Have you ever wondered why the term "cherry picker" is used to describe a piece of heavy machinery used in various industries? How it has come to be associated with the versatile machines, so let's explore the origins of this name we use today.
The term "cherry picker" dates back to the early 20th century, where it was originally used in orchards for picking cherries. These early cherry pickers were essentially mobile platforms that allowed workers to reach the tops of cherry trees safely and efficiently. Cherry trees can grow quite tall, making it difficult to harvest the fruit without some form of elevation. The cherry picker, with its extendable boom and basket, was the perfect solution for safe and efficient picking.
From Orchards to Industry. As time went on, the design of the cherry picker evolved. The basic concept of a hydraulic lift with a platform or bucket at the end was adapted for a variety of uses beyond agriculture. Today, cherry pickers are used in construction, maintenance, film production, and many other fields.
Modern cherry pickers come in several types, from small to large, including:
- Articulating Boom Lifts: These have multiple sections that can bend and fold, allowing for greater flexibility in reaching difficult areas.
- Telescopic Boom Lifts These extend straight out and are ideal for reaching high, straight-up positions.
- Towable Boom Lifts: These can be attached to vehicles and transported to different locations easily.
- Mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs): A moving machine, consisting of a work platform and chassis that elevates upwards.
The name "cherry picker" has stuck because it's easy to remember and descriptive of the machine's original purpose. Even though the modern uses of cherry pickers have expanded far beyond orchards, the name continues to evoke the image of reaching up high to pick fruit, a task that is now metaphorically applied to many different fields
Today, cherry pickers are invaluable in many industries as they provide a safe and efficient way to work at height, under a trainer operator with a licence. Whether it's painting buildings, filming high-angle shots in movies or fixing power lines, their versatility and reliability make them essential tools for tasks that involve reaching elevated positions. Cherry pickers have an historical origin in agricultural practice, but have evolved to be useful in many industries.
For more information on cherry pickers and to explore hiring one, visit our website. Whether you're in construction, maintenance, or any industry that requires working at height, we have the perfect cherry picker for your needs.
