The post details essential steps and precautions for safely setting up a trailer-mounted cherry picker on sloped ground.
- Inspect ground firmness and evenness.
- Use wheel chocks and outriggers.
- Respect machine slope and load limits.
- Confirm operating equipment and worker safety.
Setting up a trailer-mounted cherry picker is easy enough when the ground is flat. However, when setting it up on sloped ground, it can get a bit dicey if you’re not careful.
Using such equipment on an incline will require more than rolling up and raising the boom. If you go ahead without checking the slope, ground firmness, load, and ensuring stabilisation measures are in place, you could put your people and equipment at risk.
Let’s walk through the steps and precautions that will help ensure a safe setup when you work on slopes.
Ground-Condition Checks You Will Need To Do Before Parking on a Slope
Make sure the ground is firm and as even as possible. Inspect for loose soil or debris that could shift under the machine’s weight. The last thing you want is for the ground to give way under you, causing the trailer-mounted cherry picker to slip and topple.
If any part seems questionable, reposition to a safer spot or use stabilising pads under the wheels and outriggers. All the wheels and supports should rest on a solid base before using the machine.
What Stabilising Measures Should Support Safe Use On An Incline?
To keep the access equipment safe on an incline, use:
- Wheel chocks and the parking brake before unleashing the boom.
- Fully extended outriggers or stabilisers, ideally placed on solid pads or blocking if the ground is soft or uneven.
These will help keep the machine from slipping or tipping if the slope shifts under load or during manoeuvring.
Respecting Load Limits and Proper Boom-Lift Behaviour on Slopes
Elevation on a slope changes how the weight is distributed. If you overload the platform or carry uneven weight, the centre of gravity can shift unpredictably, putting your operation at risk of an incident.
Most machines come with specifications that detail the maximum slope and load limits permitted. Operating outside those limits will increase the chance of a tip-over or collapse.
Safety Procedures To Follow Before Raising The Platform
Before lifting your personnel or materials, you will want to confirm that:
- The controls, brakes, hydraulics and safety devices have been inspected and are operating properly.
- All workers are wearing suitable fall-protection gear and are using the basket floor, not leaning on or climbing over guardrails, and there are no makeshift extensions of the platform floor.
- The area around the lift is clear of obstacles or overhead hazards such as power lines or structures.
How Can Careful Setup Improve Your Work When Using A Cherry Picker On A Slope?
A carefully prepared setup will allow you to carry out elevated work without imposing unnecessary risk. Solid ground, proper stabilising, correct loading and diligent safety checks will reduce the chance of accidents. That reliability will help you complete work smoothly and with confidence.
If you need a trailer-mounted cherry picker that will get the job done safely, contact Sterling Access now to discuss our hire or sale options.
FAQs
Q: What ground conditions must be checked before parking a cherry picker on a slope?
A: You must ensure the ground is firm and as even as possible, inspecting for loose soil or debris that could shift under the machine’s weight.
Q: What stabilisation measures should be used for safe operation on an incline?
A: You should use wheel chocks, the parking brake, and fully extended outriggers or stabilisers, ideally placed on solid pads or blocking if the ground is soft or uneven.
Q: Why is it important to adhere to load limits when operating a cherry picker on a slope?
A: Elevation on a slope changes weight distribution, and overloading or carrying uneven weight can cause the centre of gravity to shift unpredictably, increasing the risk of an incident.