Roof work with a mast lift - planning, safety, procedures

Anyone planning roof work usually thinks straight away of scaffolding or a large articulating boom lift. Many are surprised that the compact mast lift can also be a serious option. Especially on flat industrial roofs, hall roofs or roof structures on paved ground, the mast lift offers real advantages: it is quickly ready for use, fits through gates and entrances and can be manoeuvred in confined spaces. What you need to consider during planning, which conditions must be met and when other machines are the better choice - this article shows you.

Renting a mast lift for roof work is particularly worthwhile when three conditions come together:

1. Low to medium-height building type

The mast lifts in the Luibl rental fleet reach working heights of up to 12.65 metres. This covers flat roofs of warehouses, production buildings, garages or commercial properties - i.e. anything that does not exceed an eaves height of around 10 to 11 metres.

2. Paved, level ground

Mast lifts are designed for level ground. Asphalt or concrete driveways and yard areas next to the building are ideal. If the ground is uneven, waterlogged or not load-bearing, articulating boom lifts or spider lifts are the right alternative.

3. Limited space

Especially in commercial yards, where storage areas, loading docks and traffic routes lie close together, the mast lift plays to its strengths. Its small footprint and minimal turning radius allow positioning exactly where other machines have no room.

Typical applications are: maintenance of roof penetrations, repair of gutters, installation of ventilation systems or solar modules on flat roofs, and inspection of skylights and rooflights.

Not every mast lift is suitable for every roof job. The decisive parameters are working height, outreach and load capacity. Luibl has the following models available:

Model	Working height	Outreach	Special feature
MB-100 (Haulotte Star 10)	10.00 m	3.00 m	Minimal footprint, agile indoors
MB-100 (Manitou VJR 100)	10.00 m	3.00 m	Robust base, compact dimensions
MB-126 (JLG Toucan 12E Plus)	12.65 m	6.05 m	Basket jib for up-and-over reach

All models have electric drive and non-marking tyres. The load capacity is 200 kg - sufficient for one person plus usual tools and small materials.

Important for outdoor use: Most mast lifts are primarily designed for indoor use. For outdoor use on paved ground, checking the operating conditions on site is mandatory. Operation should be stopped in winds of force 5 (approx. 8 m/s) or more.

Safety during roof work does not begin with switching on the machine, but with preparation. The following points must be clarified before using a mast lift for roof work:

Ground check
Have the load-bearing capacity of the ground checked by a responsible person, especially with older industrial paving or areas close to cellars and drainage shafts. If in doubt, use load-spreading plates.

Wind conditions
When extended, mast lifts are sensitive to crosswinds. Check the weather forecast and define a wind limit at which work is stopped.

Fall protection on the roof
The mast lift takes your workers to the roof edge - what happens after that is the employer's responsibility. On the roof itself, further protective measures (fall protection systems, safety harnesses) are required for work at height under Government Regulation No. 147/2013 Coll. if work is not carried out from the platform.

Operator authorisation
Operating a mast lift requires a professional operator briefing in line with occupational safety rules and ideally an operator licence (IPAF). Luibl provides an operator briefing on handover - simply ask about it with your enquiry.

Cordoning off the work area
Define a safety zone around the machine and secure it against unauthorised access. Tools and materials can fall - especially when working on the roof surface itself.

A structured process reduces downtime and increases work safety. The following sequence has proven itself in practice:

1. Planning and machine selection - measure eaves height, check ground, agree on the right model with Luibl

2. Delivery and positioning - Luibl delivers the mast lift with its own low-loader fleet directly to the site; if required, a technician can be requested for the briefing

3. Operator briefing - at least one responsible person must be briefed on operating the specific model

4. Set up safety zone - put up barriers, mark the danger area

5. Position the machine - perpendicular to the roof edge, choose the distance so that the basket safely reaches the eaves height

6. Carry out the work - continuously monitor wind conditions, never overload the basket

7. Return and sign-off - clean the machine and make it ready for collection

A logistics company from the Landshut area was facing the annual maintenance of its roof: checking bitumen membranes, cleaning gravel guards, replacing two ventilation flaps. The building has an eaves height of 9.20 metres, and the yard is fully asphalted.

A scaffolding quote from a local supplier would have meant three days of set-up and considerable additional costs. Instead, an MB-100 (Haulotte Star 10) was rented via Luibl for four working days. Delivery took place the evening before, and the first working day began with a short briefing by the Luibl driver.

Result: All roof work was completed in two and a half days. The mast lift could be moved along the entire length of the building without any problems and without interrupting ongoing truck operations in the yard. Total costs well below the scaffolding alternative - and no effort for set-up and dismantling.

Can I really use a mast lift for work on the roof?
Yes - if you access the roof from the platform or work at the roof edge. The mast lift remains on the ground while the basket is positioned at the height of the roof edge.

At what building height is a mast lift no longer sufficient?
The maximum working height of our mast lifts is 12.65 metres. Eaves heights above this require an articulating boom lift or a scissor lift with an appropriate lift height.

May a mast lift be used on a slope?
No. Mast lifts may only be operated on level surfaces. A gradient of more than 1-2% makes use impermissible.

How long does delivery take?
We deliver throughout Slovakia, often at short notice by arrangement.

How much does it cost to rent a mast lift?
The rental costs depend on the model, rental period and place of use. It is best to ask Luibl directly - the advice is free of charge.

The mast lift is not an all-purpose machine for every roof. But for flat roofs and low hall roofs on paved ground, it is often the fastest, most cost-effective and most practical solution. Where scaffolding costs days of set-up and large telescopic boom lifts have no room, the mast lift gets the job done efficiently and without interrupting daily operations.

If you would like to know which model suits your project, contact Luibl directly. With delivery throughout Slovakia and our own logistics, the machine is with you promptly - with an operator briefing on handover and ready for use.