Understanding How Does a Man Lift Work

Understanding How Does a Man Lift Work

Meta Description: Learn about the different types of man lifts used in construction, including boom lifts, scissor lifts, and telehandlers, and how each construction lift works to provide safe access to job sites at various heights.

Man lifts, also known as aerial work platforms, are commonly used in construction and other industries. They provide safe and efficient access to work areas at heights. This guide provides an overview of the different types of man lifts and how they operate.

Understanding the proper operation of heavy-duty lifts ensures safety and helps complete jobs efficiently. The focus will be on commoner lift models, their key components and controls, safety considerations, inspection procedures, and more.

Key Takeaways

• Man lifts, also called boom lifts or aerial work platforms, provide a safe way to access high areas for tasks like construction and maintenance.
• There are different types, including articulating boom lifts, telescopic boom lifts, and scissor lifts, each suited to certain job sites and height needs.
• Proper training and inspection of lifts is required, along with following safety procedures to prevent falls, tip-overs, and other hazards.
• Choosing the right lift style and size depends on factors like indoor vs outdoor use, height requirements, weight capacity, and horizontal reach needs.

What is a Man Lift?

A man lift, also known as a compact lift or an aerial lift, is a type of powered mobile platform that is commonly used in construction to provide access to elevated workspaces. Man lifts, or aerial lifts, enable workers to safely perform tasks at heights using an enclosed platform raised and lowered by a lifting mechanism. This allows tasks like painting, window washing, and maintenance to be completed efficiently without the risks associated with ladders or scaffolding.

Main Components of a Man Lift

All man lifts share some key components that allow them to lift workers to height. They consist of a base structure such as tracks or wheels for mobility. They also have a lifting mechanism, usually hydraulic, that raises and lowers the work platform vertically.

Boom lifts, also known as aerial lifts or boom aerial lifts, are commonly used in construction. They feature an articulating or telescoping boom arm that can lift workers and equipment vertically and horizontally. This makes them well-suited for tasks like erecting scaffolding or electrical work requiring extended reach.

Scissor lifts are another common type of man lift that uses crisscrossed supports to raise a platform vertically via hydraulic mechanisms. Their compact design allows them to be useful for indoor applications. Aerial lifts, also called vertical personnel lifts, are smaller man lifts suitable for reaching higher shelves or accessing warehouse storage areas. Their straight up-and-down motion works well for confined indoor spaces.

Operating Controls of a Man Lift

Proper understanding and operation of controls are key to safely using aerial lifts for working at heights. Man lifts come equipped with different controls depending on their functionality.

Platform Controls

Controls inside the platform enable operators to raise, lower, rotate, and maneuver the lift bucket as needed. Aerial work platform controls typically include proportional joysticks, levers, or switches to operate hydraulic functions like elevation, extension, and retraction of booms. Platform swing and tilt controls allow rotation of the bucket for optimal positioning. Emergency stop buttons halt all movements immediately in case of issues. Proximity sensors detect obstructions to prevent collisions.

Base Controls

The operator uses base controls at the ground-level station to stabilize the hydraulic lift system and prepare for elevated work. Outrigger controls deploy the extendable legs to distribute weight and prevent tip-overs. These need to firmly touch the ground before raising the platform. Drive and steering functions let you maneuver the entire lift unit.

Setting up a Man Lift for Operation

Proper setup is crucial for the safe and efficient operation of aerial lifts. Before raising workers to elevated heights, taking the necessary precautions on the ground level helps ensure construction lift equipment has a smooth workflow without issues.

Deploying Outriggers/Stabilizers

Many man lifts, especially larger boom and scissor lifts, come equipped with retractable legs, outrigger legs, or jack stands. Before operation, these must be fully extended to their contact points and leveled. This distributes the weight of the lift and any equipment/personnel being carried evenly across a wider surface area. Where applicable, drive tracks or wheels require proper inflation for optimal traction and stability when traversing unstable or uneven terrain.

Positioning on Site

Careful consideration should also go into where the lift is set up. Aerial work poses unique challenges that require accounting for overhead obstructions and proximity to structures. Positioning the unit in an area with adequate clearances in all directions allows for a full range of motion without the risk of the boom, jib, or platform contacting nearby objects.

Traffic patterns and load-in/load-out zones need accommodation as well. Proper job site positioning goes a long way in ensuring a safe working envelope and efficient workflow throughout a job.

Raising and Lowering the Work Platform

Safely operating an aerial work platform requires proper training on vertical movement controls and safety considerations. The work platform, where workers perform tasks at height, can be raised and lowered vertically using hydraulic or electric controls. Understanding how to use these controls correctly is crucial for avoiding accidents.

Vertical Movement Controls

Vertical Movement controls on aerial work platforms may include proportional or non-proportional levers, joysticks, or buttons located either on the platform or the base. Proportional controls allow the operator to raise or lower the platform at varying speeds depending on how far the control is engaged.

Safety Considerations

Safety is the top priority when operating aerial work platforms. Before raising the platform, operators must inspect the area above and below for any overhead obstructions or hazards on the ground. Moving parts like outriggers or wheels pose pinch and crush risks.

Operators should also check for the proper functioning of required safety devices like platform guardrails, gates, and inertia reels. Following manufacturer’s guidelines and undergoing proper training can help ensure work platforms are used correctly, and incidents are prevented. Regular maintenance is also crucial for safety.

Horizontal Movement and Positioning

Operating a boom lift requires skill and precision to ensure safe and efficient work. The various types of boom lifts and work platforms can be extended and rotated in different directions to reach job sites throughout a work area. Proper training and understanding of the equipment’s controls are essential before using a boom lift for work.

Boom/Jib Extension Controls

Boom lifts have extension controls that allow workers to adjust the horizontal and vertical reach of the boom or jib. These may include functions like proportional boom extension and retract, which move the boom in and out smoothly via joysticks, switches, or proportional levers. Depending on the particular lift model, the boom can generally extend up to several feet past the base. Operators must take care to avoid exceeding the equipment’s maximum rated capacity.

Rotating the Work Platform

The work platform rotates through 360 degrees on most boom lifts, enabling smooth positioning around objects. A control such as a proportional rotation knob or switch aids precise rotation left or right. Some articulating boom lifts feature a rotating jib as well.

Shutting Down and Securing a Man Lift

Proper shutdown and storage procedures are essential for man lift safety and maintenance. When the work day is done, operators must return the aerial work platform to its lowered position and conduct a final inspection to ensure it is safely secured for the next user or until its next scheduled use.

Returning to the Lowered Position

To return the man lift to its stowed configuration, the operator first lowers the platform fully using the appropriate controls. They then retract the boom arm completely if it is an articulating or telescopic boom lift.

For scissor lifts, the operator ensures the platform is lowered all the way to its closest approach to the ground. Once in the lowered position, the operator can disembark from the platform using the three points of contact rule to keep both hands and one foot or two feet and one hand firmly on the scissor lift itself at all times to maintain stability.

Final Inspection and Storage

Once on the ground, the operator conducts a final aerial lift inspection. They check for issues like hydraulic leaks, loose or faulty components, or other problems that may have developed during use. The battery level is also examined to ensure it will have enough charge until the equipment’s next scheduled use.

Any issues discovered are reported properly according to the rental company and operator’s manual and procedures. Finally, the man lift is either stored in a secure designated area or left in a safe position with wheel locks engaged if it will be used again soon. Proper shutdown and storage practices are important for equipment and operator safety and compliance.