Selection
How to choose a MEWP
A specification-led process for choosing a MEWP by work position, access route, capacity, surface and operating environment.
Start from the work, not the machine
It's tempting to start by picking a category, boom, scissor, spider, and work backwards, but that skips the one step that actually narrows things down: defining the work position. You need the platform-floor height (not working height), the horizontal distance to the task, and the load that needs to be in the platform at once, people, tools and materials together.
On booms and truck mounts especially, maximum outreach is often only available at a reduced basket load, or within a limited slew sector rather than a full 360 degrees. A machine that looks like it reaches far enough on paper can fall short once you load it the way the job actually requires.
Walk the whole access route, not just the work area
The narrowest doorway, the lowest soffit, the tightest turning space and any floor or bridge loading limit between the unloading point and the work position all matter as much as the machine's operating dimensions. It's easy to check whether a machine fits the room it needs to work in and forget to check whether it can actually get there.
Stowed dimensions, not deployed ones, are what decide whether a machine makes it through a route at all. Our width guide covers how to read those figures properly, including the clearance you should leave beyond the quoted number.
Confirm the operating conditions before you commit
Indoor or outdoor rating, wind limits, ground conditions, the deployed stabiliser footprint, any emissions restrictions on site, and rescue arrangements all need checking before a shortlist becomes a booking. A machine that clears every dimensional check can still be the wrong choice if the ground won't take its weight or the site is emissions-restricted and the only available unit is diesel.
The catalogue is a filtering tool, not a substitute for that final, site-specific judgement. Use it to get to a short list of two or three real candidates, then confirm the details with the manufacturer or a competent supplier before the job starts.