Working height and outreach
Start with the work position. Record the height of the task and the horizontal distance from the proposed setup point. Include any roof, parapet, tree canopy or other obstruction the boom must clear.
Look at the manufacturer’s working envelope with the expected platform load and permitted outrigger configuration. Maximum working height, maximum outreach and maximum platform capacity may refer to different positions or settings.
Transport dimensions and route clearance
Measure the clear opening with the gate or door in its travel position. Check hinges, handles, drainage channels, thresholds, overhead obstructions and the space needed to turn on either side. Send photographs and a sketch of the route.
Match width, height and length to the travel configuration in the manual. Confirm any removable components and whether they affect the route. Check the manufacturer’s travel and loading limits for the exact machine.
Ground Bearing Pressure and supporting structures
Travel loads and outrigger loads describe different conditions. Identify voids, buried services, cellars, drainage covers, uncompacted fill and suspended floors along the route and around the setup area. An ordinary-looking paved surface can conceal a structure below it.
Get the maximum individual outrigger load from the manufacturer or supplier. A competent assessment should establish what the ground or structure can support and what load-spreading arrangement is suitable.
Outrigger Jacking Envelope and work area
Allow space to deploy the outriggers and pads, then check the area the boom and chassis can sweep through. The transport footprint describes how the machine gets there. The setup footprint and working envelope determine what it can do once in place.
Power source and indoor use
Confirm which functions the proposed power option supports. If the machine uses a mains supply, check the required supply and how the cable will be routed. For a battery model, check charging arrangements and how the expected duty cycle fits the job. Confirm the model’s indoor rating and the site’s ventilation, noise and flooring restrictions.
Operated or self-drive hire
Self-drive hire places operation with your appropriately trained and familiarised team. Operated hire includes an operator within the supplier’s agreed scope. For either option, confirm who is responsible for the access route, working area, exclusion arrangements, supervision and rescue plan.