Cherry Picker Hire for Church Window Painting in Edinburgh
Truck Mounted Cherry Picker for the window painting at Palmerston Church Edinburgh
Access Platform for Exterior Painting
Painting windows on a church building isn’t the same as painting the windows of an ordinary house. The height, shape and position of the building can make access difficult before the painting work has even begun.
That was the challenge at Palmerston Church in Edinburgh. The painters needed to reach elevated exterior windows properly, with enough room to work and move between different sections of the building.
In stepped 101 Height for Hire with their truck-mounted cherry picker to provide the temporary working platform needed to support the job.
Our vehicle mounted Cherry Picker Truck was a practical choice for the window painting job at Palmerston Church because it allowed the painters to work from a guarded platform positioned at the required height.
Unlike a ladder, the platform gave the painters a working area for carrying out detailed preparation and painting. Because the access platform was mounted on a road-going vehicle, it could be brought to the site, set up for the work and removed again when no longer required.
The suitability of any cherry picker still depends on the working height, sideways reach, ground conditions, available parking space and any obstacles surrounding the building.
The access challenge at Palmerston Church
Older church buildings often have windows positioned well above normal ladder height. Architectural features, changes in roof level and the distance between the vehicle and the work area can make access more complicated.
Window painting also involves more than applying a final coat of paint. Depending on the condition of the windows, the painter may need time to inspect the surfaces, remove loose material, prepare the frames and apply the required finish.
This means the access equipment has to do more than reach the general area. It must allow the platform to be positioned where the painter can work without repeatedly overreaching or climbing down to move access equipment by hand.
At Palmerston Church, a truck-mounted cherry picker offered a flexible way to approach these higher windows while supporting the painters carrying out the work.
Why a Truck-Mounted Cherry Picker Suited this Job?
The 101 Height for Hire truck-mounted platform is a Multitel MJ226. It has a stated platform height of up to 22.6 metres and outreach of up to 12 metres, although the usable height and outreach on an individual job depend on how the machine is set up and the weight carried in the platform.
Several characteristics made this type of access platform relevant to the church painting project.
The boom lift both height and sideways reach
The working point isn’t always directly above the parked vehicle. The boom can be positioned outwards as well as upwards, helping the platform approach windows that are set back from the closest suitable vehicle position.
This is particularly useful where steps, boundary features or parts of the building prevent the truck from parking immediately below a window.
The truck based platform could be repositioned during the work
A church elevation can contain windows at different heights and positions. Subject to safe setup and operating limits, the platform can be lowered and repositioned as the painters move from one section to another.
That made it a better match for a job involving several separate working areas rather than one fixed point.
The painters had a proper working safe platform at height
Painting and preparing window frames requires controlled movement. A guarded basket gives workers a defined platform from which to use suitable hand tools and materials within the platform’s permitted load.
It doesn’t turn the basket into a workshop, and everything carried must remain within the machine’s operating limits. However, it provides a more suitable working position than trying to complete detailed exterior painting from a ladder.
The machine arrived with an operator
101 Height for Hire supplies its truck-mounted cherry picker with an experienced, IPAF-trained operator. The operator is responsible for positioning and operating the platform in accordance with the machine’s limits and the conditions at the site.
This doesn’t replace the painter’s own responsibilities for the work being undertaken, but it means the access platform is controlled by someone trained to operate that type of equipment.
It was temporary access for a defined job
Permanent access wasn’t required. The purpose was to reach the church windows for the duration of the painting work.
A truck-mounted platform can suit this kind of project because it is brought to the location when needed and driven away after the hire period. Whether it is preferable to scaffolding depends on the length of the project, the number of elevations involved, site access and how frequently workers need to return to the same area.
What the cherry picker did and didn’t provide
It is important to be clear about the role of the equipment.
The cherry picker provided:
A mobile, elevated working platform
Access to high and set-back areas within its operating envelope
A trained operator for the access platform
Temporary access for the painters and permitted materials
The ability to reposition the basket between working areas
It did not provide:
The painting or window repair service itself
An automatic guarantee that every part of the building could be reached
Permission to obstruct roads, pavements or neighbouring property
Unlimited platform capacity or outreach
A replacement for site assessment, traffic management or other controls where required
A guarantee that work could continue in unsuitable weather
These points matter because the right machine can only be selected after the actual working conditions are understood.
What should be checked before hiring a cherry picker for painting?
Before booking powered access for exterior painting, it helps to provide:
The address of the property
Photographs showing the building and surrounding area
The approximate height of the highest work point
The position of the windows being painted
The distance between the likely parking position and the windows
Details of slopes, soft ground, steps or restricted access
The number of people who need to enter the platform
An estimate of tools and materials to be carried
Any nearby trees, overhead cables or street furniture
Information about parking or possible road and pavement restrictions
Images are particularly useful. A clear photograph taken from ground level can reveal obstacles that might otherwise only become apparent when the machine arrives.
Why this Edinburgh project is useful for other painters?
The Palmerston Church project shows how the access requirement should be considered as part of the painting job, not as an afterthought.
A painter may be capable of completing the preparation and finishing work, but the job can’t proceed efficiently if the windows can’t be reached from a suitable position. Choosing an access platform based only on height can also cause problems. Sideways reach, vehicle position and the space needed to deploy the machine are just as important.
For decorators, facilities managers, churches and property maintenance companies, an operated truck-mounted cherry picker can provide temporary access for high-level exterior painting without having to own or transport specialist powered access equipment.
Frequently asked questions
Can a cherry picker be used for painting church windows?
Yes, provided the platform can be positioned safely and the required windows fall within its working height and outreach. Ground conditions, obstacles, platform load and weather must also be considered.
Is a truck-mounted cherry picker always cheaper than scaffolding?
Not necessarily. A cherry picker can be well suited to short-duration or moving work, while scaffolding may be more appropriate when continuous access is required over several days or weeks. The better choice depends on the building and scope of work.
Does the hire include someone to operate the cherry picker?
101 Height for Hire supplies the Multitel MJ226 with an experienced, IPAF-trained operator. The painter or contractor remains responsible for the painting task and its associated working practices.
How high can the 101 Height for Hire platform reach?
The Multitel MJ226 has a stated platform height of up to 22.6 metres and outreach of up to 12 metres. These maximum figures aren’t available in every working position, so the individual job must be assessed.
Can the cherry picker carry paint and tools?
Suitable materials and hand tools can be carried as long as the total load, including everyone in the basket, remains within the platform’s permitted capacity. Loose items must also be managed appropriately.
Can the platform operate on a public road?
It may be possible, but parking controls, road occupation, pedestrian management or local authority requirements could apply. These should be identified before the hire date.
Need high-level access for an exterior painting project?
If you’re planning exterior painting, window maintenance or inspection work in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife or elsewhere in Central Scotland, speak to 101 Height for Hire about the access involved.
Send photographs of the property, the location of the work and an estimate of the required height. This will help determine whether the truck-mounted Multitel MJ226 is a suitable choice for your project.
Discuss Your Painting Access Requirements - Contact Us Today to discuss your project and discover how a truck-mounted cherry picker can save time, reduce costs and provide safe access for your next job.