Search for cherry picker hire and you'll find two different kinds of offer: self-drive and operated. They're not interchangeable, and picking the wrong one can cost you more than the hire itself.
What's the difference?
Self-drive hire
You collect or receive the machine, operate it yourself and return it. That usually means someone on your team needs IPAF certification (or has to get it quickly), needs to understand that particular model's controls, and needs to be confident working at height.
Operated hire
A trained, insured operator brings the machine to site, sets it up safely and runs it for the whole job. You or your tradesperson simply get on with the work.
Why we only offer operated hire
- No certification needed from you. Our operators are already IPAF-trained.
- Insurance is sorted. You're not personally exposed if something goes wrong on a machine you've never used before.
- Faster and safer. An experienced operator reads the site, the ground and the job far quicker than a first-time user.
- One point of accountability. Calls about the weather, access or an unsafe angle are made by a trained professional.
When self-drive looks tempting
On the headline price, self-drive can look cheaper, especially for a quick one-off job. But once you factor in certification if you don't already have it, the time spent learning an unfamiliar machine, and your insurance exposure, the saving is often much smaller than it first appears.
For anything involving real height, we don't think it's worth the risk. Across tree work, signage, roof access and maintenance, operated hire is usually the faster, safer and often more cost-effective choice.
Need a cherry picker?
Operated hire from £280, with an IPAF-trained operator and local travel included.
