Mobile elevating work platforms contain several components that can be affected by cold weather. That is why it’s crucial to take extra care of the machine during the winter months. The operator should pay particular attention to some parts during the pre-use inspection, such as seals and gaskets.
Equally important in winter is using the right fluids. This means adding engine antifreeze and choosing oils, coolants and fuels appropriate to the specific conditions. You should always refer to the machine manual for all information on the types of fluids required for the temperature range in which the MEWP will be used. The manual will normally also give guidance on how to operate the machine in these conditions.
Another measure against the cold is to cover the control systems (control boxes, switches, joysticks, etc.) as much as possible to prevent ice build-up. When the temperature rises and the ice melts, water can get into the electrical components and wreak havoc. That is also why it’s best to store the MEWP in a temperature-controlled area when not in use.
What about battery-powered MEWPs?
As cold weather can severely affect battery performance and charge, additional measures are required for battery-powered mobile elevating work platforms:
- Charge the batteries whenever possible. When their batteries are low, MEWPs are designed to limit performance to still provide basic machine functionality. However, the cold can cause large voltage drops in lead-acid batteries, causing the machine’s control system to think the batteries are almost flat. Charging the batteries whenever possible ensures that they are always as highly charged as possible, keeping their voltage in the optimum operating range for continued machine use.
- Plug in the batteries overnight. Ideally, MEWP batteries should be charged for at least four hours (eight to ten hours is ideal) between shifts. This is necessary for three reasons. Firstly, charging warms up the batteries, ensuring they are ready to go when the machine is switched on at the start of the working day. Secondly, starting the day with fully charged batteries minimises the risk of large voltage drops. Finally, fully charged batteries are less likely to become deeply discharged. In extreme cold, this can cause the battery to freeze and the MEWP won’t function. Warning: never attempt to charge a frozen battery, because this could cause it to explode!
- Keep the batteries warm. The batteries of mobile elevating work platforms can be charged in the cold, but this will always be at a lower rate. Therefore, it’s better to charge the machine indoors (preferably at room temperature).
In addition to the above measures, the operator should also pay extra attention to the batteries during the pre-use walkaround inspection (see paragraph ‘What about battery maintenance?’ above).