While rental companies take care of equipment maintenance for you, you and your team are responsible for daily inspections and safety checks. An aerial lift daily inspection helps your company keep equipment in top shape during your rental period, and safety checks prevent damage and injuries.
Does Rental Equipment Require Maintenance?
If you rent aerial lifts, you should perform the following maintenance tasks while you have and use the equipment:
Pre-Use Checks
As a renter, you should inspect equipment before accepting it from the rental company and using it. Rental companies typically inspect equipment before and after a rental period, but it’s important to do your own review. This check allows you to confirm that the aerial lift is free of complications and notify the rental company if there are any repair needs.
Daily Inspections or Walk-Arounds
An aerial lift daily walk-around or inspection helps you keep your rental in good shape so you can avoid potential damage and associated costs. Your staff should operate rented equipment with as much care as they would a company-owned lift, and daily inspections enable you to monitor equipment health while it’s under your management.
Daily Safety Checks
Daily safety checks are also important to ensure your rented equipment is safe for use. Safety checks are vital for employee and equipment inspection.
Weekly Checks
If you rent equipment for several weeks or months, you should also perform a weekly check. Weekly checks are a little more in-depth than daily checks, and they are an extra precaution to make sure the equipment remains in excellent shape while under your supervision.
Daily Aerial Lift Maintenance Checklist
Contacting the rental company as soon as you notice any complications or maintenance needs is essential. Letting them know about complications promptly can help you prevent or shorten project delays. Perform the following checks before renting a piece of equipment and each day during your rental period:
1. Visual Damage
Walk around the aerial lift and check for visual damage, such as the following:
- Dents
- Scratches or peeling paint
- Discoloration
- Corrosion
- Loose hoses
- Warping
- Missing or misaligned parts
- Loose connections
- Abrasions
- Leaks
- Frayed wires
- Missing or damaged fasteners or connections
- Wheel or tire damage
2. Lift Controls and Functions
Test the following aerial lift controls in the lift body and basket before starting daily operations:
- Gauges
- Steering
- Forward and reverse controls
- Brakes
- Lift mechanism up and down controls
- Boom extension and retraction
- Outrigger deployment
- Mode selector switch for alternating between driving and lifting
- Tilt controls for adjusting the basket’s angle
- Platform control key switch
3. Proper Storage and Cleaning
Proper storage and cleaning are crucial for preventing damage and accidents during your rental period. Complete these tasks after use each day:
- Park the lift in a safe place where it is out of the way of other equipment traffic.
- Neutralize the controls.
- Turn the lift’s power off.
- Chock the lift’s wheels.
- Remove the key.
- Leave the telescopic arms or boom in an up position.
- Clean with warm water and non-abrasive soap if necessary.
Removing dirt and dust from your rented lift increases visibility for operators and prevents paint damage and rust so you can return the lift in top shape.
Daily Aerial Lift Safety Checklist
Performing a daily safety check ensures a rented lift is in safe working condition and employees practice safe operation. Check the following safety elements of your rented lift before operation each day:
1. Safety Labels
During your safety check, check that labels regarding the following elements are in place and clearly visible:
- Load capacity
- Operational instructions
- Electrical proximity hazard warnings
- Stability hazard warnings
- Outrigger deployment
- Emergency procedures
- Control panel functions
- PPE requirement reminders
Safety labels remind workers how to operate equipment properly, avoid potential hazards and use the proper PPE during use.
2. Safety Systems and Alarms
Ensure the following safety systems work properly before starting operation:
- Emergency stop button
- Horn
- Backup alarms
- Lights
Aerial Lift Inspection Checklist for Longer Rental Periods
If you rent an aerial lift for several weeks or months, perform the above daily checks and the following weekly checks until your rental period ends:
1. Fluid Levels
Regularly monitor these fluid levels and notify the rental company when the lift is due for a change or runs low:
- Coolant
- Hydraulic fluid
- Oil
- Transmission fluid
2. Leaks
Check these areas, components and systems for leaks:
- Hydraulic hoses and connections
- Ground beneath the lift
- Inside the lift’s drive motor
3. Parts Operation and General Wear
Check the following elements to confirm whether a lift is in good working condition and check for general wear:
- Performance: Test the lift’s operation, such as startup, running performance, lift mechanism performance and stopping mechanisms. Pay close attention to see if the lift operates as usual, listening for any irregular sounds and noticing any delays in startup.
- Lubrication points: It’s also important to check for signs of general wear. If you notice dry or dirty lubrication points, let the rental company know the lift requires lubrication. Grinding and stiff movement can also indicate that a lift requires lubrication.
Maintenance Services and Rentals for When Your Owned Equipment Is Down
Maintenance is especially crucial when you own a lift because you are responsible for its longevity, operational health and repair costs. MacAllister Machinery offers dependable aerial lift maintenance and repair services to help you maintain a long-lasting, efficient aerial lift. You can trust us to perform the following services:
- Field
- Hydraulic
- Undercarriage
- Repair and Rebuild
- Fluid analysis
We also offer quality lift rentals, so you can continue operations while your lift is under repair. Browse our available aerial lifts for your jobsite projects:
- Atrium lifts
- Electric boom lifts
- Towable boom lifts
- Articulated knuckle booms
- Straight telescopic booms
- Electric scissor lifts
- Rough terrain scissor lifts
Rent Aerial Lifts From MacAllister Rentals
Daily and weekly equipment checks help you maintain your equipment and keep it in top shape throughout the rental period. MacAllister Rentals offers high-quality rental equipment to meet your needs. Whether you’re looking to temporarily replace a lift that’s in the repair shop, rent equipment for a quick project, or rent a lift for a longer period, we have the equipment to help you work efficiently.
MacAllister Rentals takes care of regular maintenance and repairs, so all you have to handle are pre-use checks, daily walk-arounds, safety checks and weekly checks if you have a long-term rental. We respond quickly to any maintenance or repair needs during your rental period and offer replacements when necessary so you can keep your work on schedule. Contact us to learn more about our available rental equipment and request a quote.
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