• Maco Corporation (India) Private Limited

Aerial Work Platforms

An aerial device/elevating work platform is a hydraulic machine used to provide temporary access for people or equipment to inaccessible areas, usually at height. These two distinct types of mechanised access platforms may also be known as a "Z Boom" or "Cherry Picker" (both regional terms for aerial device); or "Scissor Lift" (the universal North American term for elevating work platform).They are generally used for temporary, flexible access purposes such as maintenance and construction work or by fire-fighters for emergency access, which distinguishes them from permanent access equipment such as elevators. They are designed to lift limited weights (usually less than a tonne, although some have a higher safe working load, distinguishing them from most types of cranes. They are usually capable of being fully operated (including set-up) by a single person.Regardless of the task they are used for, aerial work platforms may provide additional features beyond transport and access, including being equipped with electrical outlets or compressed air connectors for power tools. They may also be equipped with specialist equipment, such as carrying frames for window glass. This type of AWP is now widely used for maintenance and construction of all types, including extensively in the power, defence lab, refinery, switch yard, transformer assembly, machine building and telecommunications industries to service overhead lines, and in arboriculture to provide an independent work platform on difficult or dangerous trees. A specialist type of the articulated lift is the type of fire apparatus used by fire-fighters worldwide as a vehicle to provide high level or difficult access. These types of platforms often have additional features such as a piped water supply and water cannon to aid fire-fighters in their task. Some articulated lifts are limited to only the distance accessible by the length of each boom arm, however, by the use of telescoping sections, the range can be vastly increased. Some large hydraulic platforms mounted on a lorry can reach heights of over 50 metres. The majority of articulated lifts require a wide supportive base to operate safely, and most models have extending legs/struts to help accomplish this. These legs can be manual or hydraulic (usually depending on size and price of the machine). Some AWPS are classified as 'spiders' due to the appearance of these legs. Spiders are also available in especially compact form, to fit through doorways for use inside buildings. A scissor lift is a type of platform, which can usually only move vertically. The mechanism to achieve this is the use of linked, folding supports in a criss-cross 'X' pattern. The upward motion is achieved by the application of pressure to the outside of the lowest set of supports, elongating the crossing pattern, and propelling the work platform vertically. The platform may also have an extending 'bridge' to allow closer access to the work area (because of the inherent limits of vertical only movement). The contraction of the scissor action can be hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical (via a leadscrew or rack and pinion system). Depending on the power system employed on the lift, it may require no power to enter 'descent' mode, but rather a simple release of hydraulic or pneumatic pressure. This is the main reason that these methods of powering the lifts are preferred, as it allows a fail-safe option of returning the platform to the ground by release of a manual valve.The power assisted drive (if fitted) and lift functions of an AWP are controlled by an operator, who can be situated either on the work platform itself, or at a control panel at the base of the unit. Some models are fitted with a panel at both locations or with a remote control, giving operator a choice of position. A control panel at the base can also function as a safety feature if for any reason the operator is at height and becomes unable to operate his controls. Even models not fitted with a control panel at the base are usually fitted with an emergency switch of some sort, which allows manual lowering of the lift (usually by the release of hydraulic or pneumatic pressure) in the event of an emergency or power failure.Controls vary by model, but are frequently either buttons or a joystick. The type and complexity of these will depend on the functions the platform is able to perform.