A ladder hoist is an inclined transport lift: an extending ladder along which a platform or carrier travels up and down on a winch. The hoist is set up against the façade and delivers material to a window, a balcony or the roof. It is also called a furniture lift or a removal lift, and when used for building materials, a roofing hoist.
What it is used for
- Removals — furniture in or out through a window where the staircase is too narrow
- Roof work — tiles, insulation, roofing membrane and tools onto the roof slope
- Façade work — windows and glazing to an upper floor
- Strip-out and disposal — rubble and old material down to ground level
What to watch out for
- Reach — common hire models reach roughly 20 to 30 metres; check in advance which floor you need to reach
- Lifting capacity — read the load chart for the model. The permitted load falls as the ladder is extended and the angle changes
- Set-up position — a level, load-bearing surface and enough room for the outriggers. Watch for manhole covers, crawl spaces, cellar slabs and garden paving
- Obstructions — canopies, balconies, trees, roof overhangs and above all overhead power lines determine whether the set-up is possible
- Permission — setting up on the public highway or in a parking bay usually needs a licence from the local authority and a temporary parking suspension; arrange this well in advance
- Wind — the ladder presents a large surface to the wind, and work stops in strong wind. The hire company will give a limit
Hiring with or without an operator
Hire companies usually offer both:
- Self-hire — you collect the hoist on a trailer and set it up yourself. Reckon on a day rate in the order of 90 to 200 euros depending on height and model. Do this with at least two people and only after proper instruction
- With an operator — the hire company supplies an operator and charges by the hour, usually with a call-out or set-up charge and a minimum period. For a short job on an awkward site that is often the better choice
Never let anyone ride on the platform: a ladder hoist is a goods hoist, not a passenger lift.
Related terms
- Builders hoist
- Mobile tower
- Powered access platform
- Lifting
- Fall protection
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