PTA stands for Aerial Work Platform, now technically referred to as MEWP (Mobile Elevating Work Platform). It’s a mechanical device designed to lift people, tools, and materials to perform tasks at height with complete safety.
The use of these machines has grown in Brazil as they replace scaffolding and ladders with greater agility and operational efficiency. Choosing the right model for each application is crucial to ensure productivity and strict compliance with technical safety standards for workers and projects.
What are the types of Aerial Work Platforms?
The correct choice among different types of aerial platforms directly impacts team safety and scheduling, whether for repairs, maintenance, or construction. Each model has a specific lifting system to overcome challenges like ground obstacles or horizontal reaches, as well as the capacity to support different loads and weights.
Understanding the technical characteristics prevents common mistakes, such as renting equipment that can’t perform at the worksite or can’t support the weight of the operators being lifted.
Tecnogera uses electric and lithium battery-powered platforms, which operate quietly and sustainably.
Scissor Lifts
The scissor lift performs exclusively vertical lifting and stands out for its great stability and large work area in the basket. It’s the most sought-after solution for those needing to lift multiple operators and heavy tools simultaneously.
- Typical Height: generally ranges from 6 to 18 meters of working height.
- Capacity: supports larger loads, ideal for electrical installations and fire systems.
- Application: perfect for maintenance in warehouses and flat facades with firm, level ground.
Articulating Boom Lifts
The articulating boom lift features a jointed arm that allows it to maneuver around physical obstacles in the environment. It offers excellent lateral reach, enabling the basket to access hard-to-reach points over machines or structures.
- Versatility: suitable for areas with many obstacles on the ground or overhead.
- Common Use: widely used in industrial maintenance, tree pruning, and event setups, whether booths or stages.
- Application: can be used indoors or outdoors.
Telescopic Boom Lifts
Unlike the articulating type, the telescopic boom has a straight arm that extends to reach the maximum working height. It’s the fastest equipment for reaching extreme elevations, making it the ideal choice for locations where the base needs to stay distant from the service point.
- Reach: offers the greatest horizontal and vertical reach on the market, reaching over 50 meters.
- Environment: ideal for large structures, building facade maintenance, and transmission towers.
- Performance: recommended for large construction sites where lift speed is a priority.
Personal Vertical Lifts
Vertical lifts, also known as mast lifts, are smaller equipment focused on agility in confined spaces. They are lightweight and compact, able to pass through standard doors and enter service elevators without difficulty.
- Portability: offer numerous advantages over ladders for internal building maintenance.
- Sectors: widely used in hospitals, offices, hotels, and shopping malls for changing light bulbs and installations, such as signage and decorative elements.
- Floors: being lightweight, they are ideal for working on delicate floors that can’t support heavy machinery.
Where are Aerial Work Platforms used? The aerial work platform is a universal tool for any sector requiring interventions above two meters. Its use is mandatory for companies seeking compliance with NR 18 and NR 35, minimizing risks of falls and accidents.
- Industrial Installations: assembly of pipelines, wiring, and maintenance of overhead cranes.
- Logistics and Distribution Centers: inventory organization on pallet racks and lighting maintenance.
- Construction: facade painting, glass installation, and finishing in large spans.
- Event Sector: installation of banners, lighting structures, and professional sound systems.
Advantages of Using Aerial Platforms in Different Sectors
Aerial platforms have become strategic equipment for increasing productivity, reducing risks, and speeding up operations by eliminating the time needed to assemble fixed structures. They allow workers to reach the exact point of service in minutes with total ergonomic comfort and safety.
- Financial Efficiency: renting an AWP allows you to focus on your business without needing to invest in equipment, maintenance, or specialized labor for operation.
- Safety: tilt sensors and emergency buttons prevent accidents with operators and damage to facilities, avoiding losses and productivity downtime.
- Sustainability: electric models powered by lithium batteries allow 24-hour work without noise or pollutant emissions.
How to Choose the Right AWP for Each Situation?
Choosing the right equipment requires a prior technical analysis to avoid extra costs with exchange freight. Proper use of an AWP always begins with evaluating the scenario where the machine will be operated, the load to be lifted, and the type of movement.
Check out these tips:
- Measure the Working Height: consider the height of the service point plus the operator’s arm reach.
- Assess the Terrain: uneven ground requires 4×4 traction, while finished floors need non-marking tires.
- Identify Obstacles: check for barriers that prevent vertical ascent, requiring an articulating boom.
- Check Load Capacity: add the weight of the operator, tools, and materials that will be lifted in the basket.
- Operating Environment: in enclosed or public areas, always opt for electric models to avoid noise and fumes.
Rent AWPs Safely with Tecnogera!
Tecnogera is a national leader in energy security and height work solutions, offering a modern and technological fleet of over 2000 pieces of equipment. Our platforms are 100% electric and use lithium batteries, ensuring greater autonomy and quick recharging for your operation.
Our aerial platform rental is your best choice, providing your company with access to rigorous inspection and preventive maintenance control. This ensures the machine is always available, avoiding downtime that disrupts your project’s schedule and budget.
Don’t risk your team’s safety with improvised methods or outdated equipment. Contact our consultants and discover how the right Aerial Work Platform can elevate your business’s productivity and safety.
