Beginning its life as a piece of machinery used to aid the picking of fruit, today the cherry picker is used for a variety of different jobs within a range of circumstances.
Unless you’re in a profession related to construction, or you work at a raised height for a regular amount of time, you’ve probably never used or been near a cherry picker. If this is you, then we’ve put together a guide for the amateur who wants to use this vehicle for the first time.
In an age where we are increasingly reliant on ourselves rather than the DIY expert, here Nifty Lift provides alternative DIY projects where you can use a cherry picker, while saving some money on the decorator or workman along the way.
Hiring a cherry picker
If you’re going to hire your own cherry picker, you’ll need to establish what type of job you’re going to carry out. If the job requires a lift height of up to 10m, then you’ll need a low-level access picker. If you’re doing this type of job, on average you’ll be looking to spend around £114 to £216 for every day that you use it. However, if a job requires a greater lift height of up to 21 metres, the cost will likely be higher.
How to use a cherry picker safely
Check your terrain
Before you start a job, make sure you’re aware of your surroundings and the surface area the machine will be working on. This is important because each machine has its own varying gradient specifications. If you’ve hired a picker with the incorrect gradient requirement and you’re working on a sloped surface, then you may not be able to work efficiently on your job. Or, if you’re working on a gravelled surface that is particularly uneven, you may need to consult the hire purchaser to ensure that the machine will remain mobile during the entirety of your job.
Check for surface water, as this may affect the stability of your machine while it is stationary, which will affect the safety of its user. If there is a lot of surface water, opt for a machine that includes outriggers. Outriggers spread the load of the machine with four extended legs, which ensure the balanced stability of a picker.
Are you working inside?
If you’re going to be working inside, you’ll need to consider whether the building you’re in has ventilation. If it doesn’t, then using a picker with a diesel engine wouldn’t be recommended as the fumes produced may become polluting and hazardous to the health of the user and others. We would recommend that you use an electric powered engine when using work platforms indoors. Even if there is ventilation, hybrid electrical powered engines offer you as much power as a diesel and are more fuel-efficient and longer-lasting.
Check your own competency
You don’t need a specialist license to operate most cherry pickers, but you should be realistic. If you’ve worked in the construction industry and you’ve used other similar vehicles, then you’re probably a good candidate when it comes to using a cherry picker. However, we suggest that you become fully aware of the controls and the manoeuvres that are required to use the machine properly.
If the picker is under 3.5 tons, then you can use these machines with a standard driving license. However, if you gained your driving license before 1994, you can use models up to 7.5 tons – so you have a greater selection to choose from. If it’s a picker any heavier than these specifications, keep in mind that you’ll probably need extra training.
If you’d like to gain extra qualifications to demonstrate that you’re a recognised cherry picker operator for prospective job offers, then you can apply for your PAL card (Powered Access License), which is issued by the IPAF (International Powered Access Federation). Most employers in construction will ask for this qualification if you’d like to get into this line of work, so we would recommend you apply for this license before you apply for the job.
When you might use the cherry picker
If you’re performing everyday DIY tasks, these machines are a great alternative to scaffolding. They are mobile and don’t cause an unwelcome distraction to the exterior of your home for a long period of time, without the added mess. Here are some scenarios where you could use a picker instead:
- Fixing fascia or clearing guttering. Fascia is the horizontal board that sits flush with the brick underneath your guttering. This is often difficult to reach and fix properly with a ladder; a cherry picker can therefore offer you balanced stability while you’re working, and provide a greater reach vantage while performing this task. Similarly, if you want to clean your guttering, you’re able to see over the top of the gutter to clean it more thoroughly.
- Fixing loose roof tiles. As pickers can extend upwards and outwards, they are ideal when mending broken or loose roof tiles. This means that you can work safely without risking injury if you’re working on the surface of the roof.
- Trimming or cutting down tall trees. If you’re trying to use a ladder, you’ll find that these types of tasks are often very difficult and dangerous if you’re using a mechanical saw. It’s therefore more appropriate to use a picker, as you’ll be in a balanced position while operating a mechanical saw. Alternatively, if you’re simply cutting branches, you’ll be able to extend yourself to the root of the branch to achieve a good finish on the job you’ve worked on.
Tough cage compressor.