What is a Van Mounted Cherry Picker?
Every day, thousands of professionals in the UK face the challenge of safely working at heights. Reliable elevated access is essential for tasks such as maintaining telecommunications equipment, repairing streetlights, and cleaning windows in urban areas. One of the solutions we offer at CPL to solve these challenges has been the introduction of our van-mounted cherry pickers, which have transformed the approach to working at height.
In essence, a van mounted cherry picker is a commercial van equipped with a hydraulic lifting platform. With this combination, a mobile, self-contained unit is produced that can drive straight to any job site and offer secure access to raised work areas right away. Since 2011, we at CPL, the top access platform manufacturer in the UK, have been designing these multipurpose devices to help companies in a variety of sectors operate at heights more safely and effectively.
A Van Mounted Cherry Picker: What is it?
A commercial van chassis, an articulated boom arm, and a work platform or basket are the three primary parts of a van-mounted cherry picker (MEWP Classification: 1B, IPAF). Because of the hydraulic boom’s ability to extend both vertically and horizontally, operators can reach precise working positions at heights of over 10 meters.
There are some big differences between van-mounted cherry pickers and other types of aerial platforms. Truck-mounted units (usually over 3.5t) have more height and capacity, but they need bigger trucks and commercial driving licenses, which require even more resources & training. Specialised tools like the tracked platforms from Palazzani can be more expensive and will need trailers for transport. Furthermore, they don’t have the workshop option available on the van-mounted options, meaning longer set-up time and higher working costs.
Van-mounted platforms are typically the wise option in the UK. Since many weigh less than 3.5 tonnes (Like our Kl36 & Kl26 Cutaway options), you can drive them with a regular licence without the need for additional tickets or training.
Even with cars on both sides of the narrow terraced street, a small van platform can manoeuvre through, set up, and complete the task, like our KL21B with no outriggers. For daily tasks, there is sufficient reach despite the smaller footprint. Crews use them in city centres, suburban estates, and out on country roads, wherever the work happens, because they are easy to move and live with.
Why Choose a Van-Mounted Cherry Picker?
🚐 Mobility is the key advantage. Drive directly to any job site at normal speeds without needing separate transport or trailers. Perfect for emergency calls or multiple locations in one day.
⚡ Easy setup, takes minutes, not hours like scaffolding. Deploy stabilisers, raise the platform, work, and pack down quickly to move on.
🦺 Greater safety compared to ladders or scaffolding. Stable platform with guardrails and safety systems. Controlled hydraulic movement reduces positioning risks.
🔧 Versatility across industries. Install telecoms in the morning, tree surgery in the afternoon, and building maintenance the next day. Maximises equipment use and investment returns.
💷 Cost-effective operation from multiple benefits. The van carries tools and provides access. Better fuel efficiency than larger alternatives, plus faster job completion, reduces costs.
The Right CPL Cherry Picker for Every Job
CPL offers one of the most diverse line-ups of cherry pickers in the UK, with models designed to suit every type of job. Our smaller, lightweight vans are quick to deploy and ideal for urban sites or fast call-outs where mobility is essential. At the other end of the scale, our larger van mounted platforms deliver greater reach, higher payloads, and the stability needed for demanding projects in utilities and construction.
We also manufacture 4×4 pickup mounted platforms and Tippers, providing reliable access at height in rural or off-road locations where standard vans can’t operate. These all-terrain solutions are perfect for forestry, agriculture, and powerline maintenance, combining rugged performance with aerial capability.
Why Choose CPL: Accreditations and Expertise You Can Trust
At CPL, our focus goes well beyond building machines. What we really offer is confidence that the equipment you are using has been designed, tested, and approved to the very highest standards. Every van-mounted cherry picker and aerial access solution in our range complies fully with UK requirements, including LOLER and CE/UKCA. On top of this, we hold ISO certifications that show our ongoing commitment to quality, safety, and the environment. These aren’t just badges on paper – they are proof that each CPL platform has been engineered to perform safely and reliably in real working conditions.
However, being correctly accredited is just one aspect of this scenario. It’s equally crucial to pick a platform that fits your workflow. While some clients require a five-ton machine with additional reach or even a specialised off-road unit, others require a smaller van for urgent city jobs. After taking the time to learn about your goals, our staff assists you in selecting the best course of action. The objective is straightforward: to make the decision-making process understandable and useful so that you can focus on the actual work.
