A manlift is a type of aerial work platform (AWP) that is used to safely lift a person and their equipment on both indoor and outdoor job sites. They are distinguished from other aerial lifts, such as boom lifts, by their size, appearance, and purpose.
Manlifts go by numerous names in the business, including man lifts, personal lifts, and personnel lifts. Manlifts are classified into three types: self-propelled, push-around, and belt-driven. The sizes and specializations of each differ.
Understanding the many sorts of manlifts might be difficult. They all have similar characteristics but are employed for distinct purposes.
In this piece, we’ll look at the many sorts of manlifts, their features, and when they’re most useful. The three basic types of manlifts are as follows:
1. Self-propelled telescopic manlifts
The smallest of the group is the self-propelled manlift. The little lift can elevate one person and a set of tools 15 to 20 feet into the air. Its small size makes it easier to get past entrances.
Self-propelled manlifts can reach ladder heights but have a more stable basis. The collapsible frame is suited for small-scale indoor applications that require a minor height increase.
Manlifts with a Push-Around Base
Self-propelled manlifts are slightly larger than push-around manlifts. They may reach heights ranging from 15 to 50 feet, allowing a single person and their tools to get into tight spaces such as between rafters or around an HVAC unit. The push-around manlift can even be used by photographers to acquire a bird’s-eye view over the throng.
The lift’s collapsible structure and hydraulic wheels allow one or two persons to easily operate it through entrances and along corridors. Push-around manlifts include retractable outrigger legs that balance the base and avoid tipping due to their light frame (200-400-pound weight capability) and vertical reach.
3. Manlifts in the Atrium (Belt)
The largest in the group are atrium manlifts, also known as small crawler lifts. The heavy-duty lift is ideal for use on building sites outside. The atrium’s retractable legs and tank-like drive tracks allow it can rest stably on unstable ground like as dirt, sand, and mud.
The extended neck may reach over 34 feet in height and revolve 360 degrees. The jib joint enables navigating around obstacles such as trees and electricity lines. Some kinds of atrium manlifts are battery-powered, while others run on gasoline or diesel fuel.
What Exactly Is a Jib on a Manlift?
A jib is a phrase used to describe an arm extension with an extra joint for better range of motion. Operators can easily move up and down, left and right. The jib feature is also available on the atrium lift and the boom lift.
In the following section, we’ll look at the components of a manlift and how they work.
What Are the Different Parts of a Manlift?
Manlifts include numerous moving elements that aid in the completion of tasks. The base is stabilized on any terrain thanks to the retractable outrigger legs and drive tracks. The vertical extension and rotation movements are controlled by the platform control station. These operations maintain the manlift working smoothly and safely for the operators and people nearby.
Let’s take a look at the various components of a manlift. We’ll use a JLG Compact Crawler® atrium manlift in this demonstration.
Because many manlift parts are interchangeable with other pieces of machinery, let’s take a look at how it differs from another common piece of machinery: the boom lift.
What Is the Difference Between a Manlift and a Boom Lift?
Manlifts are distant cousins of boom lifts. Both allow operators to complete activities in aerial workspaces. Boom lifts, on the other hand, differ from regular manlifts in various ways.
Boom lifts are attachments that can be attached to work trucks and other vehicles to hoist items aloft. The jib (arm extension) can be telescopic or articulating, allowing for a larger range of motion than manlifts while working at awkward angles. Work platforms on several boom lift models are larger than manlifts.
In a nutshell, a boom lift is a manlift, but a manlift is not always a boom lift. Both are members of the AWP family, but they are not categorized as such. Boom lifts, like manlifts, come in a number of sizes to meet a variety of building applications.
How Much Does a Manlift Rental Cost?
The cost of renting a manlift varies according to the amount of hours, days, weeks, or months required. Manlift rentals can cost between $100 and $200 per day, $200 and $900 per week, or $500 and $2,000 per month. This is not an exhaustive list, but rather an estimate of what to expect.
When renting construction equipment, consider the size of the project, the type of lift required, and the duration of use. Make sure to account for fuel costs in your budget. Indoor lifts, such as a self-propelled manlift, can be powered by an electrical outlet. Outdoor manlifts, like as the atrium, can run on batteries as well as fuel.
This may appear to be a lot to deal with, but purchasing an aerial lift is more costly. The manlift will require a space for long-term storage as well as regular patience and check-ups. Having heavy equipment also necessitates compliance with national and federal laws, such as the American Society of Safety Professionals’ (ASSP) ANSI/SAIA A92.6 – 2006 (R2014) for aerial work platforms.
Renting a manliftt may be the greatest solution if you do not have the upfront funds to purchase one. The final step is to know what to look for when selecting a manlift.