Cherry Picker Hire vs. Purchase: Which is the Smarter Long-Term Investment?
You have just started a new project or launched a new business that requires a cherry picker (MEWP). After thoroughly researching, you’ve decided on a tracked model due to the uneven surfaces or a van-mounted option for the added storage space and workshop. However, now that you’ve made those decisions, the focus shifts back to finances: should you buy or hire the equipment?
The Big Decision – Hire or Buy?
Deciding between buying and hiring a cherry picker can be challenging for businesses of all sizes. It’s important to understand how each option will affect your operations in both the short and long term. Consider how flexible each choice will be for your needs. Will you have control over the machine and its location? It’s essential to choose an option that is cost-effective, compliant, and productive for your requirements.
The Case for Cherry Picker Hire
The first benefit of hiring a cherry picker is quite straightforward: you don’t have to worry about service and repairs. For many businesses, managing maintenance can be the most time-consuming and stressful part of the process. As long as you follow the rules and regulations set by the rental company, if the machine breaks down, they can usually provide you with a replacement at no extra cost.
Additionally, even though the units are often used, you can be confident that they have been well-maintained. They should be serviced, inspected under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), and have undergone full quality checks. This ensures that your team is using a reliable machine.
It’s also important to consider the potential costs associated with downtime. Hiring a cherry picker is a simple and efficient way to get the job done, especially for short-term projects. If you want access to the latest and greatest machines without long-term commitment, renting may be the best option for you.
Advice from CPL Sector specialists: “We generally recommend that if you hire equipment more than twice a week, you should consider purchasing it. Calculate the weekly hire costs and compare them to the cost of financing a purchase. If financing is less expensive than hiring, purchasing might be the better option. However, if your jobs frequently change and require different heights and sizes of MEWPs, and you don’t have the budget for a fleet, then hiring may be the best choice.”
CPL offers a diverse range of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) for rental and hire companies, providing options for both short-term and long-term rentals. Our fleet includes van-mounted and 4×4 access platforms, as well as arborist trucks. If you’re interested in experiencing the quality of CPL’s equipment without making a long-term commitment, please reach out to our team. We are here to assist you and guide you in the right direction.
In Review:
Benefits of cherry picker hire:
- Lower upfront costs
- Flexibility for short-term projects
- Access to modern equipment without a long-term commitment
Considerations:
When you hire equipment, you depend on someone else’s schedule for delivery, maintenance, and replacement.
Ideal For:
- Small contractors
- Event work
- Seasonal demand
- Testing a model before making a purchase
The Benefits of Owning a Cherry Picker
Purchasing a cherry picker is a significant commitment, particularly for solo traders and smaller organisations. However, there are options available to make this process feel less overwhelming. Spending $60,000 to $70,000 plus on a brand-new cherry picker may not be the best choice, especially if you are new to owning and maintaining one. The used market is a great place to start your search, as you can find heavily discounted units. However, it’s essential to proceed with caution.
Before purchasing a used vehicle, make sure to check the following:
- Ensure that the Access platform has all its necessary certificates.
- Confirm when it was last LOLER inspected. Inspection should be conducted every six months.
- Inquire about the boom hours recorded on the machine, as this will indicate its usage and potential wear and tear.
These factors are good indicators to help you determine if you’re getting a fair deal. Be sure to research the market and compare prices.
When it comes to vehicle-mounted platforms, you need to check:
- Is it type-approved? If not, this could result in higher insurance premiums.
- Is there still an OEM manufacturer warranty and approval? This will be crucial when registering the vehicle or if your base vehicle breaks down. Can you get it fixed?
The main downside of purchasing used is that it likely won’t have a warranty on both the Boom and the base vehicle, so ensuring it is safe and is looked after is critical to success. Service contracts are available, but depending on the condition, this could cost you more in the long run.
Brand new cherry pickers for sale
If the first two options aren’t the one for you, because either you use the equipment too often for hire prices to make sense, or buying used just sounds too risky, then let’s look at the option of purchasing.
The biggest benefit to this is full ownership vs Cherry picker hire; you are in control. You can deploy the unit for any job, at any time, without relying on middlemen and hiring companies. It’s an asset; if looked after, it can retain some of its value for the used market, and can be moved on when you are ready to upgrade.
Sounds good? But there are downsides. You will have to ensure this piece of equipment is looked after. Your team will have to be trained, and if financing or even buying outright, you will need a big down payment to secure your unit. But the long-term costs if the cherry picker is used frequently are a lot less than hiring.
With the benefits of service contractors like CPL CARE, where we will organise planned service and LOLER tests ahead of time so you don’t have to, a lot of the maintenance stress is taken away, and because the Boom and base vehicle are under OEM warranty, a lot of the scares of owning used are eliminated, with the added benifit of knowing that downtime is greatly reduced.
Now there are other benefits, especially when you have a full fleet. If all your vehicles come from the same supplier and look the same, this not only gives brand consistency when out on a job, but you always know where to go for spare parts and any queries about the product.
In review, buying a new cherry picker means:
- Full control over scheduling and operator training.
- Easier brand consistency and asset management for fleets.
- Ownership gives full control and visibility, and with CPL’s manufacturer-approved conversions, warranty, and servicing, compliance is simple.
- Owning a CPL platform means direct access to service, spare parts, and nationwide support, reducing downtime risk.
How CPL Makes Ownership Easier
CPL specialises in providing high-quality, UK-built cherry pickers that are manufacturer-approved, ensuring reliability and performance on the job. Each unit comes with an optional comprehensive service package, generous warranty options, and specialised training to empower operators in the field. Our cherry pickers are co-created with input from industry professionals to prioritise safety and efficiency, allowing for smooth operations in various working environments.
To facilitate ownership, we offer a range of flexible bundle options that include accessories and add-ons tailored to your specific needs. Additionally, our financing solutions are designed to make owning a cherry picker more accessible, regardless of the size of your business. All our units are manufactured in the UK, allowing us to provide competitive dealer terms for base vehicles. This combination of quality, support, and convenience positions CPL as a leader in making cherry picker ownership easier for businesses of all sizes.
Explore our full product range | Check out the Configurator | Contact our team for assistance selecting your next MEWP or advise on cherry picker hire.
