Cherry Picker
A “cherry picker” is a type of mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) featuring a hydraulic boom and a raised platform or bucket. It is used to safely lift workers, tools, and materials to elevated or hard-to-reach heights.
Common Uses
Cherry pickers—also commonly referred to as boom lifts or bucket trucks—are highly versatile machines used across various industries. Common applications include:
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- Construction and Maintenance: Servicing power lines, exterior painting, and installing commercial signage.
- Arboriculture: Tree trimming, pruning, and landscaping.
- Cleaning and Installation: High-rise window cleaning and event or lighting setups.
- Emergency Services: Used by fire and rescue departments for high-angle rescues.
Types of Cherry Pickers
There are several configurations designed to suit different site conditions and height requirements:
- Articulating Booms: Feature multiple hinged joints that allow the platform to reach up and over obstacles.
- Telescopic Booms: Offer straight, direct extension for maximum vertical and horizontal reach.
- Truck-Mounted Lifts: A boom attached directly to a commercial vehicle, making them highly mobile for road use and utility work.
- Trailer-Mounted Lifts: Compact, towable cherry pickers that are convenient for residential jobs
How to Operate SafelyOperating a cherry picker requires adherence to strict safety protocols to prevent accidents and falls. It typically involves:- Inspecting the machine daily for hydraulic leaks or structural damage.
- Wearing a properly fitted safety harness and tethering to a designated anchor point in the basket.
- Checking that the ground or support outriggers are completely stable before elevating.
- Understanding the controls, which are usually located inside the basket itself.
