Telehandlers, mobile cranes, cherrypickers, boom lifts – what’s the difference?

How to decide on the aerial work platform that’s right for you

You’re looking for a machine that lifts and carries things, but you don’t know whether to find a telehandler, a cherrypicker, a boom lift or a scissor lift. And what’s a teleporter? This article outlines the different options so you can make an informed choice.

Cherrypickers and boom lifts

Cherrypickers, also known as boom lifts, were originally developed for use in fruit orchards where they gave workers better access to the fruit they were picking. Since then they have been adapted for use in a wide variety of industries.

They are designed for relatively light lifting. A cherry picker with man cage can carry a maximum of around 200 kg. Their light construction means they can be powered by either diesel or electricity, with the electrical ones well suited to indoor use. These lifters can also be mounted on the backs of trucks, in which case they are known as bucket trucks.

See our range of cherry pickers for hire.

Scissor lifts

Scissor lifts belong in the same class as cherrypickers and boom lifts, though their use is limited to vertical lifting.

They use a criss-cross pattern of supports to lift a platform and lower it again. Scissor lifts are used in indoor and outdoor tasks where the main requirement is to carry personnel or light equipment to an elevated position.

Mobile cranes and telehandlers

A mobile crane is a telescopic boom mounted on a self-propelled base. Mobile cranes are generally considerably larger than cherrypickers and boom lifts and are designed for carrying heavier loads. Their other main feature is that they are designed for mobility – so they can drive on roads or cover rough offroad terrain without having to be carried there on another vehicle.

At Liftup Teleporter, we specialise in a type of mobile crane called a telehandler or teleporter. Telehandlers are extremely versatile and mobile, making them ideal for a wide range of industries. Their versatility is achieved through the use of attachments that fit to the end of the telescopic boom. Standard attachments are available, and custom ones can be designed and built (we are specialists in this too!). The Magni telehandler pictured on the right can lift up to 5 tons and has a maximum boom reach of just under 30 metres.

Read more about our mobile crane telehandlers for hire.

Still not sure what you need?

If you’re not sure what kind of machine you need to hire, give us a call and we’ll give the right advice. While we only hire or sell mobile crane telehandlers, we will happily point you in the right direction if your job is more suited to another kind of machine. Call us now and discuss your requirements.