What You Need to Know
Whether it's streetlights, bridge railings, or trees along sidewalks – many municipal tasks require access to heights. With the right aerial work platform, you can work more safely, quickly, and economically.
This article shows you which types of stages are suitable for municipal use , what you need to pay attention to when selecting and using them – and how you can confidently solve typical challenges on site.
Where municipal construction yards really need work platforms
Care and pruning of trees in the urban area
Whether it's crown maintenance, deadwood removal, or clearance clearance – aerial work platforms enable precise work without risk to personnel or traffic. Unlike climbing applications, you can approach, cut, and immediately pull away again – particularly efficient for serial work on roadsides, parks, or schoolyards.
Maintenance and repair of street lighting
Lamp heads, cable connections, and masts need to be checked and repaired regularly. Compact truck-mounted or trailer-mounted work platforms allow you to move quickly from location to location – without the need for external lifting equipment.
Maintenance of bridges , signs and traffic technology
Many traffic signs or control systems are mounted in locations that are difficult to access. Articulated telescopic platforms enable precise positioning, even over obstacles. For narrow access routes – such as under bridges – compact dimensions and flexible support are essential.
These work platforms are particularly well suited to municipal tasks
Truck-mounted work platforms – ideal for changing locations
With chassis weighing 3.5 or 7 tons, these platforms can be operated with a standard driver's license (Class B/BE). They offer working heights of up to approximately 64 meters and are particularly suitable for day or multi-day operations involving multiple stations.
Trailer platforms – light, flexible, efficient
Perfect for smaller jobs or urban use: easy to transport, quick to set up, and usually used with a diesel engine and/or 230 V power connection. Its low weight also makes it suitable for use on more sensitive surfaces (e.g., parks).
Articulated and crawler platforms for rough terrain
When work is required off-road – such as on forest trails, rainwater retention basins, or slopes – crawler platforms with long reach and low ground pressure are the first choice. They're also useful for cemeteries or parks where space is limited and the ground is sensitive.
In addition to articulated boom lifts , there are also scissor lifts with crawler tracks . These are ideal when you need high load capacity in tight spaces , but still need off-road capability . The crawler track system is particularly effective where tires would sink or floor plates aren't possible .
Rental period: daily price, weekly price, long-term rental
For many municipal applications, it is worthwhile to precisely coordinate the rental period:
For rental periods of one week or more, many providers offer significantly lower daily rates compared to daily rentals. Especially for planned maintenance or maintenance surges in spring and fall, weekly or long-term rentals offer significant cost savings – while maintaining the same level of flexibility.
Affordable access even in rural areas
Smaller municipalities also benefit from faster availability:
The SYSTEM LIFT partner network supplies virtually every location in Germany – often directly from the nearest location . This not only reduces delivery times but also ensures lower transport costs, especially for short rental periods or multiple locations.
Digital access control: exclusively at BIBERGER
A real plus for municipal applications: digital access control for BIBERGER rental equipment .
Instead of traditional key management, you use flexible access cards – ideal for teams with changing operators.
You determine who has access and when , see the current location via GPS and keep track of all machine movements – without manual handovers or risks from lost keys.
Safety, efficiency and responsibilities in the municipal environment
Who is allowed to operate work platforms?
Municipal staff also require theoretical and practical training in accordance with DGUV Rule 100-500 – including written authorization.
Landlords like BIBERGER also offer on-site training upon request – with instructions, operating instructions and everything else required by the DGUV.
Who is responsible for instruction and operation?
The same applies to municipal personnel: Aerial work platforms may only be operated by trained personnel with an operator's license. Many devices can be trained by the rental company directly upon delivery – including proof of operation.
What must be taken into account when operating in public traffic areas?
Safety barriers, signage, and, if necessary, permit requirements—especially for work on the roadside. System partners like BIBERGER also provide mobile barrier technology or traffic management advice if needed.
PPE: Personal protective equipment against falls from a height
Whenever work is carried out at greater heights – for example on bridges, over water or on steep slopes – PPE against falls is mandatory.
Belay points, equipment and training must be checked in advance.
Buying or renting – which is more profitable for construction yards?
Many cities and municipalities rent work platforms on a project-by-project basis – for example, for maintenance campaigns, tree inspections or maintenance waves in spring and autumn.
The advantage: low fixed costs, modern technology, flexible availability.
When is it worth buying your own stage?
If work is carried out regularly with a clearly defined purpose (e.g. tree teams or street lighting), a compact platform in-house can be economical - especially if staff are well utilized and deployment plans are clear.
How to find the right stage for your project
- Check the location and ground conditions: paved, unpaved, sensitive
- Clarify accessibility: entry height, passage width, swivel range?
- Calculate required working height and lateral reach
- Choose electric or diesel drive depending on the application environment
- Consider accessories: e.g. support plates, power in the basket, trailer for material
BIBERGER supports you with telephone advice, fast delivery and – if necessary – on-site inspection to recommend the right device.
Conclusion – Achieve more with the right platform
Whether it's a streetlight, a tree, or a bridge railing, municipal projects require flexibility, safety, and efficiency. Aerial work platforms offer exactly that – provided you choose the right model and have trained personnel. Rent or purchase only what your team really needs – and rely on a partner who understands your requirements.
Share:
Last-minute construction site call? Here's how we solve it.
Driving license for construction machinery: How to become an excavator or wheel loader driver
Our editorial quality standards
The subject content on biberger.de are editorially created, reviewed, and continuously updated. The basis is our daily work with aerial platforms, telehandlers, and industrial trucks – in rental, sales, operational planning, and technical support.
Each article draws on real-world experience and is editorially reviewed for clarity, accuracy, and practical relevance according to expert criteria. Technical statements are regularly compared against current industry standards and best practices.
The aim of our publications is to make reliable specialist knowledge accessible and to offer guidance to users, decision-makers and industry partners. BIBERGER sees itself as an independent information platform for safe, economical and modern height access technology – well-founded, comprehensible and free from advertising influence.