lift Hire Cost?
There isnât a standard boom lift hire cost. Every job is different, so different companies will have their own costings based on a variety of factors. What we can do is go through what those factors are, so you have a rough idea of what to expect.Â
Things like the length of the job, itâs height and whether or not you need an operator, will have an impact on the price. For an accurate quote, chat with your boom lift hire company about the job at hand and theyâll be able to give you an accurate quote.Â
What Affects the Cost of Boom Lift Hire?
There are a few main factors that come into play when pricing boom lift hire. Letâs take a look.
Type of Boom Lift for Hire
The type of boom lift you hire will affect the cost. There are two main types – telescopic and knuckle booms. The telescopic ones are straight, while the knuckle booms articulate. Theyâre a bit more complex, and their design allows for extra flexibility to get into tight spaces or reach above obstacles. For these reasons, they can be a bit more expensive.Â
You can also choose between electric booms and diesel models. Electric booms are usually cheaper than diesel models, but theyâre better suited for indoor or flat surface jobs. Diesel boom lifts are more powerful and suited to outdoor worksites, but theyâll cost a little more to run and hire.
Height of Job
The higher you need to go, the more itâs likely to cost. A 12-metre boom lift will be less expensive than a 34-metre model. Thatâs because bigger machines are more complex, require more maintenance, and are often in higher demand.
When you ask for a quote, have a good idea of the maximum height youâll need to reach so you get the right machine for the job.
Duration of Job
Boom lift hire is usually charged on a daily, weekly, or monthly rate. As with most hire equipment, the longer you hire, the cheaper it becomes per day.
If your job will take more than a few days, itâs worth asking about long-term hire discounts. You might be surprised how much you can save.
Location
Where youâre located can affect the price too.
If your site is a fair distance from the hire company, there might be extra delivery or pick-up charges. Regional jobs may also cost more due to travel time or limited access to equipment in the area.
Performance Tower Hire is based in North Brisbane, so we do a lot of jobs in the local area here. We cover the whole of South East Queensland though, with a wide fleet of boom lifts ready to go.
Site Access
Some sites take a lot of extra work to actually get the boom lift into to get the job done. There could be obstacles in the way, a steep slope or lots of mud – these are the kind of challenges that can bump up the price. Extra time and manpower may be required for delivery and setup and the hire company has to recoup that somehow.Â
A good hire company will be able to recommend the right machine for you after a site visit or even if you provide them a detailed description of the site.Â
Weight of Load
Different models of boom lifts are designed to carry different loads. Some will only be able to support one worker with their tools, others will be equipped to have two or three people in the basket working on a job.Â
Youâll need a machine with a bigger load capacity if youâre lifting heavy gear or multiple workers. Those types of boom lifts tend to cost more.Â
Wet or Dry Hire
Dry hire is when you operate the boom yourself; wet hire is when you get a licensed boom lift operator as part of the package to operate it for you.Â
Wet hire costs more, but then you donât have to operate the boom lift yourself. An experienced operator gets straight to work and will have the skills to get the job done efficiently and well.Â
In many cases, the cost is justified – particularly if you donât have experienced or licensed boom lift operators on your team.Â
Contact the Brisbane Boom Lift Hire Experts
At Performance Tower Hire, weâve been helping businesses and tradies across Brisbane get access to the right boom lifts for years.
We offer competitive pricing, flexible hire terms, and reliable gear thatâs been properly maintained and safety checked. Whether youâre after short-term dry hire or long-term wet hire, weâll guide you to the right machine for your job.
Give us a call today or request a quote online. Our team is always here to help, and can let you know your boom lift hire cost right now.Â
- Published in Boom Lifts
Do You Need a Licence to Operate a Boom Lift?
Looking to hire a boom lift, but donât know if you need a licence to operate one? If so, youâve come to the right place.
In this article, weâll discuss whether you need a licence to operate a boom lift in Queensland, what it can be used for, the safety measures to follow when operating a boom lift and where to go when you need to hire quality equipment.
Do You Need a Licence to Operate a Boom Lift in Queensland?Â
Like operating cherry pickers, you do need to complete training and receive licensing in order to operate a boom lift in Queensland.
If youâre working at heights above 11m, you will need an additional licence indicating youâve completed your high risk training.
Are There Age Restrictions on Obtaining Your Yellow Card (High Risk Licence)?
Itâs important to note that each state and territory in Australia has certain restrictions regarding obtaining a yellow card if youâre under 18 years of age, and the ability you have to operate a boom lift.
In most circumstances, you can complete certain competencies related to your yellow card under the supervision of a licensed operator before turning 18, but you should always check this information with your Government authority before undertaking such work.
What Can Boom Lifts Be Used For?Â
There are two main types of boom lifts – the telescopic boom lift and the articulating boom lift. Some of the most common reasons to hire a boom lift are when:
– building scaffolding
– installing and maintaining lighting
– completing signage installation or maintenance
– painting walls and ceilings
– working outdoors at heights
What to Be Aware of When Operating a Boom LiftÂ
When working around or with a boom lift, there are certain things you need to be aware of. This includes:
– never operating equipment without training and licencing
– keeping the base and circumference clear
– checking the weight capacity before use
– not using near power lines
– wearing the correct safety equipment at all times
When to Contact Performance Tower HireÂ
If you require a boom lift hire service complete with a qualified operator, you should get in touch with our team at Performance Tower Hire today, or secure your online booking today.
Not only do we work with the best equipment in the industry so you can get your work done quickly and efficiently, we also only have highly qualified team members on staff so you can be certain your job will be completed to the highest standard, as safely as can be.Â
Do You Need a Licence to Operate Equipment Hired from Performance Tower Hire?Â
No, because all our equipment comes with a skilled, licensed operator so you donât have to worry about a thing.Â
Ready to organise your boom lift hire? Talk to our experienced team today.
- Published in Boom Lifts
How High Does a Boom Lift Go?
Looking to hire a truck-mounted boom lift, but want to know just how high they go? If so, this is the article for you.
Truck mounted boom lifts are the highest elevated working platforms available on the Australian market. In this article, we will discuss how high a boom lift can go, how to choose the right height for your boom lift and where to go if you need a truck mounted boom lift.
How High Does a Boom Lift Go?
While boom lifts are considered to be the elevated working platform able to reach the highest of heights in the Australian industry, how high your boom lift goes will depend on the type of boom lift you hire.
The smallest boom lift reaches a height of (7m), whereas the largest go all the way up to 341 ft (104m).
How to Choose the Right Boom Lift (and Height) for Your Needs
There are several factors that go into ensuring you have the right boom lift (at the right height for your intended purposes. Here, weâll discuss some of the things you really need to consider when choosing the right boom lift (and height) for you:
The Height You Need to Work At
It might seem obvious, but the height you need to work at is one of the major things you need to take into account when hiring a truck mounted boom lift. Thereâs no point in hiring the largest one on the market if you only need to reach heights of 40m.
Location & Access
Location and access also play a large part in determining the type of truck mounted boom lift you require. Our boom lifts are mounted on trucks so there needs to be access for them to set up safely and manoeuvre the lift without risking the safety of others.
Safety
While weâre on the topic, letâs talk about safety. There are many safety measures you are legally required to follow when operating a boom lift. You need to make sure you have the right safety equipment (and wear it) before operating the equipment and have the correct and proper training for the type of machine you are using…
Weight Capacity
The weight a boom lift can carry – be it one person or a couple of people – can be up to 600kg, depending on the type of boom lift you choose and other restrictions that may be in place.
As such, you need to be certain that you will not exceed this when using your boom lift. Thatâs why our equipment is fitted with load cells to ensure the capacity is not exceeded. Failure to do so may result in damaging your equipment as well as risking your own safety and that of others.
Intended Purpose
Boom lifts are only designed to carry workers, so if you need to lift a load not intended to be in the basket of the machine, you should make alternate arrangements.
Using a boom lift for something outside its intended purpose (as a crane, for instance) can result in damage and potential safety issues, especially if you consider the weight of the load you are trying to lift.
Why Use Performance Tower Hire When Sourcing Boom Lifts
In Queensland and Australia, there are many laws and restrictions governing the safe operation of a boom lift – even a truck-mounted boom lift like the ones we provide.
And even if you are licensed and able to operate the equipment, it can still be a dangerous thing.
When you work with Performance Tower Hire, however, you donât have to worry about that. Our equipment is some of the best available on the market, ready to go when you need it complete with a highly trained and skilled operator so you can focus on the job at hand.
If you need a reliable, quality truck-mounted boom lift, or other hire equipment on your construction site, contact our experienced team today or make an online booking.
- Published in Boom Lifts
Are Boom Lifts Safe?
Truck Mounted boom lifts are one of the highest elevated working platforms in the industry, but just how safe are they?
In this article, weâll discuss whether truck mounted boom lifts are safe, boom lift safety procedures, and where to go if you want to be certain the boom lift youâre hiring is safe.
Whatâs a Boom Lift?
Weâve discussed before what a boom lift is, but for the sake of this article, letâs briefly touch upon it again.
A truck mounted boom lift is the highest reaching elevated working platform available to the Australian market.
Itâs ideal for working at extreme heights that other machinery cannot reach and commonly used for everything from painting tall buildings, to installing lighting in stadiums.
Are Boom Lifts Safe?
Because they are the type of machinery you use when working at extreme heights, their operation does come with a certain amount of risk – presumably much more than other elevated working platforms which only reach your average heights.
That said, with the right safety equipment and a fully qualified operator (such as those we have on staff at Performance Tower Hire), it is perfectly safe to use a boom lift.
What Do You Need to Be Aware of When Operating a Boom Lift?
There are several things you need to be aware of when operating a boom lift. In this section, weâll discuss them briefly.
Safety & Qualifications
Safety is paramount when operating any elevated working platform, but itâs especially important when using a boom lift. To operate a boom lift safely, you must be fully trained and licensed according to state and federal protocols.
You must also wear a full body harness, hard hat, goggles and other safety equipment as dictated by Government regulations.
A huge consideration you should also make when operating a boom lift ties directly into safety and the safe operation of the machinery around power lines. Electricity is volatile and you must maintain a safe distance from power lines at all times when working with the assistance of this lift.
If you fail to do this, you risk putting yourself and others in harmâs way, which is not considered safe practice when operating a boom lift.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
When operating a boom lift safely you should always be aware of your surroundings. This includes making sure the moving components of the boom lift are not likely to hurt anyone when itâs in operation.
If necessary, clear the area completely and remove any potential hazards, even if the risk of there being an issue is only minor.
Load Capacity & Limitations
Being a safe boom lift operator means adhering to all and any load capacity or load limitations you may have. It is especially important to check this if you are unfamiliar with the boom lift, or you havenât worked with it in a while.
Donât Use it Outside its Intended Purpose
This point ties into the previous one, but is worth singling out. Any elevated working platform – including a boom lift – is only intended to assist workers complete the tasks they need to perform at heights.
As such, they are not always designed to be used to carry equipment and supplies – this is the job of a crane.
How to Be Certain of Safety During Boom Lift Operation
As much as you try to avoid it, accidents can happen. In our opinion, thereâs only one way you can be certain of safety while operating a boom lift: leave it to the experts at Performance Tower Hire.
All our hire equipment – from boom lifts to cherry pickers and everything in between – is thoroughly inspected and certified as safe before use. And we have a team of qualified, experienced operators you can trust to get your work done without worrying about safety.
To find out more about our boom lift hire options and the safety procedures we have in place, contact Performance Tower Hire today.
- Published in Boom Lifts