MEWPs & Telehandlers: Essential Equipment for Concrete Projects

On concrete projects, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and telehandlers are essential pieces of equipment used to enhance safety, efficiency and productivity at various stages of construction. Both types of machinery serve different roles on the site, and their use depends on the specific tasks and site conditions.

Here's an overview of the work that MEWPs and telehandlers do on concrete projects:

MEWPs

MEWPs (such as boom lifts, scissor lifts, low-level access lifts and vertical lifts) are primarily used to provide safe, elevated access to work areas, particularly in high or difficult-to-reach locations. They also support various tasks such as finishing, formwork, inspection and material handling in some cases. The key uses on concrete projects include:

1. Formwork and Rebar Installation

• Reaching Elevated Formwork: MEWPs are commonly used to lift workers to elevated formwork where they can position and secure concrete forms. Workers can use the platforms of lifts to access walls, columns, slabs or ceilings for installing formwork or rebar.
• Installing Vertical Formwork: A boom lift allows workers to position and adjust formwork while standing on the platform for vertical elements like walls or columns. The boom lift’s ability to reach and extend over obstacles makes it particularly useful in tight spaces or near already-constructed sections of the building.

2. Concrete Pouring and Inspections

• Placing Concrete at Height: For high-rise buildings or large multi-story slabs, boom lifts can be used to transport workers to elevated positions for overseeing or helping with concrete pouring. While the concrete itself is often delivered by concrete pumps or cranes, workers use MEWPs to help direct or manage the flow of concrete.
• Inspecting Elevated Concrete: MEWPs allow workers to get close to the concrete structure for a detailed visual inspection. Engineers or supervisors use MEWPs to inspect concrete surfaces at height, such as on walls, ceilings or high beams, to check for defects or uneven surfaces.

3. Securing and Connecting Panels

• Accessing Connection Points: MEWPs assist concrete workers in securing prefabricated concrete panels in tilt-up construction. Panels are cast on-site and lifted into place using cranes. MEWPs provide can safe access to connection points at the top of the panels for proper alignment during positioning. For embedded plate connections, MEWPs enable workers to reach and tighten bolts or weld steel components.
• Installing Temporary Structures: Workers use MEWPs to install temporary braces, stabilizing the panels before making permanent connections.
• Finishing Tasks: MEWPs facilitate the application of sealants, grout joints and completion of other finishing tasks.

4. Attaching to Steel Framing Elements

• Securing Connections: Prefab panels are connected to steel elements, requiring precise alignment and secure connections. Concrete workers utilize MEWPs to attach steel embeds, brackets and weld plates before lifting panels. After lifting, MEWPs provide access for bolting panel connections to steel beams or welding embedded plates.
• Inspecting Connections: Engineers and supervisors rely on MEWPs for inspecting and adjusting connections, ensuring proper alignment and structural integrity.

5. Work on Concrete Cladding or Sheeting

• Installing Concrete Panels: Once the structural concrete framework is completed, MEWPs may be used to install external concrete panels or cladding. Boom lifts and scissor lifts provide access to the upper parts of the structure where workers can fix or hang large concrete panels.
• Installing Insulation and Finishing Elements: In addition to cladding, MEWPs are often used to install insulation or apply finishing elements (e.g., caulking, sealants) to concrete surfaces at height.

6. Lifting and Transporting Light Materials

• Moving Small Tools and Materials: While MEWPs are not designed to lift heavy loads like a crane, they are ideal for moving small loads of concrete-related tools and materials (e.g., hand tools, buckets, trowels, mixers, bags of cement) to elevated work areas, ensuring that workers have what they need to get jobs done at height.

Telehandlers

Telehandlers (telescopic handlers) are versatile machines used to lift and place heavy materials on construction sites. On concrete projects, they are essential for handling large, heavy loads, moving materials and assisting with formwork and finishing. Their extendable booms provide both vertical and horizontal reach, making them ideal for various tasks.

1. Lifting and Placing Heavy Concrete Forms and Components

• Placing Steel Forms: Telehandlers are widely used to lift and place steel forms for concrete pouring. With the ability to lift heavy loads (such as formwork panels, rebar, and molds) and extend the boom horizontally to position them at height, telehandlers are essential for moving materials into place, particularly in multi-story structures.
• Placing Precast Concrete Elements: Telehandlers are also used to move and place precast concrete components (such as beams, walls, and slabs) onto the structure. The ability to extend the boom horizontally allows the telehandler to place these heavy materials in precise positions.

2. Handling Concrete Materials

• Moving Bulk Concrete Materials: Telehandlers equipped with forks can be used to transport bulk materials like sand, gravel, cement bags and pre-mixed concrete. They are also used to lift and transport supplies, such as reinforcing steel or scaffolding components.
• Transporting Concrete Block: On some projects, concrete blocks (for foundations or other structural elements) are moved into position using telehandlers, which have the reach and capacity to handle heavy blocks efficiently.

3. Supporting Concrete Pouring

• Lifting Concrete Hoppers or Buckets: During the concrete pour, telehandlers are used to lift and position hoppers or concrete buckets that deliver concrete to elevated pour sites. The telehandler’s boom can reach higher levels and place materials where needed, allowing for continuous pouring without delays.
• Positioning Pumps and Equipment: For large pours, telehandlers may assist with moving or positioning concrete pumps, hoses and other related equipment at the appropriate location on the site. This ensures that concrete can be delivered efficiently to high or hard-to-reach locations.

4. Lifting and Placing Equipment and Temporary Structures

• Setting Up Temporary Structures: Telehandlers are used for placing and assembling temporary structures such as scaffolding, safety barriers and platforms that are needed for concrete work at height.
• Transporting Equipment: Telehandlers are useful for transporting larger pieces of construction equipment (such as trowels, mixers, scaffolding materials or pumps) across the site, particularly on rough or uneven terrain.

Both MEWPs and telehandlers are vital for concrete projects. MEWPs can provide safe access for workers and material handling in elevated or tight spaces, while telehandlers are focused on lifting, placing and transporting materials, making sure that construction progresses smoothly, even in challenging conditions.

JLG^® Solutions for Concrete Contractors

From laying complex concrete foundations to moving and erecting precast panels, JLG^® access equipment solutions help concrete contractors and operators get the job done with various equipment options and attachments. From high-capacity and rotating telehandlers designed to help teams move, stack and lift materials, even on congested job sites, to boom lifts that feature self-leveling technology to increase operator confidence at height, JLG MEWPs and telehandlers can bring greater productivity to every concrete job site.

At A Glance: Summary of Roles on Concrete Projects

MEWPs:

• Providing elevated access for workers to install formwork, rebar and concrete finishes
• Assisting with concrete finishing tasks like smoothing and troweling
• Inspecting and ensuring the quality of concrete structures at height
• Moving light tools, materials, and equipment to elevated locations
• Installing cladding or insulation on concrete structures
• Navigating rough terrain to reach difficult areas for formwork or inspections

Telehandlers:

• Lifting and placing heavy materials such as concrete forms, precast components and steel rebar
• Transporting bulk concrete materials (sand, gravel, cement)
• Assisting with concrete pouring by moving hoppers, buckets or pumps
• Setting up and moving temporary structures such as scaffolding or safety barriers
• Working in rough terrain, where they provide stability for lifting and material handling