HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PLATFORM FOR YOUR FLEET

Cost, efficiency, safety – there’s a lot to consider when investing in an access platform. Here’s how to navigate the procurement matrix.

There’s a lot to think about when investing in a new vehicle-mounted access platform. How much does it cost? How much fuel will it use? What safety measures are in place? How high, and far can it reach? And how much payload is left in the vehicle?

But these priorities are only part of the picture. The manufacturer you choose, the support you receive, the availability and cost of parts, and the platform’s ability to adapt to your changing requirements can all have a significant impact on your fleet over its working life.

If you’re considering investing in a new access platform, our engineers share five things to look for, the questions to ask your manufacturer and some potential pitfalls to be aware of.

1. Cost of ownership – what will your platform really cost during its working life?

The upfront cost of purchasing a platform is only part of the story. You also need to consider the total cost of ownership – which includes the cost of parts, servicing and potential break down call outs. A platform that costs less to buy isn’t necessarily the cheapest option over its working life. Lower parts costs and reducing wear and tear on your vehicles can make a significant difference to the overall cost of running your fleet.

For more information on, please see: The True Cost of Owning An Access Platform

Ask your manufacturer: if my platform needed a new basket, what would you look to charge?

2. Availability of parts – how quickly can you get replacement parts?

And how much are they going to cost? Parts availability can have a direct impact on fleet downtime. If a replacement component has to be sourced from overseas or through multiple suppliers, a simple repair could leave a vehicle-mounted access platform off the road for weeks.

At Aldercote, we stock our parts in-house, meaning customers and service engineers can get the components they need quickly. No overseas delays, no middlemen - just the right part when it’s needed.

Ask your manufacturer: which parts do you hold in stock and how quickly can you supply them?

3. Longterm manufacturer relationship – who will support your access platform after purchase?

Your vehicle-mounted access platform will be in service for many years. During that time, you’ll forge a relationship with your manufacturer as the platform needs servicing, repairs are required or breakdowns need addressing. So you need to pick a manufacturer that prioritises engineering excellence, has excellent customer service and knows its machinery like the back of their hands.

Ask your manufacturer: what support do you provide throughout the platform’s working life eg repairs, replacement parts or engineering assistance?

4. Flexibility – can your vehicle-mounted access platform be configured to your requirements?

A standard platform doesn’t necessarily mean a standard solution. While the core platform may already be the right fit, different fleets and operators can have different requirements. Look for a manufacturer that can offer flexibility around options and specification – and, where something isn’t already available, has the engineering expertise to find new solutions.

Ask your manufacturer: how can this platform be adapted to meet what I need?

5. Future-proofing – can your platform adapt as your fleet and requirements change?

Your new platform will be in service for years. During that time, your fleet, customers and the work you undertake may all change. A platform that’s perfectly suited to today’s requirements may not be the right solution in the future.

This could include anything from retrofitting a modification or upgrading components to exploring future control-system developments. And where a particular modification isn’t possible, an engineering-led manufacturer can work with you to consider alternative solutions. Whether it’s an additional option today, a modification later or a requirement that hasn’t been considered before, talk to us. If there’s a practical engineering solution, we’ll work with you to explore it.

Ask your manufacturer: can you modify, upgrade or adapt the platform as your requirements evolve?. Choosing a manufacturer with in-house engineering expertise can give you greater flexibility throughout the platform’s working life, rather than leaving you with a machine that has become unsuitable for your operation.

Ultimately, choosing the right platform is about more than the specification in front of you today – it’s about choosing the right manufacturer to support you throughout its working life. As an engineering-led manufacturer, we can support you with everything from parts and servicing to additional options, modifications and future developments. Talk to our team about what you need today – and what you might need tomorrow.

Where to get more advice…

We’ll be at Vertikal Days this September, so you’ll get a chance to ask us all of the above questions – and more – as well as tour some of our platforms. See you there!