Construction is a labor-intensive industry that requires professionals to move heavy materials and tools to and from different points of the work site. This includes transporting them to high elevations and hard-to-reach places, which can be difficult to achieve with the common pieces of equipment often found on job sites.
To make bringing materials, tools, and even personnel to high and hard-to-reach places, you need to invest in a piece of construction lift equipment. This machine is commonly used by professionals in various industries, including construction, warehousing, and landscaping, to provide a safer and more efficient way of performing various tasks at a height.
There are many different types and models of lift equipment available on the market. So, you need to be careful when choosing which one to buy for your company or project. To help you make the right decision, here are some of the factors you need to consider when selecting lift equipment:
1. Height
One of the most important factors you need to consider when looking for a construction lift is the height requirements of your project. Doing so will help you make sure that the equipment you purchase will allow your team members to complete every task they need to do.
If your project only requires minimal height movement, such as residential work, you can choose a vertical platform lift or scissor lift. Meanwhile, if you need to complete tasks at elevations of at least 43 ft, you should consider getting a boom lift for your project.
2. Platform Size
Construction platform lifts, aside from being used to move materials and tools, can also be utilized to serve as a working platform for your team members. If you’re planning to use the equipment for this purpose, you need to consider the size of the platform that you’ll need.
This is because different kinds of construction lifts have different platform sizes. Some can only carry one person and a few tools, while others can support several people and larger materials.
3. Workspace Width
Another thing you need to consider when buying construction lifts is the size of your work site. This will help you ensure that the equipment you obtain for your project can be easily maneuvered on the job site.
If you’re working in a building with narrow hallways and doorways, you should find a machine that will fit your job site, such as an electric scissor lift. But if your work site is a wide, open space, you can get a larger piece of equipment like a boom lift.
4. Load Capacity
Just because you can fit several workers, materials, and tools on the platform of a construction lift means you can do so. Construction lifts have different load capacities, and some of them may not be able to carry too heavy loads safely.
So, if you need to transport heavy materials and bring them to high elevations, you need to find a construction lift that can do so. This will allow you to ensure that your team members are always safe, especially when working at a height.
5. Movement Required
Before buying a construction lift, you should determine the kind of movement your team needs to do to effectively complete their tasks. This is because some construction lifts can only move vertically, while others can easily move in any direction.
If your project only requires your team members to move up and down, you can invest in a scissor lift or vertical mast lift. However, if you need more flexibility in movement, it’s best to get an articulating boom lift for your project.
6. Job Site Environment
Determining the type of your job site’s terrain is also important before you obtain a construction lift. After all, you wouldn’t want to purchase a machine that can only operate on flat surfaces if your work site is located in a hilly area.
To ensure that your construction lift can handle rough terrains, you need to find a machine that has crawler tracks. These tracks will enable the equipment to move easily, even on the most challenging job sites.
7. Power Source
Last but not least, you need to consider the power source of your construction lift. Most of these machines are powered by electricity, but some run on gasoline or diesel.
To ensure that your construction lift will be able to operate continuously, you need to find a machine that has the right power source for your job site. If you’re working in an area with a reliable power supply, an electric-powered construction lift would be ideal. But if you’re working in a remote area with no access to electricity, a gas- or diesel-powered machine would be better.
Find the Right Construction Lift for Your Project
There are many factors that you need to consider before buying a JLG vertical lift. But as long as you keep all of these things in mind, you can be sure that you’ll find the right machine for your project. Just make sure to purchase your equipment from a reputable dealer like CMI Equipment to make the most out of your investment. Contact us today!
