Many of the extras that can make an aerial lift more efficient are for the use of the employees actually up on the lift. These can 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.

For electric lifts, look for automatic chargers: you simply plug the unit into an outlet and it charges itself as necessary. Also, high amp-hour batteries give you longer-lasting power.

Tires
The main choices for aerial lift tires are pneumatic – hollow rubber tires filled with either air or polyurethane foam – or solid rubber tires.

• Pneumatic tires 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 are 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. They do give the roughest ride, but that doesn't make much difference indoors where the floors should be smooth.