Our Guide to Cherry Pickers
Last Updated: 21 November 2025
In this blog we look at what you need to know about cherry pickers before hiring or purchasing from. Find out what they are, what you can use them for and everything you need to know when you hire or buy.
What is a cherry picker?
A cherry picker, also known as a boom lift, is a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) that allows workers to work at height easily and safely. They allow for workers to achieve up and over reach – perfect for difficult to reach locations.
What are cherry pickers used for?
Traditionally used for cherry picking, which is where they got their name, cherry pickers have become a stable piece of machinery in many different industries. They are perfect for use for construction, maintenance, cleaning and installation and even during rescue operations.
What should you consider when choosing a cherry picker?
When choosing the right cherry picker for your job, there are a few things to consider, we’ve listed them below.
- Height, the first and one of the most important things to consider is what height you will need to be able to reach. At Star Platform, we have cherry pickers that have height capabilities of up to 28 meters.
- Outreach, one of the main benefits of having a cherry picker is its outreach capabilities. So, the second thing to consider is what you will require. At Star Platforms, we have cherry pickers available with a reach of up to 17.37 metres.
- Weight capacity, think about what kind of job you will be completing and how much load capacity you will require. All machinery should have the capacity clearly stated on the machinery and should never be exceeded. At Star Platforms, we have cherry pickers that have a load capacity of up to 280kg.
- Terrain, what type of terrain will the cherry picker be operating on, it is important to consider this when purchasing or hiring a cherry picker to keep your workers safe.
- Indoor / outdoor suitability, will you be using the cherry picker indoor or outdoor or both? Cherry pickers are available in electric, diesel or hybrid. When being used indoors, cherry pickers must only be run on electricity.
If you are unsure what is the best type of cherry picker for your needs and requirements, then please get in touch and we can help!
Types of cherry pickers
There are a couple of different types of cherry pickers, including:
Telescopic Boom Lifts
Telescopic cherry pickers are also known as stick lifts or straight lifts. This type of cherry picker can only move its arm vertically. The platform can be moved directly up or down, but due to the straight, rigid arm, with very limited sideways movement. Due to their restricted range of movement, they aren’t well suited to small, compact spaces.
Articulated Boom Lifts
Articulated cherry pickers are also known as knuckled, jointed, or Z boom lifts. They are known as this because the extending arm that supports the platform features hinged joints that allow the platform to move in a horizontal direction, left to right, as well as upwards and downwards. Even though they can’t always reach as high as telescopic cherry pickers, they are a lot more agile allowing them to move up and over objects to reach tight or difficult areas.
Electric, diesel and hybrid cherry pickers
As well as the different types of booms on a cherry picker, they are also available in electric, diesel and hybrid.
- Electric cherry pickers, powered by electric motors rather than diesel engines, electric cherry pickers are great for indoor use. For outdoor use, electric cherry pickers that are suitable for rough terrain are a great option.
- Diesel cherry pickers, diesel cherry pickers are run on diesel, only suitable for outdoor use due to the emissions they release.
- Hybrid cherry pickers, a hybrid cherry picker means you can choose between using electricity and diesel, they are great when you will require both indoor and outdoor use.
If you’re looking for more information, read our blog on the types of cherry pickers.
What are the benefits of using a cherry picker?
Cherry pickers provide many additional benefits when used compared to more traditional equipment, such as ladders or scaffolding. Some of the key benefits are:
-
Safety
Cherry pickers are developed with safety in mind. Complete with safety railing, fall protection systems and other safety features – cherry pickers are considered a safer option than more traditional access equipment, such as ladders or scaffolding.
Even though training is not a legal requirement, providing MEWP training, such as IPAF training, to your operators can increase safety when operating cherry pickers.
-
Ease of Use and Productivity
Cherry pickers can be used as soon as they arrive and make getting to height quickly and easily which helps boost productivity and reduce the time it takes to complete your job.
Due to their reach capabilities, it allows for workers to easily and safely get to those hard to reach areas that would otherwise be inaccessible.
-
Versatility
As cherry pickers are available in electric, diesel and hybrid models they can be used indoors and outdoors and for a range of tasks. Many cherry pickers are small and compact which means they can easily fit through narrow doorways or tight spaces. Perfect for those hard to access places.
-
Environmentally friendly
Many cherry pickers are fully electric which produce zero emissions making them perfect for indoor use but also helping improve air quality and reduce pollutants outdoors. Hybrid cherry pickers means you can switch between electric and diesel modes, which can help reduce the amount of pollutants they produce while operating.
Looking to hire or buy a powered access platform?
If you’re ready to hire a powered access platform, we have both diesel and electric cherry pickers, scissor lifts, or low-level platforms to choose from—we have over 4,000 powered access machines in our fleet and access to over 10,000 platforms nationally.
Alternatively, if you’re looking to purchase or hire electric or hybrid powered access platforms, then you’re in the right place. At Star Platforms, we have new and used access platforms for hire and for purchase.
If you’re in need of a generator for your next project, our sister company, Star Power, has a range of temporary power solutions including generator hire and battery energy storage systems.
If you need help choosing the right equipment for your needs and requirements, then our team at Star Platforms can help – get in touch today.
- Access Platforms Explained: A Straight-Talking Guide for UK Sites - 3 October 2025
- How to Choose the Right Scissor Lift for the Job - 19 September 2025
- Can Scissor Lifts Be Used Outside? - 19 September 2025
