Cherry Pickers & EWP Trucks
A cherry picker is any truck-mounted or vehicle-mounted EWP (elevated work platform) where a hydraulic boom arm is fitted to a truck or van chassis to deploy the operator platform at height. Also called an EWP truck, bucket truck, bucket lift truck, boom truck or aerial platform truck, the cherry picker is the workhorse of the Australian powerline, telecommunications, arboriculture and traffic management sectors.
Unlike self-propelled boom lifts, a cherry picker drives to site under its own power and deploys without a separate support vehicle. EWP Australia inspects, certifies and sells truck-mounted EWPs across every application — from insulated powerline EWPs for electrical utilities to NBN EWP trucks for telecommunications contractors, arborist EWPs for tree management and underbridge inspection units for infrastructure teams.
Other Names for This Equipment
All of the above terms refer to equipment within this category. Different industries, regions and manufacturers may use different names — EWP Australia services all of them.
Equipment Variants
Powerline & Insulated EWP Truck
An insulated EWP truck — also called an insulated cherry picker, insulated bucket truck or powerline EWP — carries an insulated fibreglass or composite boom rated to LV or HV live-line work. Essential for electrical utilities, Level 2 ASPs and powerline contractors working on energised infrastructure.
Telecommunications & NBN EWP Truck
A telecoms EWP truck or NBN EWP truck is a lighter-duty cherry picker optimised for line installation, pit-and-pipe work and aerial cable placement. Usually based on a medium-duty cab chassis with a compact boom rated for single-operator work at 12–18 m.
Arborist & Forestry EWP
An arborist EWP, also called a tree-lopping cherry picker or forestry EWP, mounts a boom on an all-wheel-drive or rough-terrain chassis. Side-reach and 360° slew allow operators to position the bucket beside large canopies without ground disturbance.
Traffic Management Cherry Picker
Traffic management and civil departments use street-light EWPs and signage EWPs — compact truck-mounted platforms purpose-built for working above live traffic lanes on Australian roads.
Rail & Underbridge EWP
Rail EWPs and underbridge EWPs are engineered for track access and structure inspection. Certified to rail network standards, they allow engineers to inspect bridge soffit, abutments and deck structures safely.
How to Choose
Working Height & Reach
Truck-mounted EWPs range from 12 m compact units to 55 m+ heavy aerial devices. Horizontal outreach is critical for powerline and arborist work — measure both dimensions before specifying a machine.
Insulation Rating
For work near live electrical conductors, confirm the EWP carries a current insulation test certificate and the correct LV or HV rating for your work. Never use a non-insulated machine near energised lines.
Truck Chassis
Isuzu, Hino, Mercedes-Benz and Ford Transit are common base vehicles. GVM, tare weight and towing rating determine what roads and bridges the machine can access.
EWP Brand
Nifty Lift, Altec, Elliott, Terex Utilities, Versalift and Klubb are common Australian market brands. EWP Australia is an independent inspector — not tied to any brand — so advice is unbiased.
Who Uses This Equipment
- Electrical utilities and powerlines
- Level 2 ASPs and electricians
- Telecommunications and NBN
- Arboriculture and tree management
- Traffic management and signage
- Rail and infrastructure inspection
- Councils and local government
- Forestry and vegetation management
Australian Standards & Inspection
Truck-mounted EWPs are classed as plant under the Work Health and Safety Regulations and must be inspected to AS/NZS 2550.10. Insulated EWPs additionally require periodic insulation testing to AS/NZS 4024 and the relevant network operator standard. EWP Australia performs annual inspections, 10-year major inspections, insulation testing and certification for all truck-mounted EWP categories.
Common Questions
EWP truck vs boom lift — which one do I need?
A truck-mounted EWP (cherry picker or bucket truck) is permanently installed on a truck chassis, drives to site under its own power and deploys in minutes without additional support vehicles. A self-propelled boom lift is a stand-alone machine that must be transported by a low-loader. Choose a cherry picker truck for road mobility and fast daily deployment; choose a self-propelled boom lift when the machine will stay on one site for an extended period or needs to move between areas on site.
How often does a truck-mounted EWP need to be certified?
Annual inspection under AS/NZS 2550.10 is the baseline requirement. Insulated EWPs need insulation testing at the interval specified by the network operator — typically every 12 months. The 10-year major inspection applies at the machine's decade mark.
What does insulated EWP certification cover?
Insulation certification verifies the integrity of the fibreglass or composite boom sections and liner to the rated voltage (LV or HV). The test checks dielectric strength under controlled conditions. A valid insulation certificate is required before any live-line work commences.
Can EWP Australia inspect any brand of cherry picker?
Yes. EWP Australia is an independent inspection and certification business, not a dealer or brand representative. We inspect and certify Nifty Lift, Altec, Elliott, Versalift, Klubb, Terex Utilities and all other makes and models in Australia.
National Infrastructure Support
Reliable fleet access and major inspection services for government, defence, and top-tier contractors.