Have you ever wanted to do anything or get something from a high structure or place? Do you want to clean your roof, and your office window, or wonder how to get out of your 50storey building during an emergency? And then you wished you had something other than a ladder or scaffolders, then your mind should go to aerial work platforms.
Aerial work platforms also known as elevated work platforms are machine equipment used all over the world and by millions of people during construction, maintenance, cleaning, evacuation, and the performance of other tasks that seem impossible due to height. Aerial work platforms can be seen as a better alternative to ladders and scaffolding because it allows a worker more space for more range of height during tasks. Aerial work platforms are also commonly used in industries that include construction, landscaping, industrial cleaning, and so on.
What does an aerial work platform look like and what are the major components that they are made of?
An aerial work platform has major components such as a base structure, an extending chassis structure, etc, and minor components such as steer wheels, rotators, guardrails, drive wheels, and more.
- Base structure: This is simply a vehicle that has wheels that enables the movement of an Aerial work platform into a place.
- Chassis/ Frame: this is a frame-like structure that provides support for the whole aerial work platform or lifts. It is one of the main designs of an AWP.
- Steer wheels: they are wheels attached to the steering panel and used in steering the lift during motion to the desired direction. They also support the weight of the load, people, or things to be moved. They can be used to drive in four-wheel lifts but can only be used to steer in two-wheel lifts.
- Ground console: this is the operating room of the Aerial work platform. It is a unit where the controls of the driving and operating aspects of the lift can be found. The ground console is unusually found on the ground rather than on the top of the lift. It has to be operated by another person asides from the person being lifted.
- Jib: it is an extending arm used to increase the reach of the lift in all directions, vertical and horizontal which is helpful when working in a limited space.
- Rotator: The rotator connects the jib to the platform in the form of a small cylinder. It then allows movement of the platform from side to side. The rotator can rotate 360degrees in all directions and it can modify the arm of a platform to the desired side.
- Platform: the platform is a footswitch similar to a car’s gas pedal used to position and drive the Aerial lift. The auxiliary controls of the lift are also operated by the platform.
- Upright level cylinder: this is used in combination with the main cylinder to control the movement of the main fly and base sections.
- Jib lift cylinder: it controls the movement of the jib as implied.
- Slave cylinder: This cylinder is used to raise and lower the jib with the help of the jib lift cylinder.
Main base & fly section: These are the two adjoined sections used to provide the height and extension for the platform. - Guardrails: Guardrails are structured to prevent workers and others such as tools and materials objects from falling off of the platform from falling. They are made up of anchor points for attaching lanyards.
Want to know more about Blade Platforms Services? Contact Us Today!
____________________________________________________________
About Blade Platforms – Aerial Platform Rental, Mobile Elevated Working Platform Rental in North America
If you have been searing “aerial work platform rental near me” with no luck so far, you are in the right place. Our specialists will provide aerial work platform operator training so you get the most out of our equipment. Reach out to Blade Platforms today to get started.
Over the last 30 years we have proven in Europe that MEWPs/AWPs are the safest and most efficient way aerial height access. Since 2009 this concept is finally available here in the US. We have transformed the aerial lift industry by owning, leasing and operating a reliable fleet of MEWPs/AWPs in North America. Our fleet consists of top-of-the-line truck-mounted aerial platforms ranging from 108 feet to 336 feet and tracked spider lifts ranging from 50 feet to 165 feet.
