Rent truck-mounted platforms - flexibility for work at height

A truck-mounted platform brings the working height straight to the job: no delivery lead time, no set-up area, no prior low-loader transport. The platform drives up, stabilises and lifts. For church tower refurbishments, street lighting, tree pruning in public spaces or large installations up to 57 metres, this is the decisive operational advantage over stationary work equipment. Luibl rents truck-mounted platforms from 16 m to over 50 m working height - periodically inspected, from brands such as Ruthmann and Palfinger, with delivery throughout Belgium.

Truck-mounted platforms differ from self-propelled aerial work platforms in one central respect: they are road vehicles. This means:

High mobility between job locations: a truck-mounted platform drives from location A to location B during the lunch break. For municipal services that visit several light points or tree locations every day, this is the decisive economic factor compared with stationary machines.

Fast automatic set-up: modern truck-mounted platforms stabilise automatically at the push of a button. Set-up times of under five minutes are standard - no manual adjustment work, no separate set-up person.

Large outreach: truck-mounted platforms from 20 m working height achieve an outreach of 12 m or more. This makes it possible to reach work areas that self-propelled machines could only reach by repositioning several times - for example facade work over hedges, fences or parked vehicles.

Below-ground-level operation: certain truck-mounted platform models can swing the boom below the set-up level. For the underside of bridges, retaining walls and slopes, this is the only technically safe solution that does not require special equipment.

The light class of truck-mounted platforms is built on carrier vehicles up to 3,500 kg gross vehicle weight. For driving, the required Belgian driving licence category for this weight class is sufficient - no truck licence, no driver card, no restriction by driving and rest times under EU rules.

Key technical data for this class:

• Working height: 16 m to 22 m

• Outreach: up to 11 m

• Basket load: 200 kg to 230 kg

• Carrier vehicle: van or light truck up to 3.5 t GVW

• Outrigger spread: variable, typically 4.5 m to 5.5 m - outrigger pads required on soft ground

Applications:

• Street lighting maintenance by municipal works departments

• Facade and painting work on buildings up to three storeys

• Tree pruning and tree care in public green spaces

• Sign technology and sign installation on business parks

• Electrical installation on building facades and hall roofs

The light class is particularly relevant for trade businesses and municipal bodies that do not have or do not want to keep a truck licence holder on the team. The vehicle is driven like an ordinary van - with the licence the staff already hold.

Above a gross vehicle weight of 3,500 kg, the required Belgian driving licence category for heavier vehicles is needed (up to 7.5 t and above). This class is aimed at projects where working height and outreach exceed the limits of the light class.

Key technical data for the large machine class:

• Working height: 30 m to 57 m and above

• Outreach: up to 30 m on large machines

• Basket load: up to 300 kg (two-person operation)

• Outrigger spread: up to 8 m - strictly on load-bearing ground or with outrigger pads

• Below-ground-level operation: available on several models (boom can swing below the set-up level)

Practical example: a 57 m machine was used for a church tower refurbishment in Passau. Despite extremely tight space on the market square, the variable outrigger configuration enabled a standard-compliant set-up with maximum stability - a stationary solution would not have been feasible on this ground and in this space.

Applications of the large machine class:

• Church towers, industrial chimneys, silos

• Bridge inspection and bridge maintenance

• Installation of wind turbine ancillary systems and line infrastructure

• High-level installation work in industrial construction

• Event stage rigging and sound systems at major events

The licence requirement depends solely on the gross vehicle weight of the carrier vehicle, not on the working height of the platform:

• Up to 3,500 kg GVW: the required Belgian driving licence category for this class is sufficient for all light-class truck-mounted platforms. No trip log, no driver card required.

• 3,501 kg to 7,500 kg GVW: the required Belgian driving licence category for this class is needed for medium truck-mounted platforms. Depending on use, a driver card may be required under EU rules.

• Over 7,500 kg GVW: the required Belgian driving licence category for heavy trucks, for large machines from 30 m working height upwards.

For operating the platform itself, regardless of the licence: the operator must have received documented instruction under the Code on Well-being at Work (adequate training ensured by the employer). A licence for the carrier vehicle does not replace instruction in operating the platform. Luibl carries out a documented operator briefing on every handover.

Using a truck-mounted platform on public roads, pavements or squares is subject to the Belgian Highway Code (Royal Decree of 1 December 1975). The following points must be clarified before the job:

Permit to occupy the public road: using public roads as a set-up location requires prior permission from the municipality (occupation of the public domain) and, where traffic is obstructed, a signage permit as well. The application lead time varies from municipality to municipality - apply in good time.

Traffic safety and barriers: the set-up area must be secured in line with applicable Belgian rules on signage for works on public roads. Proper barriers, warning lights and, where necessary, traffic signs are the responsibility of the user - not a Luibl task, but can be coordinated on request.

Ground and load-bearing capacity: on pavements, paved areas and green spaces, the load-bearing capacity of the ground must be checked before stabilising. On soft ground or ground of unknown bearing capacity, outrigger pads (min. 1 m x 1 m per outrigger) must be used. Luibl recommends ordering outrigger pads as standard with every truck-mounted platform rental.

Wind speed: safe operation of truck-mounted platforms is limited to a maximum wind speed of 12.5 m/s (Beaufort 6) - according to NBN EN 280. In weather conditions above this limit, work must stop. For work above 40 m, local wind measurements are advisable, as wind speed increases with height.

Ruthmann: Ruthmann truck-mounted platforms are the standard in Germany for municipal and commercial use. The Ruthmann mast system is designed for high duty cycles - engineered for durability, not for minimum weight. The basket controls respond proportionally and precisely, which matters when working on building facades with tight tolerances. Ruthmann models cover the range from 16 m to 57 m working height.

Palfinger: Palfinger platforms are known for their small footprint when stabilising. Compact outrigger spreads allow use on streets with parking on both sides without completely closing off oncoming traffic. This makes Palfinger models the preferred choice for urban jobs with limited set-up space.

Both brands are regularly maintained in the Luibl rental fleet and checked before every delivery; proof of the periodic inspection by an external technical inspection body (EDTC/SECT) is available on handover.

All truck-mounted platforms are covered by the compulsory motor third-party liability insurance of the carrier vehicle for damage to third parties on the road. For damage to the rental machine itself (machinery damage, accident damage during operation), machinery breakdown insurance with an excess is required. This can optionally be included in the rental contract through Luibl.

In the event of damage: report immediately to Luibl, no unauthorised repair attempts, initial assessment by a Luibl technician on site.

Luibl delivers truck-mounted platforms throughout Belgium - in Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia, with appointments at short notice.

Request a quote via our contact form: state the working height, job location, rental period and the driver's licence. For projects requiring a permit for public spaces: enquire early so that the delivery date and permit lead time can be coordinated.