Maintenance Tips: Keep Your MEWP in Top Condition
Jun 25, 2025
Prioritizing key maintenance areas makes sure your MEWP (mobile elevating work platform) operates efficiently, minimizing unexpected repairs and extending the lifespan of your equipment. Regular upkeep enhances equipment performance, boosts operator productivity and provides peace of mind for everyone, creating a work environment focused on safety and reliability.
Here are the top 11 areas to maintain your MEWP to keep it in peak condition.
1. Hydraulic System
Key Components:
Hydraulic fluid, hoses, pumps, cylinders and valves
Why It Matters:
A properly maintained hydraulic system helps support the smooth and reliable operation of the platform and boom.
Benefits of Proper Maintenance:
- Prevents leaks that could affect performance
- Ensures consistent and controlled movement
- Enhances the safety and efficiency of operation
2. Electrical System
Key Components:
Wiring, controls, batteries, and electrical connections
Why It Matters:
The electrical system powers crucial components such as controls, lights and safety mechanisms. Keeping it in top shape contributes to safe, reliable equipment performance.
Benefits of Proper Maintenance:
- Prevents malfunctions that could disrupt operations
- Reduces the risk of electrical hazards
- Ensures consistent control and functionality
3. Platform and Guardrails
Key Components:
Platform surface, guardrails and access gates
Why It Matters:
A secure and well-maintained platform helps keep operators safe and provides stable working conditions.
Benefits of Proper Maintenance:
- Helps protect operators from falls or accidents
- Maintains structural integrity for a secure work area
- Ensures compliance with industry standards
4. Tire and Track Maintenance
Key Components:
Tires or tracks, rims and inflation levels
Why It Matters:
Good traction and stability are essential for smooth movement, especially on uneven surfaces. The stability of machines with pneumatic tires is tested with that specific tire type, making it critical to maintain the correct specifications during replacement.
Benefits of Proper Maintenance:
- Improves stability and maneuverability
- Reduces wear and tear, extending tire life
- Enhances safety by preventing slipping or tipping
- Ensures compliance with manufacturer-tested stability standards
Additional Considerations: During inspections, it is important to verify the tire size, ply rating and manufacturer to ensure they match the original specifications. In many cases, the machine user is responsible for tire maintenance, and a replacement tire may come from a supplier unfamiliar with the application. Confirming that the replacement meets safety and performance standards is essential if a tire is damaged. A machine with mismatched tires — such as those of different brands, sizes or ply ratings — should always prompt further investigation to maintain safe operation.
5. Boom and Lift Mechanisms
Key Components:
Boom arms, lift cylinders and pivot points
Why It Matters:
A properly functioning boom ensures smooth elevation, extension and positioning for precise operation.
Benefits of Proper Maintenance:
- Ensures smooth and controlled lifting
- Maximizes reach and efficiency
- Prevents mechanical wear and unexpected breakdowns
6. Safety Devices and Sensors
Key Components:
Tilt sensors, load-sensing sensors, emergency stop buttons and alarms
Why It Matters:
Safety devices protect operators by helping to maintain safe operating parameters and providing alerts for potential issues.
Benefits of Proper Maintenance:
- Ensures safety mechanisms function correctly
- Helps detect and address issues early
- Contributes to a safety-focused work environment
7. Structural Integrity
Key Components:
Frame, chassis and support structures
Why It Matters:
A strong and stable structure is the foundation of a reliable MEWP.
Benefits of Proper Maintenance:
- Maintains stability and load-bearing strength
- Extends the lifespan of the equipment
- Prevents costly structural repairs
8. Fluid Levels and Quality
Key Components:
Hydraulic fluid, engine oil and coolant
Why It Matters:
Fluids keep the MEWP’s engine and hydraulic system running smoothly and efficiently.
Benefits of Proper Maintenance:
- Prevents overheating and wear
- Enhances system efficiency and longevity
- Ensures smooth operation in all conditions
9. Operational and Safety Inspections
Key Components:
Routine system checks, safety inspections and functionality tests
Why It Matters:
Regular inspections keep your MEWP compliant with industry standards and government regulations and operating at peak performance.
Benefits of Proper Maintenance:
- Meets compliance requirements
- Identifies and addresses issues before they become major problems
- Improves reliability and operational efficiency
10. Cleaning and Debris Removal
Key Components:
General cleanliness, debris removal from moving parts
Why It Matters:
Keeping the MEWP clean helps prevent blockages, corrosion and unnecessary wear.
Benefits of Proper Maintenance:
- Keeps components functioning smoothly
- Prevents unnecessary wear and tear
- Enhances the overall lifespan of the machine
11. Decal Inspection and Maintenance
Key Components:
Warning labels, instructional decals, safety symbols and capacity charts
Why It Matters:
Decals provide essential safety information, operational instructions and load capacity guidelines. Clear and legible decals help operators use the MEWP safely and efficiently. Regularly inspecting decals for wear, fading or damage is crucial. If any decals become illegible or are missing, they should be replaced immediately to maintain a safe working environment. Equipment owners are responsible for ensuring that all safety and operational labels remain intact and easy to read.
Benefits of Proper Maintenance:
- Ensures operators have the necessary safety and usage information
- Maintains compliance with industry standards and government regulations
- Reduces the risk of operating errors due to missing or unreadable decals
Enhance Your Maintenance Skills with Service Training
By prioritizing these maintenance areas, you can keep your MEWP running efficiently, reduce the risk of unexpected repairs, extend the life of your equipment and extend operators' productivity and peace of mind.
Whether you want to perform basic maintenance on your JLG® equipment or troubleshoot your hydraulic and electrical systems, if you’re interested in learning more about maintaining your MEWP, JLG offers service training courses to match your specific needs. Find out more at JLG University.
For personalized training help, contact the JLG Training Team at 877.JLG.LIFT.
Sr. Director of Operations