May. 13, 2024
If you need to reach high places without putting yourself in danger, an aerial work platform (AWP) is what you need. These versatile devices are useful on jobsites and beyond. Whether you're repairing the roof of a warehouse or painting street art on a wall, an AWP can significantly improve your efficiency and safety.
Are you interested in learning more about Mobile Lifting Platform? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
An aerial work platform (or AWP) is any device used to reach high places. Their wide platforms are designed for both people and material handling, allowing you to bring tools and materials with you. Although this definition is broad, AWPs come in several forms, each suited for different circumstances.
Where exactly do you need to get? The distance is relevant, but so are other parts of the job site. Consider any awkward or tight spaces you need your operators to fit into, or what angles you would need the work platform to move in.
Not every AWP is suited for every job site. Working indoors will require a more compact machine, while working outdoors might require something that can handle rough terrain.
Aerial work platforms are popular because they vary so much. Each type has its own strengths and weaknesses, so consider what kind of work your operator will be doing once they are off the ground.
Although operating an AWP might not seem as intensive as driving an excavator, it is still a piece of heavy machinery. You could get seriously hurt if you don't know what you're doing. Anyone who operates an AWP needs to go through safety training first. Ensure your staff members are certified to operate an AWP before deciding.
Likely the most common type, boom lifts are recognizable by the boom arm that lifts the platform. Boom lifts can reach up to 100 feet away, depending on the manufacturer and model. Some even have a turntable for 360-degree rotation.
These compact machines might not look like other aerial work platforms, but they’re just as useful. Scissor lifts use an accordion-style support system to raise or lower people and materials, anywhere from 20 to 50 feet. They can’t extend laterally, but their wide work platform makes them popular for jobs that require plenty of room, like building repairs and window installation.
Also known as a spider lift, an atrium lift has a relatively small platform with an articulated arm and four extendable legs for stabilization. Unlike other AWPs, atrium lifts do not move while in operation but compensate with their compact shape. Most models can fit through a standard double-doorway and have a reach similar to a boom lift (typically around 60-100 feet). Atrium lifts are especially useful for cleaning and maintaining large rooms like libraries and gymnasiums.
Scaffolding has been used for centuries to reach elevated heights. It redistributes your weight and keeps you elevated without using machinery. Ladders are used in tandem to navigate the scaffolding system. They’re extremely versatile because they can be built to suit the job’s needs, whether working on a residential home or a skyscraper.
No matter which aerial work platform you choose, it will be a significant financial investment. Even after deciding on an AWP, consider how to acquire it. Renting and owning both have advantages, depending on your circumstances.
Owning your equipment has obvious advantages. You don’t have to worry about the availability of AWPs at rental yards if you own the equipment. Plus, you don’t have to compete with other contractors to find the equipment you need. The only downside to buying your equipment is the sizable upfront investment. You would also be responsible for maintenance and storage. Buying an AWP is a smart choice if you anticipate using it regularly.
Renting, on the other hand, takes a lot of responsibility off your shoulders. The rental company will handle maintenance issues and storage costs. You also have control over your spending. Once you’re finished using a piece of equipment, you can off-rent it and save money. If you don't typically work at high elevations, renting your lifting equipment for the project and then off-renting once you’re finished might be the best option.
If you’re unsure about what equipment you need, your best bet is to speak to an expert. At EquipmentShare, we aim to provide you with an unbeatable rental experience. Visit us at one of our 115+ branch locations across the country and see for yourself why we are a better way to rent. We are also authorized dealers for a variety of OEMs. Shop for equipment and parts or rent an aerial work platform at EquipmentShare.
We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology. If you use our links to purchase something, we may earn a commission. Read our disclosures.
Thanks to technology and sheer innovation, many good things now come in small packages: We wear tiny computers on our wrists (love my Apple Watch), and we geek out over things like portable, foldable, reusable straws (it comes with a case!). The same concepts apply to the best home gym equipment. There is a need to accommodate people who live in small spaces. The best compact exercise equipment spans a range of workout styles, from HIIT cardio machines to adjustable kettlebells.
Just because you live in a small space doesn’t mean you can’t have a home gym. Trust me, I know: I have lived and exercised in a studio apartment, and before I built my home gym, I had to store my bumper plates in my fireplace (no, really).
Someone–and in many cases, more than one person–at Garage Gym Reviews has had their hands on every piece of equipment listed here. We tested and analyzed important space-saving factors, like:
Good for: People who travel or want to be able to take total body fitness on the go
Best Portable Home Gym
GGR Score: 4.2
Check PriceThe MaxPRO SmartConnect Portable Cable Machine is a lightweight and portable full body machine, which offers up to 300 pounds of resistance. This makes it an extremely versatile piece of portable equipment with a small footprint.
For heavy resistance training you can take with you, it doesn’t get too much tinier than the MaxPRO SmartConnect Home Gym, which earned a perfect 5 out of 5 on our portability rating. Its folded footprint is essentially the size of a shoebox, and it unfolds to be almost flat to the ground in use. Also, this machine weighs just 9 pounds, so moving it around is wildly easy.
Coop tested the MaxPRO and found it to be way more fun than he had initially expected. He even took it with him on a family vacation because of how easy it is to use and how well it travels.
The real magic of the MaxPRO is that it packs up to 300 pounds of resistance into the cables you can use to perform upper body and lower body work. You can use it as a standalone functional trainer with just the cables, or, if you purchase the Elite package, you can mount it under a bench or onto a wall to maximize the number of exercises you can perform.
The “Smart” part of the MaxPRO SmartConnect is in its connectivity to an app that features personal trainers who guide you through workouts that include high intensity interval training and strength training. Coop found the app to be a little clunky, and we are hoping MaxPRO continues to improve on the technology.
Some things to consider when purchasing: First, the MaxPRO only does concentric, not eccentric training. Also, the machine uses battery power. Make sure you keep it charged if you plan on using it frequently.
For more information, read our in-depth MaxPRO SmartConnect Home Gym review.
Key FeatureSmall, lightweight cable machineGood ForCable machine workoutsFootprint10”L x 16”H x 4”WWeight9 lbsBest Compact Home Gym
GGR Score: 4.6
Check PriceA complete smart home gym that offers versatility in a compact piece of equipment, but at a high price.
Also, keep in mind that Tonal is wall-mounted, so it isn’t portable. You’ll be bolting this into your wall, so if you live in an apartment, be aware that you’ll be drilling. Tonal also insists on professional installation only (you could void your warranty if you tried to do this on your own).
For more, check out our in-depth Tonal Smart Home Gym review.
Key FeatureAI-driven, wall-mounted home gymGood ForFull-body cable workoutsFootprint21.50” W x 50.9” H x 5.25” DWeight150 pounds (wall-mounted)If you are interested in sending in a Guest Blogger Submission,welcome to write for us!
All Comments ( 0 )