When working in industries like construction, facilities, and maintenance, having the right tool for the job can mean the difference between meeting a deadline or budget and going over budget or delaying the completion date. The need for the right equipment is especially crucial when safety is a concern, such as when working at heights. Many companies have scissor lifts or boom lifts for these jobs, but sometimes the work calls for a more precise machine, in which case a vertical mast lift may just do the trick.
A vertical mast lift is an aerial lift?similar to the more common scissor and boom lifts?that is designed with a different use case in mind than its relatives. Instead of using the scissor mechanism that the scissor lift gets its name from, and which requires a wide platform, the vertical mast lift uses a multi-stage system that deploys directly upward from a central mast. This allows the vertical mast lift to have a much smaller footprint and a more condensed platform.
The size of a vertical mast lift?s platform is more akin to that of a boom lift, but unlike a boom lift, which can swing in multiple directions, the vertical lift can only go directly up and down1. This means the lift needs to be lowered and moved to work in multiple areas of a building or construction site, but it takes up much less room and requires less coordination while working.
Vertical mast lifts have two main advantages over scissor lifts and boom lifts. The first is that they have a smaller footprint and are more compact, both when deployed and when in storage. This quality allows a vertical lift to be used in tight spaces, such as in the narrow aisles between shelving units. Many models can also easily fit through standard doorways, which makes them useful inside buildings, like schools or offices, where they can be used to change overhead lighting or perform maintenance on ceilings.
When a vertical mast lift isn?t in use, it takes up much less room than a similar scissor lift or boom lift would, so it is easy to store in a large closet or a small garage, and it can even be easily tucked away on a cramped work site.
When in use, a vertical mast lift is easy for people and other vehicles to maneuver around. Because the platform doesn?t swing or articulate like it would on a boom lift, it?s also easy to plan around where the lift will be. Instead of needing to keep a wide area clear to ensure no one is ever walking underneath an extended boom, site managers only need to worry about a space as wide as the vertical mast lift?s footprint.
The second advantage a vertical mast lift has is its small platform and easy operation. A vertical mast lift only goes directly up and down, and so it must be positioned directly underneath the work area. This makes knowing where it needs to be easy. Meanwhile, the small platform means that the lift operator can fit into tight spaces that might be inaccessible to another lift type. Once elevated, the platform of most vertical lifts can be extended to increase the working area if need be. This makes them ideal for working on overhead lighting, stage lighting, tight corners of ceiling, and hanging signage. Many models of vertical mast lifts are also capable of working outside and in rough terrain, such as dirt or gravel.
Like other work platforms, vertical mast lifts raise workers and tools to elevated locations. What makes the vertical mast lift unique is that its movement is only up and down, as opposed to a boom lift that can also turn. The inability to turn makes the vertical mast lift more compact than its counterparts, making it ideal for use in tight spaces, easier to store, and more manageable in indoor locations. A vertical mast lift?s limited movement also makes controlling the platform a less complex process.
The mechanism is what differentiates vertical mast lifts from scissor lifts. Scissor lifts use interlocking scissor legs2 to raise and lower the platform. The legs are criss-crossed and open and close like a pair of scissors.
Additionally, scissor lifts often have a wider platform and higher load capacity.
Use vertical mast lifts for workspaces directly overhead, such as:
Due to their small footprint and maneuverability, vertical mast lifts are also an excellent choice for use in tight spaces where precision is necessary and storage is limited. There are also models ideal for outdoor use.
A few industries that use vertical mast lifts include entertainment, construction, and facilities management.
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Modern vertical mast lifts have various safety features. Load sensors, for example, detect when there?s too much weight on the platform, triggering an alarm. The sensors may also prevent the mast from raising when they detect excessive weight.
Tile sensors catch if the lift isn?t flat. When the lift isn?t level, the sensors trigger a warning or prevent movement to reduce the risk of the lift tipping.
Guardrails reduce the odds of people falling from the work platform. Some vertical mast lift models may also have harness attachments for additional protection. Some vertical mast lifts also have toe guards to prevent equipment from rolling off the platform and injuring someone below3.
Note: Workers should never step onto the guardrails.
Reaching elevated locations for building repair or maintenance work can be challenging. This is especially true when working in a confined space. Vertical mast lifts solve the space problem, as the equipment is often smaller than other lift types and is easy to store in cramped areas.
The lifts quickly move workers, materials, and tools to overhead locations, saving time on the worksite. Thanks to its guardrails, harnesses, alarms, and other safety features, vertical mast lifts reduce the risk of worksite accidents that cause project delays and liability concerns.
Want to help your lift last longer? Preventive maintenance is the key:
Additionally, proper operation and never exceeding the specified maximum load rating4 will help the lift last longer.
The compact design of vertical mast lifts contributes to their versatility in two ways:
