Working at Height: Your Ultimate Guide to Aerial Lift Rental

Why an Aerial Lift Rental is Superior to Ladders and Scaffolding

When it comes to working at height, safety and efficiency are paramount. Let's look at why an aerial lift is often the superior choice.

Aerial Lift vs. Extension Ladders

• Unmatched Safety & Stability: A ladder provides only three points of contact and can be notoriously unstable on uneven ground. An aerial lift provides a fully enclosed work platform with a stable, heavy base, drastically reducing the risk of falls, which are a leading cause of construction injuries according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

• Workspace & Tool Capacity: On a ladder, you can only bring the tools you can carry in your hands or on a belt. An aerial lift basket provides a platform for you, your tools, and materials, keeping everything you need within easy reach.

• Mobility & Repositioning: Constantly moving and resetting a ladder is time-consuming and physically demanding. With a boom lift, you can drive the machine and reposition the basket with simple controls, allowing you to move along a roofline or wall with incredible efficiency.

Aerial Lift vs. Scaffolding

• Speed & Efficiency: Erecting and dismantling a multi-level scaffolding system can take an entire day or more. You can have an aerial lift rental delivered, set up, and be working at height in a matter of minutes.

• Versatility & Reach: Scaffolding is static. It only provides access to the area directly in front of it. A boom lift offers incredible reach, allowing you to work up and over obstacles like landscaping, porches, or other structures.

• Cost-Effectiveness for Short-Term Projects: For jobs that will only take a day or two, an aerial lift rental is often significantly more cost-effective than the labor and rental costs associated with a large scaffolding setup.

Choosing the Right Machine: Types of Aerial Lift Rental

There are two primary types of aerial lifts that serve different purposes. Choosing the right one is key to your project's success.

1. Articulating Boom Lifts (Knuckle Booms)

• What They Are: These lifts have a boom with multiple sections that "articulate" or hinge, allowing the operator to maneuver the work platform up and over obstacles. A great example is our Nifty Lift SD50.

• Best For: Projects with hard-to-reach areas and obstacles.

• Common Projects:

  • Tree Trimming: The ability to reach up and over the tree's canopy is essential for arborists.

  • Exterior Painting & Repair: Perfect for reaching high gables, dormers, and areas above a porch roof.

  • Commercial Maintenance: Ideal for working on signs, lighting, or mechanical systems that are blocked by other structures.

2. Telescopic Boom Lifts (Stick Booms)

• What They Are: These lifts have a straight boom that extends telescopically, like a telescope. They offer the maximum horizontal reach. A powerful example is our JLG 600AJ boom lift.

• Best For: Projects that require reaching the furthest possible distance from the base of the machine.

• Common Projects:

  • Large Building Construction: Reaching the upper floors and rooflines of a new building from a single position.

  • Bridge Inspection & Maintenance.

  • Industrial Applications: Reaching high racks or machinery in a large warehouse or factory.

When you contact NorthPoint to discuss your aerial lift rental, our team will help you analyze your project's specific needs to determine which type of lift will provide the safest and most efficient access.

Safety First: Your Guide to Operating an Aerial Lift

An aerial lift is a powerful tool for safety, but like any piece of heavy equipment, it requires proper training and a deep respect for safety protocols. No one should operate an aerial lift without proper training and certification. At NorthPoint, we provide a full safety and operational orientation with every aerial lift rental.

Critical Pre-Operation Steps

• Site Assessment: Before the lift is even started, you must assess the work area.

  • Level Ground: The lift must be operated on a firm, level surface.

  • Overhead Hazards: Identify all power lines, tree branches, and other overhead obstructions. You must maintain a minimum distance of 10 feet from all power lines.

  • Ground Hazards: Look for potholes, drop-offs, and other ground hazards.

• Machine Inspection: Perform a pre-start inspection, checking the tires, fluid levels, and looking for any visible damage. Test all controls, including the emergency lowering system, before raising the platform.

Safe Operating Procedures

• Fall Protection: Always wear a full-body harness and a short lanyard attached to the designated anchor point in the basket.

• Never Exit the Basket While Elevated: The only safe way to get in and out of the basket is when it is fully lowered.

• Maintain Situational Awareness: Always be aware of your surroundings, both on the ground and in the air, as you move and position the basket.

• Do Not Exceed Capacity: Be aware of the lift's maximum weight capacity (including workers, tools, and materials) and never exceed it.

• Weather Conditions: Do not operate an aerial lift in high winds, thunderstorms, or other severe weather conditions.

For comprehensive safety standards, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) provides the official guidelines for aerial lift operation.

Why Choose NorthPoint for Your Aerial Lift Rental?

When your safety and your project's success depend on the quality of a machine, you need to choose your rental partner carefully.

• A Fleet Maintained to the Highest Standards: Our aerial lift rental fleet consists of modern, reliable machines from industry-leading brands like JLG and Nifty Lift. We adhere to a strict and rigorous maintenance and inspection schedule that meets or exceeds all manufacturer and industry safety standards. Your safety is our absolute top priority.

• A Partner in Safety: We are committed to ensuring you can operate our equipment safely. Our rental process includes a mandatory, detailed orientation that covers all aspects of the machine's operation and critical safety protocols. We will not rent a lift without ensuring the operator is knowledgeable and comfortable.

• Expert Advice for Your Project: The NorthPoint team has the experience to help you select the perfect aerial lift rental for your job. We’ll analyze the height, reach, and site conditions of your project to provide a recommendation that is both safe and efficient.

• Reliable Delivery to Your Job Site: We offer prompt and professional delivery of our aerial lifts directly to your job site, ensuring the machine arrives on time and is ready to work.

• Two Convenient Locations:

  • Tilton: Our location at 185 Laconia Road, Tilton, NH 03276 is your hub for aerial lift rentals in the Lakes Region and Central NH.

  • Ashland: Our store at 130 Main Street, Ashland, NH 03217 serves the White Mountains and North Country.

Reach New Heights on Your Next Project

Stop taking unnecessary risks on unstable ladders or wasting time with cumbersome scaffolding. An aerial lift rental is the modern, safe, and efficient solution for all your high-reach projects. Empower yourself to work at height with the confidence and stability that only a professional-grade lift can provide.

Ready to take your project to the next level? Contact the expert team at NorthPoint Equipment Rentals today.

Contact Us to Book Your Aerial Lift Rental!

• Phone (Tilton): (603) 499-7926

• Phone (Ashland): (603) 375-4161

• Visit Our Aerial Lift Page: www.northpointrentals.com/aerial-lifts/