Looking to hire an EWP in Brisbane or around South East Queensland? You want to land on the right machine for the job at hand on the first go. That’s why the Performance Tower Hire team is always available to answer your questions and guide you. But before you get in touch about your project, there are a few key questions to ask yourself that will help us all. 

Asking these before each EWP hire can save you money and help keep your team efficient and safe while working at heights. 

1. What Job Am I Doing?

Different jobs require different features of an elevated work platform. What job will you be doing? Trimming trees, painting a building, repairing overhead electrical cables? Have a think about the job you’re doing and what features you need from your platform. 

• Cherry pickers offer reach and flexibility, allowing the user to move up and across.
• Truck-mounted EWPs are great for jobs that require regular movement and enhanced mobility.
• Boom lifts allow you to access hard-to-reach areas, extending vertically and horizontally. Very useful if you need to reach over an obstacle to get to your job site.

2. What Height is the Job at?

The height you’re working at is obviously a huge factor. Once you have a grasp of that, there are a couple of things to think about with regards to the EWP itself: 

• Platform height (how far the platform itself reaches)
• Working height (your reach from the platform, which is usually platform height plus two metres)
• Horizontal reach, if you need to extend outwards as well as up on your EWP.
  

Overestimating or underestimating height can lead to hiring the wrong equipment, which is a surefire way to delay your project. Our team will guide you through your job and help you land on the exact machine you need!

3. What’s the Ground Like at My Site?

This one gets missed a lot. Is the surface flat and stable? Muddy, grassy or gravel? 

Rough terrain is going to require an EWP to match, one with the stability and clearance to tackle the landscape you’re working on. Using the wrong machine on rough terrain can be a serious safety hazard. 

4. Wet Hire or Dry Hire?

Most EWPs require a licensed operator, especially if they exceed certain height thresholds. If you or your team don’t have the right licence or certification, wet hire (equipment + operator) might be the best option.

We offer both wet and dry hire at Performance Tower Hire. If you don’t have the right qualifications or don’t have the time capacity to operate the machinery, we’ll provide an experienced operator to get the job done efficiently and safely.

5. What’s the Project Timespan?

Have a clear idea of your timeline. Whether it’s a one-day job or a month-long project, knowing your hire period helps with:

• Availability (some machines get booked out fast)
• Accurate quotes
• Planning transport and setup

Knowing your timeframe allows us to figure out the most cost-effective hire option for you. 

6. What Safety Features Do I Need?

Safety is everything when working at heights. It’s our number one focus here at Performance Tower Hire, and we’re always happy to talk about the EWP safety features we offer. Ask us about: 

• Guardrails and harness anchor points
• Emergency descent systems
• Non-slip surfaces
• Up-to-date service and inspection records

We’re happy to give you walkthroughs of our EWPs for hire and guide you through safe operating procedures.

7. Can the EWP Get Onto My Site?

This consideration often gets overlooked. Make sure:

• There’s enough space for delivery and setup
• Access gates or entries are wide enough
• Weight limits on driveways or floors are accounted for
• Overhead obstructions like tree branches or power lines won’t get in the way

Even things like slope or turning space can make a difference in whether a machine can be safely manoeuvred into position.

8. Should I go for an Electric or Diesel EWP?

There are both electric and diesel EWPs available. The nature of your job determines which type would be best for you. 

Indoor work that requires you to be a bit more unobtrusive would be better suited to an electric EWP. Remote outdoor sites suit a diesel machine.

9. What’s the Plan if Things Go Wrong?

Not all jobs run perfectly to plan. That’s why it’s important to ask:

• Is there emergency support available?
• What happens if the machine breaks down?
• How quickly can a replacement be delivered?

At Performance Tower Hire, we pride ourselves on responsive support. If anything goes wrong, we’re onto it fast.

10. What Does the Quote Include?

Last but not least, check what you’re actually paying for. Ask if the quote includes:

• Delivery and pick-up
• Fuel (for diesel machines)
• Insurance
• Cleaning or damage charges

The Performance Tower Hire team willl make sure there are no surprises at the end of your hire.

Contact the Brisbane EWP Hire Professionals

If you need a quality, well-maintained and safe elevated work platform for your project, Performance Tower Hire is here for you. We have a fleet of machines that includes cherry pickers, truck-mounted EWP platforms, boom lifts and bucket trucks. 

Our equipment is all meticulously maintained to ensure reliable and safe operations. We have a crew of experienced operators available for your wet hire, or if you’re self-operating we can organise dry hire. 

Get in touch today and let’s talk about your next working at heights project!