Construction, maintenance, and facility enhancements offer complex needs, especially when they occur in areas that are already in use. Current infrastructure can block access to a needed area. Equipment use of varied sorts can cause task execution headaches. And the people in high traffic environments challenge operators to move carefully to remain productive while remaining unobtrusive, allowing people to use those spaces with little interruption. A vertical mast lift offers one answer to help meet each of these challenges.

What is a Vertical Mast Lift?

Vertical mast lifts are a type of aerial work platform intended to provide access to high reaching tasks while allowing for tight fitting access and a small space footprint. While similar to scissor lifts, vertical mast lifts utilize a multi-stage mast that accommodates a smaller footprint than traditional personnel lifts like scissor lifts. They come equipped with platform extensions that extend beyond the base of the vehicle.

Navigating Existing Infrastructure with a Vertical Mast Lift

Facility designers often pay close attention to the long term maintenance needs of the operation. Sometimes those designers consider what equipment can be used to fulfill those needs. But over the lifetime of any evolving work environment, unexpected infrastructure changes arise – as do unexpected maintenance needs.

A vertical mast lift can help meet high reaching maintenance needs when original or new facility infrastructure can be difficult to navigate. With a width of only 30 inches and a length of four and a half feet, the AICHI Vertical Mast Lift can fit through standard doorways, in between tight racking, or in other spaces obstructed by infrastructure. Have a need to fit between ducts for heating and cooling work or pipes to fix facility plumbing? The platform dimensions of a vertical mast lift are built to access these spaces. And with many models like the AICHI Vertical Mast Lift equipped with zero-degree turn radius, versatility in maneuvering is optimal for tight locations. Has a new rack appeared directly beneath an electrical box you need to access? Position an AICHI Vertical Mast Lift next to the rack and use its 15-inch platform extension to reach over the rack and get to the task.

Integrating Vertical Mast Lifts with Other Equipment

Smart operations managers and construction project managers plan routing of their equipment carefully to make the most use of the space and assist operators in maintaining efficient operation. When maintenance needs arise in areas with high traffic from other equipment, a vertical mast lift’s small footprint can help optimize space. By working close to exterior walls of a facility or on the outside perimeter on a construction site and taking up little space, other industrial equipment can maintain optimal operation and efficiency.

Using Vertical Mast Lifts in Public Places

Maintenance in and around buildings that grant public access is a common need. While proper precautions need to be exercised when performing maintenance around non-facility personnel/operators, vertical mast lifts come equipped with features to assist in the protection of both the operator and passersby. The AICHI Vertical Mast Lift features systems like anti-rollback and lift interlock when a steep grade is detected. Standard pothole protectors and reduced travel speed when elevated also enhance the protection provided to the operators when working at height.

Vertical mast lifts are versatile and offer an excellent solution for accessing difficult to reach areas for maintenance. While they do provide a flexible solution, key considerations such as platform height need and weight requirements must be considered. As these requirements increase, consider investing instead in an AICHI Scissor Lift for increase height and weight capacity with a slightly larger physical footprint.

According to a study published by Global Market Insights in February 2018, the rental market for aerial work platforms is expected to reach $24 billion by the year 2024 (up from around $15 billion in 2016). This sharp increase in demand is largely attributable to the booming construction industry with scissor lifts seeing the largest increase in equipment demand.

And it makes sense. Scissor lifts are practical, inherently safer than using a ladder, and they’re a more economical solution than many other powered types of equipment. So how do you choose the right scissor lift for your application? They’re all essentially the same, right? They travel and lift and lower and that’s usually good enough to get the job done isn’t it?

Well, not quite. While many people tend to focus on the upfront cost as the only factor when purchasing or renting this type of equipment, this could end up costing you in reduced efficiency, performance, and safety, among other factors. This guide will help you understand these factors and make a better, more informed decision when it comes to the type of equipment you want on the job site.

Scissor Lift Purchasing Factors

Exterior Dimensions – Scissor lifts come in all shapes and sizes with different lift heights, platform dimensions, and lifting capacities. Make sure to choose one that will work in your space constraints that can also meet the demands of your application. Having a lift with fold-down guardrails and an upper control box with remote, off-truck capabilities can also be very helpful for traveling through doorways and working in tight spaces.

For reference, check out Toyota’s various scissor lift sizes. They’ll give you an idea of various options.

Safety – Consider the construction of the scissor lift and the features that it offers that can help reduce the possibility of an accident. Scissor lifts today, such as AICHI’s E-Series models, offer advanced features such as anti-rollback on grades, controlled descent when lowering, and reduced travel speed with the platform elevated to reduce the likelihood of a tip over or injury.

Efficiency – More efficiency equals longer run time and longer run time equals getting more work done between charges. Some scissor lifts utilize hydraulic steering and DC drive motors, which aren’t efficient ways of converting energy and also require more maintenance. AICHI’s E-Series scissor lift models have industry leading cycle time thanks to their highly efficient AC motors designed by Toyota.

Productivity – The travel and lift/lower speed capabilities of your scissor lift can have significant impacts on productivity, but they aren’t the only factors. The key is looking for a machine that provides smooth, precise control that instills confidence in the operator. Additional features such as a zero degree turning radius and a power outlet on the platform can even further increase your overall productivity by spending less time navigating tight turns and getting on and off the scissor lift.

Written by:  Lucas Collom, Digital Projects Administrator, Toyota Material Handling, USA