Cherry pickers, also known as Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs), are becoming an increasingly popular tool for homeowners looking to safely tackle high-level tasks. If you reside in Hull and need to access heights for DIY, building, or gardening work, hiring a cherry picker offers a safer, more flexible alternative to traditional ladders and scaffolding. AFI Rentals, for example, is one company that has a depot in Hull.
Below are three demanding projects that you might not have realized you can safely tackle yourself with a hired cherry picker, especially for shorter-term projects where they are often more cost-effective than scaffolding.
H2: Why Choose a Cherry Picker Over Scaffolding for DIY?
Cherry pickers are versatile machines powered by hydraulic pressure, known for their quick setup, which is a key advantage over traditional scaffolding. While scaffolding for a single tower (up to 10m high) might cost around £625 per week, a cherry picker typically costs around £300 per day or £30 per hour for a one-man crew across the UK. This makes hourly or daily hire the most cost-effective option for smaller tasks.
H2: Project 1: Safe Roof Repairs and Cleaning
Accessing your roof can be risky, as using ladders and ridge ladders is quickly becoming an unacceptable method for safe access. A cherry picker provides a safe and stable working platform to access the roof level.
You can use the stable platform for several roof-related tasks:
- Roof Cleaning: This includes pressure washing, steam cleaning, or scraping moss using manual scrapers.
- Minor Repairs: Cherry pickers are excellent for accessing the ridge level to perform minor roof repairs, particularly when working on the gable of a house.
H2: Project 2: Tackling High-Level Gutter Cleaning
Gutter cleaning is one of the most common uses for cherry pickers, offering a much safer alternative to ladders when access is suitable. Using an MEWP allows you to reach an ideal working height for cleaning.
For properties over three or four stories high, the effectiveness of telescopic equipment, such as a vacuum system (like a SkyVac), decreases due to the weight of the poles. A cherry picker is highly useful here, especially when dealing with large amounts of solid sludge or vegetation that is easier to remove manually. An added benefit is that the platform often provides a 240 or 110 power supply, allowing you to plug in your gutter cleaning vacuum while elevated.
H2: Project 3: Exterior Painting and Decoration
For routine exterior maintenance, such as painting and decorating exterior walls, people often opt for expensive scaffolding. If your job is relatively small, using a cherry picker where access is suitable can be much more cost-effective than hiring a scaffolding tower.
A cherry picker offers the necessary mobility and safety to get up to height, ensuring a safe platform for tools and materials while carrying out work on the exterior of a building.
H2: Important Considerations for Hiring in Hull
Before tackling these projects, safety and local regulations must be prioritized.
1. Licensing and Operation: If you hire a cherry picker that weighs under 3.5 tonnes, you can legally operate it if you possess a valid UK driving license. However, hiring a trained operator is strongly recommended for safety purposes, or you must undergo proper training yourself. While not legally mandatory, contractors and employers typically insist on seeing an IPAF (International Powered Access Federation) or equivalent certification.
2. Permits in Hull: If you plan to place the cherry picker (or MEWP/scissor lift) on an adopted highway in Hull, you are legally required to obtain a highway permit from Hull City Council. Note that these permits can take approximately 10 working days to process.
By bundling multiple tasks—for instance, cleaning the gutters while performing roof repairs—you can maximize the value of your hire and reduce overall costs. Cherry pickers offer flexibility and affordability for various tasks around the home and garden.
A cherry picker acts like a highly specialized, mobile lighthouse platform; instead of relying on precarious ladders (like trying to work off a slender flagpole) or long, fixed scaffolding (like building a temporary wooden cliff), the MEWP provides a secure, adjustable basket that you can maneuver precisely where you need it for swift, safe operation.