Trimming your trees can be essential if you want to keep them healthy and avoid the risks associated with falling dead branches. However, it can be hard to get into high trees. To help with the process, you may want to hire a boom lift.
1. Consider Hiring a Professional
Rather than doing the work yourself, you may want to hire a professional. The hire company who supplies the lift may be able to recommend someone, or you may be able to find a tree trimming professional with their own lift. In other cases, you may want to hire the boom lift and then find an experienced lift user through a labour hire company.
2. Opt for an Articulating Boom Lift
If you decide to hire a boom lift, opt for an articulating boom lift. While a traditional boom lift goes straight up and down, this style has knuckles which allow the lift to go in a variety of directions. That can be essential as you're trying to reach different parts of the tree.
3. Make Sure the Base Is Secure
Before you start working, find a patch of relatively level ground where you can park the base of the boom lift. Then, make sure that the wheels are locked into place and that the equipment is level before you go up the lift. You may want to place blocks of wood behind the wheels to prevent them from moving. Never move the base while the lift is extended—that could cause the lift to tip over.
4. Have Someone on the Ground
A lot of boom lifts come with controls in the bucket. That means you can get in the boom lift and raise and lower yourself. However, as you're going into tree branches, you risk getting stuck. To be on the safe side, you should have someone on the ground. They can be a second set of eyes as you navigate the boom, and if something happens, they can call for help or try to get you down.
5. Plan a Path in Advance
Ideally, you should take some time to identify a path before you start moving the boom lift. Look at the tree and decide exactly where you want to be to trim the branches. Then, note any obstacles such as power lines, branches or buildings, and plan how you're going to go around those elements.
6. Wear a Harness
Finally, remember to wear a fall harness. As you're leaning out of the lift to cut branches, you risk losing your balance, but a harness keeps you safe even if you do fall over the railing.
To learn more or to get started with your project, contact a company that does boom lift hire.
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