What Can Cherry Pickers Be Used for?
Last Updated: 21 November 2025
Cherry pickers, which are also commonly known as boom lifts, are a type of powered access platform that allows users to reach heights easily and safely. Being extremely versatile, cherry pickers are used in a variety of different industries for different purposes. In this blog, we explore exactly what cherry pickers can be used for.
1. Construction Sites
One of the most common places you will see cherry pickers being used is on a construction site. Cherry pickers allow workers to reach hard to reach places at height safely, without the need for more traditional, time-consuming and potentially more costly methods such as ladders and scaffolding.
They can be used for many things including cladding, electrical installation such as lighting, air conditioning, fitting windows, painting, and whatever else is needed to be completed at height. With them being easily manoeuvred around a construction site, they are the perfect tool for getting the job done.
2. Warehouses and Logistics
Cherry pickers have become a stable piece of machinery in warehouses, they are used for picking and packing goods, performing maintenance jobs, such as cleaning and/or repairs and installing/moving shelves.
Due to their easy moverability, as well as the ability to lift personal and goods to height, they make tasks in warehouses quicker and easier. As a lot of scissor lifts are small and compact, they are great for fitting down tight aisles and through narrow doorways.
3. Film and Media Production
When film and media production companies require aerial shots, many of them use cherry pickers. They allow them to raise film production equipment to height to get the unique filming shots. You may see them helping film live sporting events due to them allowing shots from height. In addition, cherry pickers are used for set construction and lighting rigs to light the set, particularly at night.
4. Maintenance and Repairs
Aside from maintenance and repairs on construction sites and warehouses, you may see cherry pickers being used for many different maintenance and repair jobs all over. Perfect for fixing or installing road lighting, repairing electrical wiring, cleaning public spaces and providing repairs to public buildings.
5. Tree Care and Landscaping
Although less commonly used, cherry pickers can be used for various landscaping products such as pruning or maintaining trees – they are a great tool when removing hard-to-reach branches, trimming tall trees and cutting down trees. Due to their manoeuvrability and increased safety, they can help speed up tree care jobs while increasing the safety of workers.
6. Events
Due to electric cherry pickers being on the market, it allows for both indoor and outdoor use making them perfect for helping set up big indoor and outdoor events. Whether it’s installing lighting, building stages, banners, signage, or artwork, They can help install seating at larger venues – making them the perfect cost-effective solution in the events management industry.
7. Public Utilities
Cherry pickers are a useful tool in keeping public utilities running harmoniously at all times. They are highly effective in helping professionals to repair and maintain things like:
- Street lamps
- Telephone cables
- Power lines
- Traffic lights
Cherry picker hire allows engineers access to a wide range of overhead utility infrastructure. They are highly maneuverable, safe and secure. As such, engineers can deliver fast and effective solutions without worrying about their safety.
8. Signage Installation
Your signage says a lot about your business. It can help you to attract more foot traffic and help your brand to stand out on a visually busy high street. Cherry picker hire is an affordable and effective way to install your signage, with ample space for the signage and the people installing it. They’re not just useful for shop fronts, either. They can be used for bridges, billboards, freestanding towers and anywhere else you want to spread your message!
9. Fire & Rescue Services
Cherry pickers can even aid emergency service workers in rescue operations. In the event of a fire or similar emergency, they can be used to gain ingress into areas where access may otherwise be impossible. The generous capacity of the basket allows more people to be rescued from burning or unsound buildings for faster and safer operations that minimise manual carrying.
10. Roof and Guttering Repairs
Need to make repairs to your roof or guttering, but don’t much like the idea of climbing up there? Cherry picker hire is the perfect solution! Whether you’re a professional or a DIY diehard, cherry pickers are great for providing access to the roof and guttering of tall houses and commercial buildings. What’s more, the manoeuvrable hydraulic arm allows access without disruption to the ground around the building. Perfect for those who want to access the roofing without damaging the flower beds!
11. Window Washing
While many window washers use scaffolding to safely clean the windows of large buildings, these do not always allow for optimal cleaning. Aside from the time taken to erect scaffolding, there’s also the complications that can be caused by expansion joints or signage that may impede proper access to the building. A boom lift delivers targeted cleaning where you need it most.
12. Agriculture
As we can see, cherry pickers have a wide range of uses but they can still be deployed in their agricultural birthplace. Farmers may use boom lifts to repair and maintain silos and barns that may be difficult and unsafe to access via ladder. They can, of course, also be used for quick, easy and safe fruit harvesting. At Star Platforms, we provide flexible cherry picker hire that’s built around your needs. Whether you’re looking for a small cherry picker or one with impressive working heights, our mobile boom lifts are an effective solution for accessing hard to reach spots. We also provide cherry picker sales and training to help you get the most out of your MEWP – just get in touch with any enquiries.
Why purchase or hire a cherry picker?
Working at height is one of the most dangerous jobs, with falls from height being one of the leading causes of death for workers in 2023/24. Workers safety should be the most important considerations before completing any job, therefore investing in a cherry picker can improve worker safety and efficiency – by providing a stable platform complete with safety features that reduce the risks of accidents.
Aside from safety, hiring a cherry picker can help speed up your project while helping you save money. Once delivered, cherry pickers require no set-up, meaning you can get started straight away. You can hire a cherry picker from Star Platforms for as long or as short as you need.
Even though it is not a legal requirement, we recommend providing all cherry picker operators with relevant training to ensure they are fully aware of how to safely operate the machinery and how to identify and mitigate risks. At Star Platform, we can provide IPAF training at one of our UK training centres, if you have any questions please get in touch, or book a course.
Looking to hire or buy a cherry picker?
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.
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- How to Choose the Right Scissor Lift for the Job - 19 September 2025
- Can Scissor Lifts Be Used Outside? - 19 September 2025
