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Ground conditions are one of the most important factors in choosing the right EWP. They’re also one of the most overlooked. Get it right, and the job runs smoothly. Get it wrong, and you’re looking at instability, sinking, tipping risk, and potential injury. Before anything goes in the air, the ground beneath it needs to be assessed.
Below you’ll find a general guide to matching the right machine to your ground conditions. For the most accurate recommendation, a free onsite assessment with an experienced member of the All Star crew is the way to go.
Every EWP is designed with specific ground conditions in mind. A machine that performs well on hard, flat concrete can become a hazard on soft soil or a steep slope. The risks are real: unstable ground can cause a machine to tip or sink, outriggers can fail to find purchase, and wet or sloped surfaces can compromise both travel and operation at height.
Beyond safety, using the wrong machine on the wrong surface slows the job down. A wheeled machine bogging on a soft site, or a tracked machine crawling across a large hard-stand area, both cost time and money.
For a broader overview of the different EWP types and their general capabilities, see our guide on understanding different EWP types.
Hard, sealed, and well-compacted surfaces are the most straightforward conditions to work with. Concrete slabs, asphalt, compacted gravel, and hard-stand areas provide a stable base with predictable ground bearing capacity.
Best EWP for the job: Electric scissor lifts are the best option for hard indoor surfaces. They’re manoeuvrable, zero-emission, and purpose-built for flat, stable ground. Electric boom lifts are the right call when horizontal outreach is needed on the same surface type. Outdoors, standard diesel models are the right call.
Keep in mind: Even on hard surfaces, check for drainage grates, expansion joints, and underground services that could affect outrigger placement or machine stability.
Rocky ground, rutted tracks, broken surfaces, and unfinished construction sites all fall into this category. The challenge is maintaining traction and stability while the machine travels and operates across surfaces that aren’t level or consistent.
Best EWP for the job: Rough terrain scissor lifts and rough terrain boom lifts are built for this. They run on large-diameter, deep-tread tyres with 4WD and oscillating axles to maintain ground contact across irregular surfaces. Telehandlers are also worth considering on rough but firm ground, particularly where materials handling is part of the scope alongside access work.
For more details on how these machines perform, see our guide on wheeled vs tracked EWPs for rough terrain.
Keep in mind: Rough terrain machines are suited to firm but uneven ground. If the surface is also soft or wet, a tracked machine may be the better option.
Working on a slope introduces tipping risk and puts additional lateral load on the machine. Most EWPs have a maximum gradient rating, and operating beyond that is a safety violation as much as it is a practical problem.
Best EWP for the job: Track mounted boom lifts with self-levelling undercarriages are designed for slopes. The self-levelling function keeps the platform stable regardless of the gradient beneath the machine. Rough terrain boom lifts can also handle moderate slopes, though model-specific gradient ratings should always be checked before deployment.
Keep in mind: Always check the manufacturer’s slope rating for the specific machine. Never assume a machine is rated for a gradient it hasn’t been assessed against.
Uncompacted soil, grass, and sand all present a ground bearing problem. Concentrated wheel loading can cause a machine to sink, shift, or become unstable during operation.
Best EWP for the job: Tracked EWPs are the right choice here. By spreading the machine’s weight across continuous rubber tracks, they reduce point loading and maintain flotation on soft or uncompacted surfaces. Spider booms are worth considering on softer ground where access is tight, as their low ground pressure and compact footprint make them well-suited to sensitive or restricted surfaces.
Keep in mind: Ground mats or timber spreader pads can extend the usable range of wheeled machines on softer ground, but tracked machines remain the safer and more practical option where the surface is soft.
Mud reduces traction for wheeled machines and increases the risk of sinking. Wet surfaces also affect stability during travel and increase stopping distances.
Best EWP for the job: The continuous rubber track system of a track mounted boom lift or track mounted scissor lift maintains grip and flotation in conditions that would stop a wheeled machine. For sites that move between wet and dry conditions throughout a project, a tracked machine is often the more reliable long-term choice. Where a wheeled machine is required, track mats can be laid across soft or muddy ground to create a stable working surface and protect the ground underneath.
Keep in mind: Even tracked machines have limits in extreme mud. If conditions are severe, a site assessment before the machine arrives will prevent costly downtime once it’s on the ground.
Gravel sits somewhere between hard and soft ground, depending on depth and compaction. Loose, deep gravel can behave similarly to soft soil under machine load, while compacted gravel performs much closer to a hard surface.
Best EWP for the job: Rough terrain boom lifts or scissor lifts handle compacted gravel well. For loose or deep gravel, tracked machines offer better stability and reduced risk of sinking or shifting.
Keep in mind: Gravel depth and compaction levels vary significantly. If in doubt, treat it as soft ground and opt for a tracked machine.
Indoor sites present a different set of challenges: tight access, low clearances, floor load limits, and the need for zero emissions in enclosed environments.
Best EWP for the job: Electric scissor lifts are the standard choice for indoor work. Electric or hybrid Spider booms are worth considering for particularly confined spaces, as their compact footprint and narrow transport width allow them to access areas that standard machines can’t reach.
For a full breakdown of indoor access options, see our guide on what access equipment can be used indoors.
Keep in mind: Always check floor load ratings before taking any machine indoors. Even a compact electric scissor lift exerts significant point loading through its wheels.
If the ground conditions on your site are mixed, changeable, or hard to read, the safest move is to get an expert on the ground before you commit to a machine. All Star offers a free onsite assessment where the team comes to your site, evaluates the conditions, and recommends the right equipment for the job.
Book a free onsite assessment or get in touch with the All Star team to talk through your requirements.