When it comes to working at height, cherry pickers are essential tools across a wide range of industries, from construction and facilities management to telecommunications and tree care. However, choosing the right equipment and ensuring you have the correct operator licence can be confusing.
In this guide, we answer your most frequently asked questions about cherry pickers, including their uses, industry applications, licence requirements, and how they compare to scissor lifts.
What is a cherry picker?
A cherry picker is a type of aerial work platform with a hydraulic lift system mounted on a vehicle. A cherry picker’s primary function is safely lifting workers to elevated areas.
Although there are countless uses for a cherry picker, here are some of the most common:
Maintenance & repairs
Cherry pickers are often used for building maintenance work, such as window cleaning, painting, and repairing roofs or gutters. Especially in urban areas where high-rise buildings are more common.
Construction industries
When it comes to construction, cherry pickers help workers reach high places. This allows for installing windows, building frameworks, and electrical work. They are essential for tasks that require precision and access to various heights.
Tree care
Arborists use cherry pickers to safely prune and cut down trees, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. This is especially important when trees are close to buildings and power lines.
Telecommunications
Cherry pickers are crucial for installing and maintaining telecommunication towers and power lines. They provide a stable platform for technicians working at height, ensuring safety and efficiency.
Event setup
For large events, cherry pickers are used to set up lighting, sound systems, and other overhead equipment. This is critical for concerts, festivals, and other large gatherings where equipment needs to be placed at significant heights.
Which industries use a cherry picker?
Cherry pickers are used across many industries because of their flexibility and ability to provide safe access to high areas. Although nearly every industry can benefit from a cherry picker in some capacity, the following industries use them regularly:
- Construction: Especially when it comes to reaching high work areas and transporting materials. Construction sites often have uneven terrain, and cherry pickers are designed to handle these conditions while providing a stable work platform.
- Telecommunications: Cherry pickers are ideal for maintaining and installing antennas and cables because they can extend both vertically and horizontally.
- Utility Services: Especially when working on power lines and street lights. Utility companies rely on cherry pickers to ensure that maintenance and repairs can be conducted safely and efficiently.
- Agriculture: For harvesting fruits from tall trees and performing maintenance on farm structures. In agriculture, cherry pickers help improve productivity and safety for workers.
- Facilities Management: For building maintenance, including cleaning and repairs. Facility managers use cherry pickers to maintain high-rise buildings, ensuring all areas are accessible for cleaning and repair work.
What are the benefits of hiring a cherry picker?
The use of cherry pickers is versatile and can be adapted to different tasks, including:
- Height Access: Cherry pickers can extend vertically and horizontally to access difficult-to-reach areas. This makes them ideal for tasks such as window washing on tall buildings or reaching over obstacles on construction sites.
- Safety: Cherry pickers provide a secure platform with guardrails, reducing the risk of falls. Their stability and safety features make them preferable to ladders or scaffolding in many situations.
- Flexibility: Depending on the model and the type of work required, they can be used both indoors and outdoors. Electric-powered models are suitable for indoor use, while diesel-powered models are typically used outdoors.
- Efficiency: Cherry pickers can be moved quickly to different locations, making them ideal for mobility projects. This mobility reduces downtime and increases productivity on job sites.
Do you need a license to operate a cherry picker?
In the UK, operating a cherry picker requires proper training and certification to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) certifies cherry picker operators.
Specifically, the IPAF Dual (3a & 3b) course is recommended, covering both mobile vertical (3a) and mobile boom (3b) categories. We offer the IPAF Dual (3a & 3b) course, which provides comprehensive training on the safe operation of cherry pickers.
This course includes theoretical and practical elements, ensuring operators are fully equipped to safely and effectively handle the equipment. This includes cherry pickers and scissor lifts.
Cherry picker or scissor lift?
Both cherry pickers and scissor lifts have their advantages and are suited for different types of tasks.
Cherry Pickers can reach both vertical and horizontal distances. They are ideal for tasks that require maneuverability and the ability to navigate around obstacles.
They are often mounted on vehicles, making them easy to transport. This makes them suitable for use in multiple locations within a single project.
They are also suitable for tasks that require access to hard-to-reach areas. Cherry pickers can extend over obstacles and reach higher elevations than many scissor lifts.
Scissor lifts provide a larger work platform, ideal for tasks that require more workspace. The platform’s stability makes it suitable for jobs that involve multiple workers or require a significant amount of tools and materials.
Scissor lifts can reach considerable heights but are limited to vertical movement. They are typically used for tasks that require elevation without the need to navigate around obstacles.
Scissor lifts are generally simpler to operate and set up, and they are often preferred for straightforward vertical access tasks in indoor environments. The choice between a cherry picker and a scissor lift depends on the job’s specific requirements.
A cherry picker is the better option for tasks requiring horizontal reach and mobility, while a scissor lift is more appropriate for jobs needing a stable platform at height.
Where can I hire a cherry picker?
At BJB Lift Trucks, we offer hire and purchase options for cherry pickers. Whether you require a cherry picker for a short-term task or are looking to invest in one for long-term use, our extensive range of models ensures we have the perfect solution for you.
Why Choose BJB Lift Trucks?
- Extensive fleet of powered access equipment
- IPAF training & certification available
- Friendly, expert advice
- Flexible hire and purchase options
- Fully serviced and safety-compliant machinery
If you’re unsure of which often is best for you, we’re here to help you make the right choice for your specific requirements. Contact us today to discuss your needs with our experienced team, who can guide you through the options and help you find the ideal solution for your project.
