Available with tracked or wheeled chassis and capable of 360-degree rotation, spider lifts simplify tasks associated with everything from building maintenance around a manicured campus to construction in rugged locations. Guaranteeing stability on a wide variety of terrains, a spider lift has “legs” that lock into place, enabling them to be safely positioned on steps, multi-leveled platforms, and gradients from 25% to 45%.
Telescopic models are often used to clean windows and decorate at great heights within office complexes, cathedrals, and synagogues. They’re also frequently used by arborists to trim and maintain trees. The extended-reach boom and bucket provide reach capabilities from 18 to 160 feet.
Manufactured by leading industrial equipment companies like Niftylift, Genie, and JLG, spider lifts feature low ground bearing pressures that help protect fragile ecosystems, manicured grounds, and costly interior flooring. Within these interior spaces, their compact dimensions allow them to be rolled through most standard doorways and fit into narrow aisles and corridors while taking up minimal space in storage.
Often broken into three types based on their vertical reach, popular configurations and estimated costs for new and used spider lifts include:
[table]
Type, Vertical Reach, Outreach, Weight Capacity, Track / Wheels, JIB, Min. Setup Area, Transport Height, Estimated Cost
Low Height, 18’ - 75’, 16’ - 50’, 450 - 500 lbs., Tracks, Standard, 13’ x 11’, 6.3’, "$7,000 - $20,000"
Mid-Range, 90’ - 115’, 50’- 55’, 450 - 500 lbs., Both, Telescopic, 10.5’ x 16’, 6.4’, "$32,000 - $98,000"
Telescopic, 127’ - 160’, 52’ - 65’, 500 lbs., Both, Telescopic, 11’ x 15’, 6.5’, "$90,000 - $225,000"
[/table]
Design and maneuverability are important. But spider lifts also provide another key benefit: they eliminate the need for scaffolding. With a range of cost-saving features, a spider lift enables a single operator to easily complete an endless range of jobs in about the same amount of time it would take a number of people just to construct the scaffolding.
Factoring in a host of popular features and upgrades, these multi-use machines service a variety of height access challenges. Popular features include:
- Drive systems mounted on tracks or wheels for safe, reliable movement on any terrain
- Diesel, battery, electric, and dual power for use indoors or out – and the most cost-effective fuel consumption
- Self-leveling platforms for safe positioning on a variety of terrain
- Telescopic jib with extended vertical and horizontal reach capabilities
- Interactive display for fine-tuning the machine’s performance
- Gradeability up to 25% with wheels and 45% with tracks for safe setup in sloped work areas
- Non-marking tracks or tires for indoor operation on granite, tile, wood and other costly flooring
