Spider MEWP Hire: A Guide to Tracked Access Platforms

A spider MEWP, also called a tracked MEWP or spider lift, is a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) built on tracks instead of wheels, with foldable outriggers that let it stabilise on uneven or sloped ground. It’s the machine site teams reach for when a standard scissor lift or wheeled boom can’t get to the work, whether that’s through a doorway, across soft ground, or up a slope a wheeled machine simply can’t hold on.

We run a tracked spider fleet from 15m to 33m working height, so this guide covers what the machines actually do, where they earn their keep, and how to work out whether one is right for your site.

How a Tracked Spider Lift Works

Every spider MEWP folds down to a narrow track base for transport and access, then extends four outriggers to spread its load and level itself before the platform goes up. That’s what lets a machine with a working height of 17m or more track through a standard door opening and set up inside a building, a car park, or a courtyard that a van-mounted boom could never reach.

The Hinowa Lightlift 17.75, for example, tracks through a standard double door. We confirm ground conditions and outrigger point loads at survey, so the machine that arrives on site is the one that actually works once it’s there.

Working Heights and Safe Working Loads

Our spider MEWP fleet covers working heights from roughly 15m to 33m, with safe working loads typically between 200kg and 300kg depending on the model. The range includes:

• Hinowa 15.70, Lightlift 17.75, Lightlift 20.10 and Lightlift 26.14
• Dino 185XTCII and 220XTCII
• Platform Basket range, 15.75m to 33.15m
• Cela DT25
• Falcon FS330Z Vario

Each model has a different footprint, reach and outrigger spread, which is why we survey before we quote rather than sending out whatever’s next off the yard.

Spider MEWP, Scissor Lift or Boom Lift?

A spider MEWP isn’t always the right call. If you’re working on a flat, load-bearing floor with clear access, a scissor lift or a wheeled boom will usually be quicker to set up and more cost-effective. Spider MEWPs earn their place when the site has restricted access, uneven or sloped ground, or a floor that can’t take the point loading of a heavier wheeled machine. We’ve covered the full comparison, including load ratings and typical use cases, in our guide to choosing the right MEWP.

Key benefits of a tracked spider lift

• Compact size, big reach: a narrow chassis passes through standard doorways and gates, and auto-levelling outriggers give a stable base on uneven ground, so crews set up quickly.
• Precise positioning: proportional controls and basket rotation make it easier to work around parapets, signage and glazing with fewer resets.
• Indoors and out: electric or lithium power keeps indoor work clean and quiet, while diesel suits longer outdoor shifts. Protective pads under the outriggers help protect delicate floors.
• Safety built in: anchor points, anti-entrapment features and emergency descent systems, backed by inspection records and RAMS.
• Lower overall cost: for short or one-off tasks at height, a spider lift is often quicker and cheaper than putting up a full scaffold.

Where Spider MEWPs Are Used

We supply tracked access across construction and fit-out, industrial and manufacturing sites, aviation and helicopter MRO, rail, distribution, and facilities and property maintenance. On site, that typically means:

• Internal fit-out and refurbishment where a machine has to come through a standard doorway
• Roof, gutter and cladding work on uneven or landscaped ground
• Indoor access in shopping centres, warehouses and industrial units, where non-marking tracks and low ground pressure protect the floor
• Sites with soft ground, slopes, or limited access where a wheeled MEWP can’t get set up safely

Self-Drive or Operated Hire

We’re an IPAF Rental+ member, and we offer both self-drive hire for teams with a current IPAF licence for the category, and operated hire where we provide a trained, competent operator alongside the machine. Every hire lands with current inspection records and a documented handover, so your site file can stand an audit on it.

Getting the Right Machine for Your Site

The right spider MEWP for your job depends on working height, load, ground conditions and access, not just what’s available that week. We survey every site before we quote, so the machine we send is specified around your job, not the other way round. If you’re planning a job that needs tracked access, get in touch and we’ll talk through what you actually need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the working height of a spider MEWP?

Our tracked spider fleet covers roughly 15m to 33m working height, depending on the model. We’ll confirm the right one for your job at survey.

Can a spider lift go through a standard doorway?

Many can. Models like the Hinowa Lightlift 17.75 are built to track through a standard double door, which is one of the main reasons sites choose a spider MEWP over a wheeled alternative.

Do I need an IPAF licence to operate a spider MEWP?

For self-drive hire, yes, 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.

Is a spider MEWP better than a scissor lift?

Not always. Scissor lifts are usually quicker and cheaper on flat, load-bearing floors with clear access. Spider MEWPs come into their own on uneven ground, restricted access, or floors that can’t take a heavier wheeled machine’s point loading.