In critical industries like infrastructure, petrochemical, telecom, wind energy, and high-rise maintenance, the ability to work at height isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. But too often, the equipment used to reach those heights introduces avoidable risk.

One of the most common culprits? Stick-and-basket rigs.

These outdated setups remain in circulation across job sites, despite the fact that they’re prone to instability, inefficient to operate, and fundamentally unsuited for the scale of modern work. At Blade Platforms, we’re changing that — with engineered, professional-grade high-reach aerial work platforms (AWPs), also known as mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) — designed for today’s most demanding vertical jobs.

Let’s talk about what stick-and-basket rigs really are, why they’re risky, and how Blade Platforms sets a new standard for performance and safety at heights.

What Is a Stick-and-Basket Rig and Why Do They Fall Short?

Stick-and-basket rigs — often mounted on heavy trucks or cranes — feature a single telescoping boom (“the stick”) with a basic work platform (“the basket”) at the top. Structurally, they’re solid and built to lift heavy loads. But that’s where the advantages end.

When the work gets complex or conditions become unpredictable, these rigs show their age. Unlike modern high-reach equipment, they lack the smart technology, automation, and precision control that today’s jobs demand:

• No real-time monitoring systems
These rigs don’t track tilt, load balance, wind sway, or movement. Crews are left flying blind — especially at height.
• Outdated controls can be overridden
Most units allow operators to exceed safety limits without warning or automatic intervention — putting lives at risk when limits are unknowingly pushed.
• No built-in error correction
Without onboard computing or predictive stabilization, these rigs can’t compensate for operator miscalculations or environmental shifts — they simply fail.
• Inefficient manpower requirements
Many rigs require both an operator and a spotter, slowing deployment and increasing labor costs.
• Less reliable in harsh environments
Aging mechanical systems and a lack of modern durability features make these rigs prone to breakdowns and downtime.

They were built for lifting loads — not intelligence or adaptability. And in the challenging environments Blade operates in — unpredictable winds, high elevations, complex structures — that’s simply not enough.

How Blade Platforms Elevates the Standard

Blade Platforms doesn’t only rent and sell equipment — we deploy purpose-built, engineered high-reach AWPs/MEWPs that are trusted across mission-critical industries. Our truck-mounted platforms are designed for extreme elevation, uncompromising stability, and efficient operation.

Here’s how we outperform:

• Unmatched vertical reach and horizontal access
  Blade’s fleet includes truck-mounted platforms that reach up to 336 feet vertically and 131 feet horizontally — among the highest-capacity MEWPs available in North America.
• IPAF-certified operators / turnkey rental
  Every project includes an experienced, IPAF-certified operator. Clients who prefer to self-operate must meet our rigorous training and CDL certification standards.
• One operator, full control
  Our platforms are so efficient they require only a single certified operator, streamlining job-site logistics and reducing overhead.
• Built for stability in high winds and heavy loads
  German-built platforms mounted on robust truck chassis offer proven stability in winds up to 28.8 mph — and even up to 43 mph on select models — giving crews the confidence to perform in real-world conditions.
• Minimal downtime, maximum uptime
  High-quality materials, advanced controls, and preventative maintenance protocols ensure our equipment stays in the field — not in the shop.

Built for Projects That Can’t Afford Mistakes

From telecom towers and wind turbines to high-rise façades, petrochemical facilities and critical utility infrastructure, Blade’s equipment is engineered to meet the real demands of working at height — where risk is high, timelines are tight, and trust is everything.

Our clients don’t choose us because we’re the cheapest. They choose us because when safety, speed, and scale matter, Blade delivers.

Media Contact:
Petr Bartusek
Commercial Vice President
(855) BLADE-US
info@bladeplatforms.com