On-site powered access training
3B Cherry Picker training delivered at your workplace for articulated and telescopic boom-type access platforms. Weekday and weekend dates are available nationwide subject to our live diary, travel arrangements and site suitability.
3B Cherry Picker and boom lift operator training
A 3B cherry picker uses an articulated or telescopic boom to place the operator platform above, around or beyond obstacles. These machines are widely used for building maintenance, installation, inspection, construction and other work at height where a vertical-only platform cannot reach the task.
Training is normally delivered on your suitable machine so the course can reflect the controls, boom configuration, platform, emergency systems, ground conditions and working environment candidates will actually use.
What 3B Cherry Picker training covers
- Operator responsibilities and safe working practices for powered access equipment.
- Pre-use inspection, control checks, safety devices and defect reporting.
- Ground conditions, gradients, platform positioning and machine stability.
- Understanding the working envelope, boom movement, tail swing and clearance.
- Safe travel, steering and positioning before elevating the platform.
- Overhead hazards, structures, services and entrapment risks.
- Platform controls, ground controls and emergency lowering arrangements.
- Fall-protection requirements where applicable to the machine and task.
- Practical operating exercises and operator assessment.
Course timing for 1–3 candidates
| Training route | Minimum course time |
|---|---|
| Novice | 5–7.5 hours |
| Existing operator | 4.25–6.25 hours |
| Refresher | 3–5 hours |
| Conversion | 4.25–6.5 hours |
The final course duration depends on candidate numbers, previous experience, the exact platform, the workplace and the practical tasks to be covered. The correct route is confirmed before booking rather than choosing a shorter course purely on cost or convenience.
3B Cherry Picker vs 3A Scissor Lift
Both are mobile elevated work platforms, but they are used differently. A 3A scissor lift raises the platform vertically, while a 3B cherry picker or boom lift uses an articulated or telescopic boom to provide outreach beyond the machine chassis. Training should therefore match the actual platform operators will use rather than assuming experience on one MEWP automatically covers the other.
| Machine | Typical movement | Key practical focus |
|---|---|---|
| 3A Scissor Lift | Vertical platform movement | Ground conditions, elevated travel, overhead clearance and emergency lowering |
| 3B Cherry Picker / Boom Lift | Articulated or telescopic boom outreach | Working envelope, boom and tail swing, entrapment hazards, platform positioning and recovery |
If operators use both types, tell us when booking so the training requirement can be matched to the equipment and previous experience. See our 3A Scissor Lift training page for the vertical-platform course.
Preparing your site for 3B cherry picker training
Please make sure the cherry picker is serviceable and available throughout training, with a controlled practical area large enough for safe boom movement and emergency-lowering exercises. Tell us in advance about restricted access, sloping ground, overhead services, confined areas or unusual work-at-height tasks.
Cherry picker booking checklist
- Confirm the machine make, model and whether the boom is articulated, telescopic or a combination of both.
- Provide the maximum platform height and outreach where known.
- Identify the normal work area, ground conditions, overhead hazards and restricted-access points.
- Confirm the site’s emergency-lowering and rescue arrangements before practical training starts.
- Tell us the candidate numbers, previous powered-access experience and preferred weekday or weekend dates.
Where harness use forms part of the machine or site requirements, make sure the correct equipment and site procedure are available for the practical session.
If your work also involves vertical-only platforms, see our Scissor Lift training. You can compare the wider equipment list on Machines We Train On and check weekday and weekend availability before requesting a quotation.
3B Cherry Picker training FAQs
Is a cherry picker the same as a boom lift?
“Cherry picker” and “boom lift” are commonly used for powered access platforms that use a telescopic or articulated boom. The exact machine configuration should still be confirmed before training is booked.
Can training be delivered on our own cherry picker?
Yes. On-site delivery using the employer’s suitable equipment allows candidates to learn the controls, working envelope and emergency systems they will use at work.
Do you provide refresher and conversion training?
Yes, where candidate history and the machine category support the route. Previous experience is reviewed before the duration is confirmed.
Do you offer weekend cherry picker training?
Yes. Weekday and weekend dates are available subject to location and our live diary.
Book 3B Cherry Picker training
Send the site postcode, machine make and model, candidate numbers, previous experience and preferred dates. You can check current availability, review training prices or request a quotation.
