Choosing the Right Spider MEWP for the Job
A spider MEWP isn’t one machine, it’s a range, and the wrong one for the site costs you time before anyone’s even off the ground. We run a tracked spider fleet from roughly 15m to 33m working height, covering Hinowa, Lightlift, Dino, Platform Basket, Cela and Falcon, each built around a different combination of height, ground and access. Here’s how we match the machine to the site, worked through five scenarios we see regularly.
Narrow Doorways and Restricted Internal Access
Best fit: Hinowa Lightlift 17.75
Internal fit-out, refurbishment and any job where the machine has to come through a standard opening before it can start work. The Hinowa Lightlift 17.75 tracks through a standard double door, then folds out its outriggers once it’s inside, which is what lets it set up in a lobby, a warehouse aisle or a courtyard a wheeled machine could never reach in the first place.
Tight Courtyards and Compact Everyday Access
Not every job needs 30 metres of reach. For lower-rise work, general maintenance, signage, lighting or gutter access, where the site is compact rather than restricted, the Hinowa 15.70 is the smallest machine in our fleet and the most manoeuvrable, without paying for height you don’t need.
Uneven, Sloped or Soft Ground
Landscaped ground, building sites mid-groundworks, or anywhere a wheeled MEWP would struggle to get stable. The extended track chassis on the Dino XTC range is built for exactly this, spreading load further and holding a level platform on ground that would stop a standard wheeled machine from setting up safely at all.
Irregular or Restricted Footprints
Sites with an awkward layout, a footprint that isn’t square, obstructions close to where the platform needs to set up, benefit from a variable outrigger configuration rather than a fixed spread. The Falcon’s Vario chassis adjusts to fit the space available, rather than needing the space to fit the machine.
Maximum Reach for Multi-Storey Work
Best fit: Platform Basket, up to 33.15m
Full-elevation cladding, roof access on taller structures, or any job where height is the deciding factor. Our Platform Basket range tops out at 33.15m, the ceiling of our tracked spider fleet, for work that’s simply out of reach for a smaller machine regardless of how good the ground conditions are.
Still Not Sure Which Spider You Need?
These five cover the scenarios we see most, but real sites rarely match a scenario exactly. That’s why we survey before we quote: we’ll confirm ground conditions, access widths and outrigger point loads on site, then tell you which machine your job actually needs, not which one happens to be free that week.
View our full range of Tracked Access MEWPs here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a spider MEWP and a standard MEWP?
A spider MEWP runs on tracks rather than wheels, with foldable outriggers that let it stabilise on uneven ground or through restricted access. A standard wheeled MEWP is usually quicker to set up on a flat, load-bearing surface, but can’t get to sites a spider MEWP can.
How do I know which spider MEWP model I need?
It comes down to four things: working height, ground conditions, access width, and how much load the platform needs to carry. We check all four at survey rather than guessing from a description over the phone.
Can a spider MEWP be operated by my own team?
Yes, for self-drive hire you’ll need a current IPAF licence for the relevant category. If you don’t have a licensed operator available, we offer operated hire with one of our own trained operators instead.
Do you help decide which machine suits a job before quoting?
Yes, that’s what the survey’s for. We’d rather confirm the right machine on site than have the wrong one turn up and cost you a day.
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Ask for a survey and outline design. We’ll compare temporary, semi-permanent and fixed options, and recommend the most efficient route for your site. You get predictable costs, a shorter programme, and it’s right first time.