Cherry picker
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Cherry pickers are pieces of machinery easily identified by their long, extendible arm (or boom) with a cradle attached on the end. They are also known as telehandlers, telescopic handlers, and boom lifts.
Cherry pickers can be moved, and are versatile, with a boom able to extend forwards and upwards. Several different attachments can be fitted to the end of the boom, such as a cradle, bucket, pallet forks, muck grab, winch, and so on.
[edit] Uses
They are multi-purpose and flexible, ideal for any job that requires the user to work at height, in particular, in awkward locations.
[edit] Fruit picking
The name 'cherry picker' is derived from their original purpose - to help people pick cherries. It is still possible to find them being used in fruit orchards, helping to get the hard to reach fruit at the tops of trees and in difficult to reach locations.
These machines revolutionised how people could pick fruit and ensured the best fruit could always be picked in safe manner – with no danger of falling. They have also made the process of picking fruit more efficient through time savings and the reduced risk of losing fruit to falls.
Other uses of cherry pickers include:
[edit] Construction
Cherry pickers can be used to gain access to upper floors of construction works without needing to erect scaffolding or use cranes. Their mobility and flexibility means that they can give rapid access to a number of different locations.
[edit] Telegraph poles
Cherry pickers allow engineers to reach the top of telegraph poles to either inspect or repair cabling. This highly-skilled job has been made much less dangerous and complex by the use of cherry pickers. Previously, engineers had to ascend the poles a ladder, or by climbing them. Now they can reach the top in the relative safety of the cherry picker’s cradle with space for their tools and for multiple engineers.
[edit] Cleaning
Maintenance of building facades is very important, but can be difficult due to height, difficult shapes and poor access. Cherry pickers have made the process of cleaning and maintaining the more difficult-to-reach, lower parts properties easier and safer. Workers no longer need to use ladders or scaffolding whilst carrying tools, buckets and other equipment.
[edit] Fire and Rescue Service
The fire and rescue service can use cherry pickers to fight fires and save lives. They allow them to reach the higher floors of buildings and create a safe platform to step onto to reach safety.
[edit] Filming
Cherry pickers can be used for shots that require an elevated angle above a scene. Cameras can be mounted directly onto a cherry picker and remotely controlled to give sweeping aerial shots.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Back actor.
- Bituminous mixing and laying plant.
- CDM.
- Compressed air plant.
- Concreting plant.
- Crane regulations.
- Construction plant.
- Construction tools.
- Crane supports.
- Earth-moving plant.
- Excavating plant.
- Forklift truck.
- Lift table.
- Lifting device.
- Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs).
- Pallet jack.
- Power float.
- Scaffolding.
- Scissor lift.
- Stacker.
- Temporary works.
- Types of crane.
- Work at height regulations.
Featured articles and news
Quality Planning for Micro and Small to Medium Sized Enterprises
A CIOB Academy Technical Information sheet.
A briefing on fall protection systems for designers
A legal requirement and an ethical must.
CIOB Ireland launches manifesto for 2024 General Election
A vision for a sustainable, high-quality built environment that benefits all members of society.
Local leaders gain new powers to support local high streets
High Street Rental Auctions to be introduced from December.
Infrastructure sector posts second gain for October
With a boost for housebuilder and commercial developer contract awards.
Sustainable construction design teams survey
Shaping the Future of Sustainable Design: Your Voice Matters.
COP29; impacts of construction and updates
Amid criticism, open letters and calls for reform.
The properties of conservation rooflights
Things to consider when choosing the right product.
Adapting to meet changing needs.
London Build: A festival of construction
Co-located with the London Build Fire & Security Expo.
Tasked with locating groups of 10,000 homes with opportunity.
Delivering radical reform in the UK energy market
What are the benefits, barriers and underlying principles.
Information Management Initiative IMI
Building sector-transforming capabilities in emerging technologies.
Recent study of UK households reveals chilling home truths
Poor insulation, EPC knowledge and lack of understanding as to what retrofit might offer.
Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment
Overview, regulations, detail calculations and much more.
Why the construction sector must embrace workplace mental health support
Let’s talk; more importantly now, than ever.
Ensuring the trustworthiness of AI systems
A key growth area, including impacts for construction.
Comments