In an era where sustainability is at the forefront of agendas, it’s crucial to consider eco-friendly alternatives in every aspect of our lives, including powered access equipment, such as cherry pickers.
MEWPs play a vital role in various industries and projects, from facilities management and construction to maintenance and beyond. Therefore all industries need to consider access-platform-sustainability where noise levels, energy usage and emissions, for example, are part of powered access hire decision-making.
To help minimise your environmental impact and widen your knowledge of sustainability when it comes to powered access use, here are some environmentally-friendly tips to consider when hiring a cherry picker.
Why Choose Eco-Friendly Cherry Pickers?
To achieve net zero by 2050, sustainability is at the forefront of UK development. Therefore, with the demand for sustainable solutions for powered access platforms, we’re proud to offer a selection of eco-friendly cherry pickers, such as electric or hybrid models.
These offer several advantages, including:
- Reduced emissions: Electric cherry pickers produce zero emissions at the point of use, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier work environment.
- Lower noise levels: Electric models operate more quietly, reducing noise pollution at the job site.
- Energy efficiency: Eco-friendly cherry pickers often have better energy efficiency ratings, saving you money on operational costs.
Exploring Eco-Conscious Cherry Pickers
One of the first steps towards sustainability is to explore eco-conscious access platforms, whether that be cherry pickers or scissor lifts. These include electric and hybrid options that significantly reduce emissions compared to their traditional diesel counterparts.
What’s the difference between electric and hybrid cherry pickers?
Electric cherry pickers are powered solely by batteries, making them emission-free and quieter. Hybrid models combine electric and diesel power, offering versatility and reduced emissions while allowing for longer operating hours.
Electric-Powered Cherry Pickers: A Green Alternative
Opting for electric-powered cherry pickers is a significant step towards sustainability. These machines produce zero emissions at the point of use, reducing air pollution and minimising environmental impact. They also operate more quietly, contributing to a quieter and more pleasant work environment.
Assess Energy Efficiency for Sustainability
Before renting or buying a cherry picker, ensure you take the time to review energy efficiency ratings where possible. Look for models with high energy efficiency scores requiring less power to operate. This not only reduces energy consumption but also lowers your operational costs in the process.
Regular Maintenance of MEWPs for Sustainable Operations
Regular and preventative maintenance is key to ensuring your cherry picker operates at peak efficiency.
What are Some Maintenance Tips for Cherry Pickers?
Well-maintained equipment can have a longer lifespan, helping efficiency and reducing the need for frequent replacement parts.
We pride ourselves on putting safety at the centre of everything we do. That’s why every machine we deliver goes through an extensive pre-delivery inspection (PDI) to fully assess the health and safety of your hired access platforms before they are delivered to your site. In addition to the safety and efficiency benefits, the PDIs contribute to our approach to preventative maintenance and spotting issues before they become a bigger problem.
For those who own machines and want to ensure MEWPs are always in optimum condition, we provide a one-stop service for all your access platform maintenance and repair requirements.
Additionally, battery health is another contributing factor to the overall performance of access platforms. Poor maintenance, insufficient charge cycles or being left flat after use are all elements which can impact overall battery capacity and longevity.
Regenerate Batteries to Increase Lifespan
For electric-powered cherry pickers, maximising battery life is crucial for sustainability. Consider regenerating or repairing batteries instead of immediately replacing them.
At Horizon Platforms, we use cutting-edge Battery Regeneration technology that aims to recondition batteries, reversing damage and prolonging lifespan, which has contributed to a 30% reduction in lead battery waste. This helps to further support our commitment to sustainability now and in the future.
By implementing these environmentally-friendly tips when hiring a cherry picker, you contribute to sustainability efforts and benefit from the latest technologies in the industry. It’s a win-win for both your operations and the planet. Remember, every small step towards sustainability counts; collectively, we can significantly impact the environment.
Consider Biodegradable Hydraulic Fluids
When operating a cherry picker, hydraulic fluids play a role in reducing the impact on the planet. Biodegradable hydraulic fluids are formulated to break down naturally over time, minimising harm to the environment.
Choosing the Right Cherry Picker for Efficiency and Sustainability
How do I choose the right-sized cherry picker for my project? Selecting the right cherry picker for the task at hand isn’t just about functionality and efficiency, it’s also more and more important to be environmentally responsible. For example, overloading a machine can lead to increased energy consumption and potential damage or health and safety risks. Therefore taking this approach to choosing a cherry picker for your job not only ensures safety, optimal performance and the desired project outcomes, it considers sustainability too.
Opt for a Reputable Rental Company
There are countless benefits to partnering with reputable rental companies when it comes to your next project. Not only does it save you time and money in the long run, but it also ensures that you have access to the latest eco-conscious cherry pickers on the market.
What Should I Look for in a Reputable Access Platform Rental Company?
Reputable platform rental companies offer well-maintained equipment, expert guidance, and access to a hire system that is 100% geared to your business objectives. Part of that is being eco and sustainability conscious. Therefore, look for companies with certifications and awards that reflect their commitment to quality and sustainability.
At Horizon Platforms, not only do we invest in state-of-the-art MEWPs, so you have the best tools for the job, but we also invest in environmentally-friendly access platforms. We are committed to sustainability and have been recognised with the EcoVadis Silver Award, a testament to our ongoing dedication to environmentally responsible business practices. We boast a triple crown of ISO standards and are an IPAF Rental+ accredited company, delivering on our ongoing commitment to quality and sustainability.
Where Can I Hire Eco-Friendly Cherry Pickers?
You can hire eco-friendly cherry pickers from reputable companies like Horizon Platforms, which offer a wide range of environmentally-conscious access equipment to meet your specific needs.
Horizon Platforms supply of electric and hybrid work-from-height kit
Transport and Projects Manager, Katy Wraith, explains how Horizon Platforms are taking steps towards sustainability;
“In addition to successfully gaining our Silver EcoVadis rating, sustainability is a key part of our plans going forward. We’re making positive steps in this area. For example, most of our depot has sensor-activated LED lighting. We have a large number of electric-powered access platforms and regenerate MEWP batteries where possible, which has led to a large reduction in lead battery wastage. We have a mixed fleet of Euro 6 delivery trucks for reduced emissions and we encourage environmentally friendly driving styles through our telematics systems. These are just a few examples, and while we’re proud of the progress we’re making, the plan is to build on this and continue to make further strides in this area. The next projects are to expand our array of solar panels and measure our carbon footprint.”
If you have any questions on the topics discussed above, please get in touch. Alternatively, browse our extensive range of cherry pickers and more at Horizon Platforms today, or get in touch if you have any questions, one of our expert advisors will be happy to assist you.