{"id":566,"date":"2026-10-09T12:42:02","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T04:42:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.speedy-tec.com\/blog\/?p=566"},"modified":"2026-10-09T12:42:02","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T04:42:02","slug":"what-are-the-storage-requirements-for-mewps-4ba3-a2d99d","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.speedy-tec.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/09\/what-are-the-storage-requirements-for-mewps-4ba3-a2d99d\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the storage requirements for MEWPs?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re running a business that rents or owns mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), you already know these machines aren\u2019t just tools\u2014they\u2019re big-ticket investments that power everything from building maintenance to construction projects. As someone who\u2019s spent 12 years selling MEWPs (think scissor lifts, boom lifts, and vertical mast lifts) to small contractors and large construction firms alike, I can\u2019t tell you how many times I\u2019ve seen companies cut corners on storage, only to end up with expensive repairs, downtime, or even safety hazards that could have been avoided. That\u2019s why today, I\u2019m breaking down the non-negotiable storage requirements for MEWPs\u2014stuff I\u2019ve learned from listening to my clients\u2019 headaches, fixing their stored units, and staying on top of OSHA and ISO standards. Because proper storage doesn\u2019t just protect your equipment\u2014it protects your bottom line. MEWPs<\/a><\/p>\n

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First, let\u2019s start with the basics: why MEWP storage isn\u2019t the same as stowing a lawnmower in your garage. These machines weigh anywhere from 2,000 to 40,000 pounds, have delicate hydraulic systems, battery packs that can fail if left in the wrong conditions, and structural parts (like scissor arms or boom hydraulics) that rust or warp if exposed to the elements. Last year, a general contractor I work with out of Dallas stored 10 of his scissor lifts outside for three months during a lull in projects. When he went to use them for a hospital renovation, four of the battery packs were dead beyond repair, two had hydraulic leaks from rusted seals, and one scissor arm wouldn\u2019t extend because water had frozen in the hydraulic lines during a cold snap. He ended up paying $18,000 in repairs and lost a two-week window to start the job\u2014all because he skipped proper storage. That story sticks with me because it\u2019s preventable.<\/p>\n

First on the list of storage requirements: space tailored to your specific MEWP models. Not all lifts are created equal, so \u201cone-size-fits-all\u201d storage never works. Let\u2019s break this down. For scissor lifts, which are typically narrower than boom lifts, you\u2019ll need enough space to not only fit the machine but also room to extend the platform if needed for maintenance. For example, a 30-foot electric scissor lift is about 8 feet wide and 15 feet long when folded, so you\u2019ll need a bay that\u2019s at least 10 feet wide and 20 feet long to maneuver it in and out, plus 3 feet of clearance on all sides to access controls, hydraulic lines, and the battery compartment. Boom lifts are trickier: articulating boom lifts (the ones with joints that let you \u201creach around\u201d obstacles) can be 25 to 60 feet long when folded, with boom arms that stick out, so you\u2019ll need a high bay (not a standard low warehouse space) with ceilings at least 12 feet high to avoid damaging the boom or overhang. I once had a client store a 45-foot articulating boom lift in a standard 10-foot ceiling bay\u2014when he closed the bay doors, he ripped the arm\u2019s protective coating, which led to rust and a $2,500 repaint job. Also, don\u2019t forget floor space: MEWPs are heavy, so you need a surface that can support their weight without cracking or settling. Concrete is best, but if you\u2019re using a gravel or asphalt lot, it needs to be compacted, level, and free of potholes that could trap water or make the machine lean, straining its structural components.<\/p>\n

Next, environmental controls that go beyond just keeping the rain out. This is where I see the most mistakes, especially from clients who store MEWPs outside or in unheated sheds. Let\u2019s start with temperature and humidity. For electric MEWPs (the most common type for indoor and low-altitude outdoor work), battery packs are the most sensitive. Lead-acid batteries, which power most older models, need to be stored in temperatures between 50\u00b0F and 80\u00b0F. If it\u2019s below freezing, the battery\u2019s electrolyte can freeze, cracking the casing and rendering it useless. If it\u2019s above 90\u00b0F, the battery\u2019s charging capacity drops by 30% or more, and internal corrosion speeds up. Lithium-ion batteries, which are becoming more popular on newer MEWPs, are more temperature-tolerant, but even they perform best between 40\u00b0F and 100\u00b0F, and extreme heat can shorten their lifespan by half. Then there\u2019s humidity: high humidity (over 60%) leads to rust on steel parts, from the scissor arms to the lift\u2019s chassis. In coastal areas like Florida or California, salt air is an extra problem\u2014it accelerates corrosion by 2 to 3 times, so storage there needs better sealing and ventilation. For clients storing in wet climates, condensation is another risk: if the storage space is poorly ventilated, humidity can build up overnight, settling on metal parts and causing rust even if the space is dry during the day. That\u2019s why I always recommend dehumidifiers in indoor storage bays, especially for regions with year-round high humidity.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s protection from the elements\u2014even if you\u2019re in a dry climate, UV rays from the sun can damage MEWPs faster than rain. UV rays break down the protective paint coating, the rubber tires, and the plastic components like control panels and safety labels. Last year, a construction company in Phoenix stored 15 boom lifts outside under a thin tarp. After six months, the sun had faded their paint, cracked several tire sidewalls, and made some control buttons sticky and unresponsive. Repairs and replacements cost them $12,000, plus they had to reapply OSHA-required safety labels because the original ones were unreadable. So if you can\u2019t store MEWPs indoors, you need more than a tarp: use heavy-duty, UV-resistant custom covers that fit the exact model of your lift, not a one-size-fits-all tarp that tears easily. Also, if you\u2019re storing outside, make sure the area has proper drainage\u2014no standing water around the unit, which can seep into the chassis and cause rust, or flood the battery compartment. I always tell clients to put their MEWPs on small blocks of wood or rubber to keep them off the ground, especially in areas with heavy rain or snow melt.<\/p>\n

Now, for operational and safety storage requirements, because this isn\u2019t just about protecting the machine\u2014it\u2019s about keeping it ready to use when you need it. First, access to power for charging. Most MEWP batteries need to be charged every 30 to 60 days during storage, even if they\u2019re not in use. If the battery drains completely, it can die permanently, a problem I see all the time. That means your storage space needs access to 110V or 220V power outlets near each MEWP bay. For clients who store multiple units, I recommend setting up a dedicated charging station to make this easier. Also, when you charge during storage, don\u2019t overcharge\u2014follow the manufacturer\u2019s guidelines, which usually say to charge to 50-70% capacity before storing, then top off every 30 days. If you use lithium-ion batteries, the interval can stretch to every 90 days, but don\u2019t skip it.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s security and accessibility. MEWPs are expensive, so you don\u2019t want them getting stolen, and you also want them easy to move when you get a last-minute job. Outdoor storage lots should have fencing, gated access, and lighting to prevent theft\u2014last year, a client in Atlanta had two scissor lifts stolen from his unsecure lot, and it took insurance months to replace them. Indoor storage should have clear labeling for each bay, so you don\u2019t waste time searching for a unit when a job starts. Also, OSHA requires that MEWPs are stored in a way that doesn\u2019t block emergency exits or access to fire equipment, so make sure your storage space complies with local fire codes\u2014no storing flammable materials near MEWPs (like fuel for gas-powered models), and keep fire extinguishers nearby.<\/p>\n

Wait, let\u2019s talk about gas-powered MEWPs too\u2014those used for rough terrain, like large boom lifts for outdoor construction. Their storage requirements are a bit different. First, you need to drain the fuel tank or add a fuel stabilizer, because old fuel breaks down and clogs the carburetor. If you leave gas in the tank for more than 30 days, it can turn into a gummy substance that costs hundreds to fix. Also, gas-powered MEWPs emit fumes, so their storage space needs good ventilation\u2014no closed, unventilated sheds, because fumes can build up and be a fire hazard, or even toxic if inhaled. I had a client in Houston store a gas-powered boom lift in a small closed shed, and the fumes seeped into his office next door, making his employee sick. That\u2019s not just equipment damage\u2014it\u2019s a safety issue.<\/p>\n

Another thing I always emphasize to my clients is following the manufacturer\u2019s specific storage guidelines. Every MEWP model comes with a manual that has exact specs: for example, some scissor lifts require the platform to be fully lowered and the brakes engaged during storage, while others need the arm of a boom lift to be in a specific position to prevent stress on hydraulic lines. Ignoring these guidelines can void your warranty, which is a big deal\u2014one client I had tried to store his boom lift with the arm extended, against the manual\u2019s advice, and when a hydraulic line burst a month later, the manufacturer refused to cover the repair, which cost him $4,000.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s also talk about storage for short-term vs. long-term periods. If you\u2019re storing a MEWP for less than a month, some requirements are more flexible\u2014but not all. For example, even short-term storage outside means using a UV-resistant cover, and checking the battery charge every two weeks. If you\u2019re storing for six months or more, you need to take extra steps: disconnect the battery terminals to prevent drain, lubricate all moving parts (like scissor arms and boom joints) to prevent rust, and cover the entire unit with a heavy, breathable cover (not plastic, which traps moisture) to avoid condensation.<\/p>\n

Now, I know what some of you are thinking: \u201cWe don\u2019t have space for an indoor storage bay, especially if we only have a few MEWPs.\u201d That\u2019s where I come in as your MEWP supplier. I\u2019ve worked with dozens of small contractors who don\u2019t have large warehouses, and we\u2019ve customized storage solutions for them\u2014like small, lockable outdoor pods with custom covers and power access, or shared storage spaces with other local contractors. But even if you\u2019re using an external storage provider, make sure they follow these requirements: ask for proof that the space has temperature control for battery storage, proper drainage, UV protection, and access to charging. Don\u2019t just go for the cheapest storage\u2014because as I told you earlier, a $50\/month cheap storage space can lead to $10,000 in repairs.<\/p>\n

At the end of the day, proper MEWP storage is an investment, not a chore. It keeps your equipment running longer, reduces downtime on jobs, keeps your team safe, and saves you money on repairs and replacements. Over my 12 years in this business, I\u2019ve seen clients who take storage seriously have MEWPs that last 10+ years, while those who cut corners replace their lifts every 3 to 5 years. That\u2019s a huge difference in costs.<\/p>\n

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If you\u2019re not sure if your current storage setup meets these requirements, or you\u2019re looking to add more MEWPs and need help planning your storage space, I\u2019m here to help. I\u2019ve worked with contractors, construction managers, and facilities teams across the country to assess their storage needs, recommend the right MEWP models for their work (whether they need electric scissor lifts for indoor work or rough-terrain boom lifts for outdoor projects), and even connect them with trusted storage providers in their area. Don\u2019t let poor storage turn your valuable equipment into a costly headache. Reach out today to discuss your MEWP needs, and let\u2019s make sure your investment is protected.<\/p>\n

Tower Cranes<\/a> References<\/p>\n