Lift for clearing snow from roofs and removing icicles

To remove icicles, overhanging snow and snow from the edge of a roof, a diesel articulating boom lift 4×4 is used: the platform reaches the eaves from the street side, over parked cars and planting, and the machine drives over snow and mud; in our fleet that is 12.5–43 m working height, from a townhouse to a tall hall. For low buildings and a cleared yard, a diesel rough terrain scissor lift of 10–18 m is enough. From the platform you knock off icicles, sweep overhangs from the eaves and parapet, clean gutters and rooflights and take the crew onto the roof, without anyone stepping onto icy roof slopes. Below: how to choose the height, how to organise the work beside a street, what to watch for in frost, and who is responsible.

Which lift for icicles and snow on a roof?

• Diesel articulating boom lift 4×4 — the basic choice: 16 m (Manitou 160 ATJ, JLG 450AJ SII, Haulotte HA16 PX) for townhouses and blocks of 4–5 storeys, 18–20 m (JLG 510AJ, Genie Z-60/34, Haulotte HA20 PX) for 6 storeys and halls, 26 m (Haulotte HA260 PX, JLG 800AJ) and above for office blocks and tall halls. A horizontal outreach of 7.5–21 m lets you stand behind a parking strip and still reach the eaves.
• Diesel rough terrain scissor lift — 10–18 m, a large platform and a capacity of 450–1,134 kg: the edges of the roofs of halls and warehouses, when the machine can drive straight up over a cleared yard; it carries a crew with shovels, scrapers and sacks.
• Telescopic boom lift — from 14 m (the largest up to 57 m), when you have to reach far in a straight line: over a lower annex, to a tall parapet, to the gutter of an office block.

Working height is matched to the eaves, parapet or ridge plus about 2 m of arm reach; the height classes are covered in the articles 16–18 m lift and 20–28 m lift.

What does clearing snow from a lift look like?

• Icicles and overhangs — they are knocked off from the platform with a pole or shovel, directing the fall into a fenced-off zone; the platform does not stand under the overhang but beside it.
• Roof edge and eaves — the 1–2 m strip along the eaves is swept from the platform with a scraper; this is where overhangs and ice dams in the gutters form.
• Middle of a large roof — it is cleared by a crew on the roof (secured against falls), while the lift takes people and equipment up and clears the snow around rooflights, smoke vents and air handling units.
• Gutters and downpipes — removing ice and leaves, checking the fixings after winter; work as in roofing work.

What should you watch for in winter when working from a lift?

• Parking spot — cleared, hard and level; not on ice, in a snowdrift or on a frozen crust over a void. A machine of 6–17 t needs load-bearing ground (how much does a lift weigh).
• Pavement and carriageway — the drop zone is fenced off and watched; occupying the road reserve requires the consent of the road authority.
• Wind and frost — the wind limit from the manual applies at working height; winter clothing, breaks to warm up, gloves that do not lose grip on the control panel. More in the article lifts in winter.
• Platform and guardrails — ice on the platform floor and snow on the guardrails are removed before anyone steps in; harnesses with lanyards are mandatory.
• Qualifications — an operator with a UDT certificate (UDT is the Polish Office of Technical Inspection); managers without their own crew take the machine with an operator.

Who is responsible for snow and icicles, and how do you organise the work?

In practice the owner or manager of the building is responsible for the safety of pedestrians below, including for the snow, ice and icicles on the roof that endanger them. Housing communities, housing cooperatives and managers of halls and shopping centres most often rent a lift for a day or two after each heavy snowfall; in a snowy winter, long-term rental pays off, with the machine standing on the estate, ready to go out within minutes. It is enough to give the height of the eaves, the number of buildings, the parking spot and the date, and we will choose the model, arrange its delivery and collect it after the work.

Frequently asked questions

Which lift should I use to remove icicles and overhanging snow?

For icicles, overhangs at the eaves and snow sliding onto the pavement, the best choice is a diesel articulating boom lift 4×4 (12.5–43 m working height in our fleet): the platform reaches the eaves from the street side, over parked cars and planting, and the machine drives over snow and mud. For low buildings and level, cleared ground, a diesel rough terrain scissor lift of 10–18 m is enough.

Can a hall roof be cleared of snow from a lift?

Yes. From the lift platform you sweep snow from the edge and the strip along the eaves and knock off overhangs, without going onto the roof. On large, flat hall roofs the middle of the roof slope is cleared by a crew working on the roof (secured against falls and after checking that the structure is not overloaded), while the lift handles the edges, rooflights, gutters and parapets and takes people and equipment up. The height is matched to the ridge or parapet plus 2 m.

Does a lift work in frost and snow?

Diesel 4×4 lifts work in winter, but the machine is positioned on cleared, hard ground, not on ice or in a snowdrift; outriggers and wheels must not be placed on a frozen crust over a void. In severe frost, engine starting and hydraulic oil matter, so it is worth agreeing with the rental company how the machine is prepared for winter. Electric scissor lifts for interiors are not suitable for frost and slush. We cover the rules of working in winter in a separate article.

How long does it take to remove icicles from a townhouse with a lift?

A single façade of a townhouse or block of flats is usually handled by a crew of two from an articulating boom lift in a few hours: the machine travels along the eaves while the people in the platform knock off the icicles and sweep away the overhang. The time is lengthened by occupying the pavement and carriageway (fencing off the drop zone), parked cars and an icy parking spot. In one day of rental you can do several buildings in the same area.

Who is responsible for icicles and snow on the roof?

In practice the owner or manager of the building is responsible for the safety of people below. The Construction Law (Art. 61 and Art. 5(2)) requires a building to be kept in proper condition and to be safe to use, including after heavy snowfall. You can be held liable under civil law for damage caused by sliding snow or falling icicles. Separately, the owner of a property is responsible for clearing snow and ice from the pavement beside their property (the Act on Maintaining Cleanliness and Order in Municipalities), with exceptions. Check the details for your own case with the manager or the municipality. Housing communities, housing cooperatives and managers of halls and shopping centres rent a lift for a day or two after each heavy snowfall; in a longer winter, long-term rental with the machine standing on site pays off.