An aerial work platform, sometimes called a cherry picker, cherry helicopter, lifting work pole, fixed platform or mobile crane, is a man-liftable mechanical device used in the construction of high-rise buildings, usually at high above ground level. It can be used in various applications such as putting up light structures, installing cranes, and other mechanical systems, and lifting vehicles. In its simplest form, it consists of a pair of steerable landing wheels attached to a larger platform that can be extended by mechanical or hydraulic means to reach a pre-designated height. The ground clearance, available for trucks with extended sides or those with flexible sides, is usually greater than 1.6m.
The aerial work platform has a number of uses. They are ideal for installing light towers, pre-construction building works, and for any other type of construction job where maximum efficiency is required. They are often called cherry pickers or cherry boomers and are almost always fitted with a crane and winch system to raise the work platform to a desired height. This safety mechanism prevents the platform from tilting or falling. The crane can then be utilized for other tasks such as installing girders, column lines, power poles, or even columns without needing the assistance of another person. If one is required to move the cherry picker platform during construction or repair, then the crane can be lifted by hand, using cranes, or by an automated vehicle.
The lift itself is generally a large truck with one or more engine types, including gasoline, diesel, internal combustion, and the laser type xe nang may dau 2 tan. Depending on the application, one might need to lift a variety of objects either horizontally or vertically. As it is, a cherry picker is capable of carrying different weight levels, which would include a heavy object on one end and a lighter object on the other, and in either case, the platform can be operated with either one or two modes.
The lifting capacity of a cherry picker is usually in the order of twenty to fifty tons, depending on the model used. The truck itself also carries a hydraulic system and this allows it to raise and lower its load in a manual manner, or by using an electric motor. Hydraulic operation is preferred as it allows one to control the speed at which the truck moves. Speed can be increased using the brake button and then again when the truck is in motion. Electric motors are much simpler to operate and thus are less expensive. Electric platforms are also typically easier to install than their gas-powered counterparts.
For many years, aerial work platforms were controlled by an operator sitting in front of the lift. With the modern developments in technology however, this is not the case anymore. In an effort to simplify things and to make the operation more efficient, newer aerial lifts now have controls installed either at the base of the cherry pickers themselves or at another location. If the base control is located on the ground, a remote control device may be used instead. This remote control will allow the person operating the lift to control all the functions from a distance.
An aerial work platform truck is usually installed by a qualified company who has been given authorization by the relevant authorities to do so. A cherry picker usually weighs about a tonne and is approximately fifteen metres long, although this can vary depending on the model in question. The platform used is generally connected to the ground with a cable and rope, and this makes for the ease of transporting it from one location to another. Many companies that offer these services can install it within a few hours and charge for this service. After the installation is complete, the customer will be able to enjoy the advantages offered by the lift and leave the rest up to professionals.