6 Things to Consider When Choosing the Right Equipment for Concrete Work

Concrete contractors navigate a unique set of challenges on construction sites that significantly impact their choice of lifting equipment, including access equipment like mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) — boom lifts, scissor lifts, low-level access lifts and vertical lifts — and telehandlers. Project demands not only shape their work processes but also dictate the type of equipment they use.

When choosing access equipment for concrete-related tasks, the focus shifts slightly to address the nature of concrete work, which often involves heavy lifting, working at heights and dealing with rough, uneven surfaces.

Here are the primary factors concrete contractors should focus on when selecting a MEWP or telehandler for concrete work:

Load Capacity and Platform Size

• Heavy Lifting: Concrete work often involves lifting heavy materials such as concrete forms, rebar, tools, mixers and other equipment. The MEWP must have a sufficient load capacity to handle the operators' weight and any materials they need to lift.
• Platform Size: Concrete contractors often need space for tools, equipment and even multiple workers on the platform. A lift that allows for plenty of workspace is important to make sure that the workers have room to work comfortably and safely in their application.

Height and Reach

• Working Height: Whether pouring concrete from a high-rise form or accessing elevated sections of a slab, the lift should be able to reach the required working height.
• Horizontal Reach: Concrete contractors often need to work across large areas (e.g., accessing hard-to-reach points on tall formwork). A machine with significant horizontal outreach can be critical, especially for boom lifts, which offer better reach than scissor lifts or vertical lifts.

Stability and Safety

• Platform Stability: Given that concrete work can involve working on uneven surfaces or on scaffolding, stability is essential. Telehandlers offer load stability when working on sloped or rough ground. For contractors pouring concrete at height, having a stable, secure MEWP platform promotes safe work practices.

Ease of Access and Movement

• Rough Terrain Capability: Concrete work often takes place on uneven, muddy, or rough ground, particularly at construction sites where the surrounding area is being excavated or developed. A rough-terrain MEWP or telehandler (with larger, rugged tires or tracks) is often necessary to navigate these conditions.
• Ground Pressure: Some MEWPs, especially those with a high lifting capacity, can exert considerable ground pressure, which might be an issue on softer ground. Contractors should consider this factor to avoid damaging the worksite and preventing machine tip-overs.
• Ground Clearance: When working on floors, contractors need a machine with sufficient ground clearance to avoid obstruction by rebar, formwork or other construction debris. Low-clearance lifts might not be suitable if they risk getting caught on obstacles during movement.
• Access to Tight Spaces: Working in confined spaces or between columns can be challenging on concrete jobs, especially in building construction. A more compact MEWP or telehandler be necessary for these tasks.
• Maneuverability: Concrete contractors may need an MEWP or telehandler that can navigate narrow aisles, between columns or around machinery. A machine with good maneuverability can make these tasks more efficient.

Fuel Type and Power Source

• Outdoor vs. Indoor Work: Concrete contractors typically work outdoors, but indoor work (e.g., in warehouses or high-rise buildings) may require electric-powered lifts to avoid emissions or to meet local building codes for indoor use. Some MEWPs are rated for both indoor and outdoor use, while others are designed specifically for indoor-only applications.
• Fuel Efficiency: For large, long-duration concrete pours or when operating on outdoor sites with rough terrain, diesel-powered or hybrid MEWPs (offering both diesel and electric power) may be preferred due to performance and longer operational time between refueling.

Operational Speed and Efficiency

• Quick Setup: When working on concrete pours, time is often critical. Contractors look for lifts that are easy to set up and move quickly between work areas. Some lifts offer features like automatic leveling or quick movement of the basket to minimize downtime.
• Boom Lift vs. Scissor Lift: Boom lifts generally allow for greater flexibility, such as reaching over obstacles and working across longer horizontal distances, making them preferable for larger pours. On the other hand, scissor lifts are ideal for tasks that require vertical movement with limited outreach.

Spec’d for the Work to Be Done

For concrete contractors, selecting the right lift equipment is critical to supporting safety, productivity and cost efficiency on the job. The ideal MEWP or telehandler should be able to handle heavy loads, reach sufficient heights, navigate rough terrain and provide stability and safety in a range of environmental conditions. Additionally, the lift must be reliable, durable and able to accommodate the specific needs of concrete work, such as lifting heavy materials and tools while working at height or traversing uneven ground.

JLG^® Solutions for the Concrete Market

Whether the job is erecting precast panels for a new commercial project or laying a concrete foundation for an urban office building, JLG^® access equipment solutions help get the job done with a range of equipment options and support services that push productivity.

At A Glance: Access Equipment Considerations

• Load Capacity and Platform Size
• Height and Reach
• Stability and Safety
• Ease of Access and Movement
• Fuel Type and Power Source
• Operational Speed and Efficiency