BS ISO 16653-3:2011

Describes the design, calculations, safety requirements and test methods relevant to mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) suitable for orchard operations.

This part of ISO16653 specifies the design, calculations, safety requirements and test methods relevant to mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) suitable for orchard operations. It is intended to be used in conjunction with ISO16368, whose requirements it modifies, supplements or confirms. Unless otherwise stated in this part of ISO16653, the provisions of ISO16368 apply.

This part of ISO16553 specifies the structural design calculations and stability criteria, construction, safety examinations and tests to be carried out before a MEWP to be used in orchard operations is first put into service. It identifies the hazards arising from the use of MEWPs in orchard operations and describes methods for the elimination or reduction of those hazards.

It is applicable to single-person boom-type MEWPs, controlled from the platform and used to move a person to working positions for picking fruit and maintaining trees and trellis vines in an orchard.

NOTE These are typically non-slewing units, based on a two-wheel drive axle and a castor trailing wheel. The lift height requirements vary depending on the plants grown and climatic conditions. MEWPs used in stone fruit, pip fruit and citrus orchards typically will have a lift height of 2,5m to 4,5m. MEWPs used in avocado orchards will typically have a lift height up to 6,5m with occasional units of 8m to 10m. At harvest time, the MEWP for orchard operations is fitted with a picking bag to collect fruit and transport it to a collection point. The rated load, including operator, is typically 170kg to 200kg.