If you enjoy seeing spider lifts put through their paces, this one’s for you. During a recent visit to Elite Access in Milton Keynes, I had the chance to jump onto the Easy Lift R180 for a hands-on test. I didn’t get all day with it, but I had more than enough time to get a proper feel for how it behaves, how it’s built, and whether it stacks up to machines like my own 1890 Pro.
If you want to watch the test for yourself, you can catch the full video here:
This was a genuinely interesting bit of kit, simple, solid, and surprisingly capable. Here’s how it went.
A Simple, No-Frills Build (And That’s a Good Thing)
One of the first things that stood out is just how straightforward the Easy Lift R180 is. No over-complication, no unnecessary electronics, no fancy add-ons that look nice on paper but go wrong in real life. What you see is exactly what you get a proper, honest, well-built spider lift.
Despite its compact size, it feels strong and sturdy, with quality steel and a reassuring sense of durability. Straight away, you know it’s built to graft.
I also couldn’t help noticing how similar it looks to the Platform Basket 1890 Pro. The profile, behaviour, and even the feel are very close which immediately made me want to see how it compared in the air.
First Time in the Basket: Outreach, Height & Feel
Once elevated, the R180 actually surprised me. The outreach feels good for its size, the height is respectable, and the machine moves with confidence. It’s compact on the ground but feels bigger in the air always a nice quality in a tracked spider lift.
It did remind me (politely) when I was at full stretch with a quick beep, nothing unusual, just the safety system doing its job.
Full Specs Breakdown: What the Easy Lift R180 Offers
Here’s the complete rundown of the R180’s specifications ideal if you’re comparing models or considering a purchase:
- Maximum working height: 17.6m
- Maximum outreach: 8.5m
- Up-and-over clearance: 5.3m
- Safe working load: 200kg
- Basket rotation: 180°
- Turret rotation: 320°
- Machine weight: 2,330kg
- Overall length: 5.6m
- Outrigger footprint: 3.1m × 3.1m
- Narrow tracking width: 850mm
- Wide tracking width: 1,100mm
- Stowed height: 1,950mm (fits through most standard doorways)
- Power options: Diesel for outdoor work / Electric for quiet, emission-free indoor work
For a machine with this footprint, those numbers are impressive — especially the ability to fit through internal doorways while still reaching well over 17 metres.
Hydraulic Levers: A Feature Some Will Love
The hydraulic basket controls were one of my favourite things about the R180. You can feel the machine moving through the levers every vibration, every adjustment. It gives a fine level of control that’s brilliant when you’re positioning yourself close to a roofline or ridge.
But… hydraulics do come with extra hoses, and on the R180, the hose track runs externally up the telescopic boom. If you work near trees, branches, or hedges, this is something you’ll want to think about.
Access Considerations: The 850mm Question
Most spider lifts narrow to around 800mm the magic number for garden gates.
The R180 narrows to 850mm, and although 50mm doesn’t sound like much, it can be the difference between getting onto a job or not.
The basket isn’t easily detachable either, which could make tight access trickier compared to machines where the basket drops off in seconds.
Pros and Cons Summarised
What I Liked:
- Simple, no-nonsense design
- Strong build quality
- Hydraulic control feel
- Smooth, predictable operation
- Quick setup and easy to use
- Great value for money
- Fits through most internal doorways
- Good outreach and height for its weight
Things to Be Aware Of:
- External hose track may snag near trees
- 850mm narrow width could be restrictive
- Basket not easily detachable
Final Thoughts: A Reliable Little Workhorse
Overall, the Easy Lift R180 impressed me. It’s not trying to be flashy or overly modern — it’s just a solid, capable spider lift that does exactly what it should. For its price point, reliability, and ease of use, it’s definitely a machine worth considering.
If you’d like to see my full walk-around, in-basket testing, and real-world thoughts, make sure to watch the full video here:
👉 https://youtu.be/9VWIjjb-Dmk
And if you enjoy cherry picker reviews, behind-the-scenes job footage, or day-in-the-life content, following along is the best way to catch future videos.
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My workwear is sponsored by Granite Workwear, and all of the clothing I’m wearing in the video can be purchased on their website: https://www.graniteworkwear.com/
