5 Things To Expect During A Rail Boom Lift Demonstration
Nothing is as effective as a hands-on demonstration to know whether the rail boom lift you’re eying is worth adding to your fleet. A crucial machine for all kinds of railway maintenance activities, these mobile platforms can speed up routine tasks. Only if you get the right kind.
Whether you’re a contractor or a transit authority professional planning a fleet upgrade, you must test-drive your shortlisted rail boom lift to know if its real-world performance is as good as its spec sheet.
Here’s what you can expect during a typical rail boom lift demo so you can effectively gauge its performance and make a wise choice.
1. Pre-demo briefing: equipment lowdown
Don’t expect the machine to spring into action right away. Before the demo begins, either the manufacturer of the lift or the dealer will walk you through its major features, including its built-in safety attributes. Expect a broad overview of the following:
- The lift’s height, reach and ability to transition from road to rail
- Its entire control system - basket and ground
- Critical emergency protocols
- Certifications received and compliance standards
Once they’re done, you can use this time to ask about specific features that might be more relevant to your line of work. Examples include outrigger deployment, envelope dimensions and battery run-time in case the model is hybrid or electric.
2. Rail-to-road flexibility
A good rail boom lift (especially the kind worth buying) offers dual-mode operational capabilities. That means they are capable of effortlessly switching from rail to road, thus boosting worksite versatility. Expect to see this unique capability in action, watching the machine swap out its steel rail wheels with rubber tires.
Fast and convenient, this feature can be particularly useful to have around for time-sensitive rail maintenance tasks. That said, field crews should assess how quickly the unit can be deployed on-site to maintain efficiency.
3. Live operation trials
During this session of the entire demo, you’ll get a good grasp of how easy the aerial boom lift is to maneuver. Manufacturers or dealers will showcase the machine’s reach and responsiveness as well. This test will involve:
- The lift’s performance on rails, roads or other paved surfaces
- Basic basket controls, including elevation and rotation
- Simulation of catenary work and overhead inspections
At this stage, you should take note of the lift’s stability and ease of operation. Do the controls seem intuitive? Is the lift easy to operate? Answering these questions will help you ensure operator safety on-site.
4. Detailed Q&A discussion
Once the hands-on session is wrapped up, a portion of time is set aside for a thorough discussion regarding your requirements - especially in terms of customization options. You can consider talking about -
- Available add-ons such as tool trays, insulated baskets etc.
- Training support and fleet integration
- Service plans and mandatory maintenance schedules
- Delivery timelines and shipping details
Additional discussion topics may include the machine’s certifications, rail authority compatibility, and technician support.
5. Post-demo evaluation
This stage is the conclusion to the entire rail boom lift demonstration, and it involves team feedback. As a buyer or renter, you may be asked to answer the following questions:
- Was it easy to operate the boom lift?
- Did it satisfy the safety and operational criteria you had in mind?
- Do you have any custom requirements?
Your insights will not only help the dealer but will also guide the entire purchasing process so you end up with a lift that fits your unique application requirements, such as overhead line repair, tunnel work, or electrified transit lines.
Conclusion
Experience is key - it’s the only way to know if the rail boom lift you’re looking at delivers the kind of performance you need. Witnessing it in action will offer you valuable operational insights so you can clearly evaluate the machine’s capabilities against your requirements.
If you’re looking for flexible, customizable and high-performing rail boom lifts, though, look no further than Platform Basket Canada. Our Italian-engineered lifts are a class apart. Contact us to schedule a test-drive and get expert guidance with top-tier support.
