How to Choose the Right MEWP: Smart Advice for Smarter Buys
When it comes to investing in a Mobile Elevated Work Platform (MEWP), it’s easy to get caught up in figures like maximum working height or horizontal outreach. But at CPL, we know that numbers on a spec sheet don’t always reflect real-life performance, or your actual on-site needs.
The following offers practical advice to help you choose a MEWP that works harder for your business, not just your budget.
Understand Real-World Outreach – Not Just Claims
A MEWP’s maximum outreach is often quoted under perfect load conditions, typically with no tools, a single lightweight operator, and little to no wind.
But if your teams are using heavy tools, PPE, or carrying out complex installations like telecoms, CCTV, or arborist work, the real outreach could drop significantly.
A model that claims to have a 7-meter outreach may only provide a 5.5-meter reach under typical operating loads. You will often encounter two figures indicating different outreach capabilities: one for maximum load and another for minimum load. The minimum load figure can be misleading, as it is sometimes presented as the maximum outreach. However, an outreach of 7 meters at a maximum load of 80 kg becomes impractical if your operator weighs an average of 85 kg (NHS, 2022), in addition to any equipment they might be using.
So before choosing a unit based on headline specs, ask:
How will operator weight and equipment impact outreach?
Does the platform need to reach over obstacles or just upward?
What’s the realistic reach at full working load?
Our team can help you decode the technical data to ensure your chosen MEWP matches what your work actually demands.
Don’t Overspend on Working Height You Won’t Use
It’s natural to want “the biggest and best,” but with MEWPs, bigger doesn’t always mean better, especially if your work doesn’t require full height.
Take telecoms as an example. The average pole in an urban or suburban area is between 9 to 10 metres tall.
“Most installs don’t need full reach, saving you weight, cost, and setup time.”
Why invest in a 14-16m platform if you’re only ever working at 9m-10m? That extra boom height adds weight, requires more space, and often a higher spend.
“Your chosen platform should match your actual jobs, not just look good on paper.”
Instead, match your MEWP to:
The average height of your day-to-day work
The environment (residential vs. rural vs. industrial)
Storage, deployment, and fuel efficiency priorities
We offer compact van mounts that are light, easy to store, and ready to go — without wasting space or budget. Check out the KL21B to see what we mean.
Choose Manufacturer-Approved Conversions
Buying a MEWP is only half the equation. How it’s built and whether it’s approved by the chassis manufacturer could make or break your insurance, warranty, or long-term costs.
Chassis manufacturers like Ford, Renault, Iveco, Isuzu and others have strict modification rules. If a conversion isn’t approved, you risk:
Voiding your base vehicle warranty
Insurance refusal or premium hikes
Compliance issues during audits or tenders
That’s why CPL is proud to be a Manufacturer-Approved converter for major OEMs. We follow their technical guidelines, ensuring:
Full OEM warranty retention
Safer, validated structural performance
No delays in registration or after-sales servicing
“Our approved builds allow you to add optional extras (like lockers or safety lighting) while keeping within OEM compliance. it’s a conversion you can trust.”
To learn more about why this matters and how we protect your warranty, visit our page on Manufacturer Approval Benefits.
Match the Machine to the Mission
Every CPL build is designed with safety, functionality, and compliance at the core, not just marketing figures.
Whether you’re an arborist, telco installer, street lighting contractor or local authority buyer, we’ll help you choose a platform that fits your actual workload and protects your long-term investment.
📞 Ready to talk through your options? Speak to our expert team today for real-world advice and approved build options that won’t let you down.
