Aerial Lifts Buyers Guide
Aerial lift features
Table of Contents
After deciding on the basic type of lift you want, you should also consider the extra features that will make your work easier. Extras that can make an aerial lift more efficient include built-in carriers for tools, fluorescent bulbs, or welding equipment.
For lifts that will be used in muddy or slippery environments, four-wheel drive is a popular add-on feature. Some lifts even have traction-control systems that distribute power in response to changing traction.
When considering electric lifts, look for those with automatic chargers and amp-hour batteries. These models allow you to simply plug the unit into an outlet and it charges itself as necessary, with an amp-hour battery that gives you longer lasting power.
Tires
The main choices for aerial lift tires are pneumatic tires - hollow rubber tires filled with either air or polyurethane foam - or solid rubber tires.
- Pneumatic tires with air are the best at smoothing the ride on bumpy or uneven surfaces, but you run the risk of getting a flat. They're also the least expensive. Foam-filled pneumatic tires are impervious to flats but more costly.
- Non-marking tires are typically solid rubber and much thinner than pneumatic tires. They never go flat and they're specifically designed not to mark up warehouse floors. When compared to pneumatic, non-marking tires provide a rougher ride but as they’re primarily used on smooth indoor floors, this doesn’t make a whole lot of difference.
