As temperatures begin to fall, making sure your powered access equipment is prepared for colder conditions can help prevent unnecessary downtime and keep your machines performing at their best.
MEWP winter maintenance doesn’t need to be complicated. Cold temperatures, wet weather, frost and longer periods of inactivity can all affect access equipment, but a few simple checks can help keep your scissor lifts, boom lifts and other MEWPs ready for work throughout the winter months.
Here are some of the key areas to consider when preparing your access platform for winter.
Battery care should be a priority for anyone operating electric powered access equipment during winter.
Cold temperatures can affect battery performance, which means electric scissor lifts, boom lifts and mast lifts may need additional attention as temperatures drop.
Get into the habit of regularly charging your machine rather than waiting until the battery is almost completely depleted. If a MEWP is going to be left unused over a weekend or longer shutdown, make sure it is stored and charged in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Charging cables, plugs and connections should also be checked for visible signs of wear or damage.
A good charging routine is one of the simplest pieces of MEWP winter maintenance you can carry out – and it could prevent an unwanted delay when you arrive on site.
Pre-use inspections are essential throughout the year, but winter conditions can introduce additional hazards.
Before starting work, inspect the MEWP and look for any obvious signs of damage, leaks, tyre problems or warning indicators.
You should also pay attention to areas affected by the weather.
Frost and ice can make steps, platform floors and access points slippery, while mud and standing water can create additional hazards around the machine.
Taking a few minutes to properly inspect your equipment before starting work can help identify potential problems before they result in downtime.
Anyone working outdoors in the UK will know how quickly equipment can become covered in mud and dirt during winter.
While keeping a MEWP spotless on a busy construction site might not be realistic, excessive mud and debris shouldn’t be allowed to build up.
Regular cleaning makes it easier to inspect the machine and identify potential issues. Pay particular attention to platform floors, steps and access points where mud, water or ice could increase the risk of slipping.
Winter doesn’t only affect your MEWP – it can completely change the surface you’re operating it on.
Heavy rainfall can turn firm ground into soft or waterlogged terrain, while freezing temperatures can create slippery surfaces.
Ground conditions should therefore be assessed before positioning or travelling with a MEWP.
If you’re working outdoors on challenging terrain, the machine you use needs to be suitable for those conditions. Rough-terrain scissor lifts and boom lifts, for example, are designed for very different environments to compact electric machines intended for smooth surfaces.
When choosing a MEWP, consider the working height and outreach you need alongside the terrain, available space and overall working environment.
Tyres are another important part of winter MEWP maintenance.
Before operating your machine, inspect its tyres as part of your normal pre-use checks and look for visible damage or excessive wear.
The combination of poor tyre condition and slippery winter surfaces can create unnecessary problems, so anything unusual should be reported before the machine is put to work.
Christmas shutdowns and quieter winter periods can result in powered access equipment remaining unused for longer than normal.
If you know a machine will be standing for an extended period, take the time to prepare it beforehand.
Make sure electric machines are appropriately charged and follow the manufacturer’s guidance regarding longer-term storage.
When you’re ready to use the MEWP again, complete the necessary pre-use inspection rather than assuming it will be in exactly the same condition as when you left it.
MEWP winter maintenance isn’t limited to electric machines.
Diesel-powered boom lifts and scissor lifts can also be affected by colder conditions. Existing battery or maintenance issues may become more noticeable when temperatures fall, particularly when starting a machine after it has been standing.
Regular servicing and maintenance can help identify potential issues before they become more serious.
If a machine repeatedly struggles to start, displays warning lights or isn’t operating as expected, have the issue investigated rather than repeatedly attempting to use it.
Preparing the machine itself is only one part of safe winter working.
Wind, heavy rain, frost, ice and poor visibility can all affect whether work at height can be carried out safely.
Always follow the manufacturer’s operating limits for the specific MEWP you’re using, alongside your site’s risk assessments and safe working procedures.
If the conditions aren’t suitable for working at height, wait until they improve.
Preparing powered access equipment for winter doesn’t require a huge amount of additional work.
The key is consistency.
Keep batteries charged, carry out your pre-use checks, monitor tyre and ground conditions, keep equipment clean and don’t ignore changes in how a machine is performing.
Building these simple checks into your routine can help reduce avoidable downtime and keep your powered access equipment ready for work throughout the colder months.
At Aerial Platforms, we provide a wide range of powered access equipment for hire, including scissor lifts, boom lifts, vertical mast lifts and rough-terrain access platforms for projects across the UK.
Choosing the right MEWP is particularly important during winter, when changing ground and weather conditions can affect the type of machine suitable for the job.
Our team can help you choose powered access equipment based on your required working height, outreach, site conditions and working environment.
Need a MEWP for an upcoming project? Get in touch with Aerial Platforms today and our team will help you find the right machine for the job.