If you’re hiring a cherry picker for the first time, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is: how high can a cherry picker actually go?
Well, the answer depends entirely on the type of machine you’re using. Cherry pickers are available in a wide range of sizes, from compact vehicle-mounted platforms designed for everyday maintenance work to large operated machines capable of reaching some of the tallest structures in the UK.
At Smart Platforms, our fleet ranges from 11m self-drive cherry pickers through to 56m operated truck-mounted platforms, allowing us to support everything from street lighting maintenance to major commercial and infrastructure projects.
In this guide, we’ll explain how cherry picker height is measured, the difference between working height and outreach, as well as how to choose the right machine for your project.
What Is the Maximum Cherry Picker Height?
The maximum height a cherry picker can reach depends on the type of machine. Standard articulating and telescopic boom lifts typically offer working heights between 10m and 58.5m, while the largest truck-mounted cherry pickers can reach working heights of up to 75m for specialist infrastructure and commercial projects.
At Smart Platforms, our fleet ranges from 11m self-drive cherry pickers through to 56m operated truck-mounted platforms, enabling us to support everything from street lighting and property maintenance to large commercial developments and high-level infrastructure work.
Our fleet includes:
- 11m to 27m self-drive cherry pickers, which can be driven on a standard UK licence and are ideal for contractors working across multiple sites.
- 33m to 56m operated truck-mounted cherry pickers, supplied with an experienced operator for larger or more complex projects.
One of our key advantages is our larger self-drive range. While many providers offer self-drive machines up to around 20m, we also supply 21m, 23m and 27m self-drive cherry pickers, giving customers greater flexibility without needing to move to an operated hire solution.
Before choosing a machine, it’s also worth understanding the difference between working height and platform height, as this can affect which cherry picker is most suitable for your project.
Understanding Working Height vs Platform Height
One of the biggest misconceptions when hiring a cherry picker is the difference between working height and platform height.
Working height refers to the maximum height an operator can safely work at while standing inside the basket.
Platform height is simply the height of the basket itself.
As a rule, working height is typically calculated by adding approximately 2 metres to the platform height, representing the average reach of a person working from the platform.
For example:
- An 11m working height machine has a platform height of approximately 9m.
- A 27m working height machine has a platform height of approximately 25m.
Understanding this distinction helps ensure you hire a machine that will comfortably reach the area you need to work on.
Cherry Picker Reach Is Just as Important as Height
While many people focus purely on cherry picker height, cherry picker reach can be equally important.
Reach refers to how far the boom can extend horizontally away from the vehicle.
This becomes particularly important when working around:
- Roofs
- Conservatories
- Trees
- Industrial equipment
- Signage
- Overhead obstacles
Sometimes a machine with slightly less working height but greater outreach is actually the better option.
At Smart Platforms, our team regularly helps customers choose equipment based on both height and outreach to ensure the machine can safely reach the work area without unnecessary repositioning.
Which Cherry Picker Height Do You Need?
The right machine depends entirely on the work you’re carrying out.
Around 11m
Our 11m self-drive cherry picker is ideal for:
- Street lighting maintenance
- CCTV installation
- Signage
- Low-level building maintenance
- Domestic property work
Its compact size makes it particularly well suited to urban environments and jobs where access is limited.
21m and 23m
For many commercial contractors, our 21m and 23m self-drive cherry pickers offer an excellent balance of height and flexibility.
Unlike many providers, Smart Platforms offers these larger self-drive machines, giving customers access to additional working height without requiring an operator.
Both machines also feature a fly-jib, making them particularly effective for roof work, gutter maintenance, working over obstacles and accessing awkward areas.
The fly-jib provides greater manoeuvrability within confined spaces and allows operators to position the basket more precisely.
27m
For projects requiring even greater reach, our 27m self-drive cherry picker offers one of the tallest self-drive options available.
This makes it suitable for:
- Commercial building maintenance
- Telecoms work
- Tree management
- Industrial inspections
- Large-scale property maintenance
While many providers’ self-drive ranges stop at around 20m, Smart Platforms offers self-drive machines up to 27m. This gives customers greater height and flexibility without automatically needing to move to an operated hire service.
33m to 56m
For the largest projects, Smart Platforms supplies operated truck-mounted cherry pickers with working heights from 33m to 56m.
These machines are ideal for:
- Stadium maintenance
- High-rise buildings
- Infrastructure projects
- Bridge inspections
- Large commercial developments
Each machine is supplied with a trained operator, ensuring safe and efficient access at significant heights.
Is the Biggest Cherry Picker Always the Best Choice?
No, not necessarily.
Many people assume hiring the biggest cherry picker will give them the greatest flexibility.
However, larger machines also require more space to set up, greater ground stability, increased access for the vehicle, and higher operating costs.
In many cases, a smaller machine provides a more efficient and cost-effective solution.
Our experienced team will always recommend the smallest machine capable of safely completing the work, helping you reduce costs while maintaining productivity.
How Do We Help You Choose the Right Height?
If you’re unsure what height you need, don’t worry.
Rather than relying on guesswork, our team can advise using just a few simple bits of information including:
- Site photographs
- Measurements
- Google Street View
- Google Earth
- Site surveys where required
Choosing the right cherry picker isn’t just about height. We’ll also consider your required outreach, site access, ground conditions, nearby obstructions and where the vehicle can be safely positioned before recommending the most suitable machine.
This ensures you receive equipment that’s suitable for the job first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high can a cherry picker go?
At Smart Platforms, our cherry pickers range from 11m self-drive machines through to 56m operated truck-mounted platforms, suitable for everything from street lighting maintenance to large commercial projects.
What is the tallest cherry picker available?
Our tallest machine reaches a 56m working height and is supplied with a trained operator for large-scale commercial and infrastructure work.
What does cherry picker reach mean?
Reach refers to how far the boom can extend horizontally away from the vehicle. Depending on your project, outreach can be just as important as working height.
Do I need the highest machine available?
Not always. Choosing the correct working height, outreach and machine type is usually more important than simply hiring the tallest platform available.
Choose the Right Cherry Picker for Your Project
Whether you need an 11m self-drive cherry picker for routine maintenance or a 56m operated platform for a complex commercial project, choosing the right equipment can save time, reduce costs and improve safety.
If you’re unsure which machine is best for your project, the team at Smart Platforms can help. We’ll recommend the most suitable cherry picker based on your required working height, outreach and site conditions, ensuring you have the right equipment to complete the job safely and efficiently. Contact us today.
