Sometimes the actual roofing or chimney work is the easy bit. The real challenge is getting the cherry picker into position and, more importantly, getting it back out again without removing half the customer’s garden, a gate post, or your own sanity.
In this video, I’m using my Platform Basket 1890 Pro spider lift on a tight-access renovation job where the access route is anything but straightforward. We’ve got narrow gaps, raised edgings, a pergola, a precious rose, a cast iron bath, building waste, tight gateways, uneven ground, and one very awkward machine to manoeuvre.
You can watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/UWAhqT-H6IQ
Watch the video first, then come back and I’ll talk you through what was going on, why I made certain decisions, and why cherry picker access is often the most important part of roof repairs, chimney repairs, gutter cleaning and working at height.
Why Access Planning Matters on Roofing and Chimney Jobs
When people think about roof repairs, chimney repointing, chimney flaunching, roof leak repair or gutter clearance, they usually focus on the actual work being carried out at height.
But before any of that can happen, I have to answer a very important question:
Can I actually get the machine where it needs to be?
That is where cherry picker access becomes a job in itself. A spider lift is brilliant for awkward properties, tight gardens, rear access routes and difficult working-at-height situations, but it still needs a safe and practical route in and out.
On paper, a machine might fit. In real life, there are walls, steps, edgings, gates, loose ground, flower beds, skips, bins, low branches, pergolas and, occasionally, a cast iron bath that appears to be on a mission to block every possible route.
First Job: Remove the Basket
The first thing I did was remove the basket from the cherry picker.
That immediately makes the machine shorter, slightly narrower and much less likely to snag on anything as it comes out. It also protects the basket itself, because if something is going to catch or scrape, I’d rather it wasn’t the part of the machine I stand in.
This is one of those small setup decisions that can make a big difference. It’s the same mindset I use when carrying out roof surveys and reports: look at the situation properly first, assess the risks, and don’t just charge in hoping for the best.
Hope is not a method. Although, to be fair, it does occasionally get invited along as a passenger.
Why I Tried Not to Narrow the Tracks
One of the big decisions in the video was whether or not to narrow the tracks on the Platform Basket 1890 Pro.
Narrowing the tracks is useful because it helps the machine fit through tighter gaps, but it comes with compromises. When the tracks are brought in, the machine loses ground clearance and the footprint becomes much smaller.
That means two things:
Less ground clearance
With the tracks narrowed, the machine is more likely to drag across uneven ground, raised edges, plants, debris and anything else in the way. Instead of rolling over obstacles cleanly, it starts catching on them.
Less stability
The issue is not really that the centre of gravity suddenly shoots upwards. The bigger problem is that the machine has a much narrower base supporting it.
A narrower footprint means less stability, especially if the ground is uneven or the machine starts leaning. When you’re working with access machinery, stability is everything.
That applies whether I’m carrying out roof repairs, chimney repairs, gutter cleaning, roof leak investigations or any other high-access work. Getting safely into position matters just as much as the repair itself.
The Risk of Throwing a Track
On the way into this job, the machine had already lost a track. That is not something you want to repeat.
The problem was the raised edging alongside the tarmac. When the tracks are narrow, they can ride along the top of that edging. If the machine slips off at the wrong angle, the track can come away.
In a wide-open area, that would still be annoying. In a tight courtyard with limited room to move, it becomes a proper headache.
That is why I wanted to keep the machine in its wide track setting for as long as possible. More stability, more clearance, less chance of throwing another track, and generally fewer opportunities for me to start questioning my life choices.
The Renovation Site Problem
This property was undergoing a full renovation, including the garden. That meant there was building waste, materials and obstacles everywhere.
The skip should have been swapped over earlier, but that had been delayed. As a result, the easiest route out was blocked, and a week’s worth of waste had built up in the courtyard.
This is the sort of thing that happens on real jobs. You can plan as much as you like, but building sites change daily. One day a route is clear; the next day there’s a bath, a pile of timber, rubble bags, scaffold boards and something sharp enough to remove a track in seconds.
That’s why working at height is never just about the height. It’s about the whole environment.
The Precious Rose and the Pergola Problem
The garden itself was being renovated, so most of the plants were not a concern. But there was one thing the customer wanted to keep: the rose growing over the pergola.
Naturally, this was exactly where the machine needed to go.
The pergola itself was being replaced, which helped, because I’ll be honest — it had already received a few love taps from the cherry picker. But the rose had to survive.
That meant I had no choice but to narrow the tracks and squeeze the machine through the archway.
Narrowing the Platform Basket 1890 Pro
On some spider lifts, narrowing the tracks is done at the push of a button. Machines like the Hinowa 20.10 or CMC S20 can narrow down without needing to put the outriggers down first.
On the Platform Basket 1890 Pro, it is more manual.
I had to lower the outriggers, take the weight off the tracks, remove the locking pins, and then bring the legs back up so the track assemblies fold underneath the machine.
It works, but it takes longer and needs more space. In a tight-access situation, that is definitely a disadvantage.
However, the 1890 Pro has one major advantage: ground clearance. It sits higher than a lot of similar machines, which makes it very useful on rough or uneven ground. Like most machines, it is all about trade-offs.
No cherry picker is perfect. If anyone tells you otherwise, they’re either selling one or they haven’t used it in enough awkward gardens yet.
When Millimetres Matter
Once the machine was narrowed down, we were technically close to fitting through the pergola. The problem was the ground.
There was raised edging along both sides of the path. One track was riding up on the edge, while the other was down on the tarmac. That meant the whole machine was slightly off level.
And when a machine that tall leans slightly, the top moves more than you think.
Even though the machine had enough width and height on paper, the lean was pushing one of the outriggers into the pergola post. That is the kind of detail you only really appreciate when you’re stood there, remote in hand, watching paint slowly disappear from the machine.
Using Spreader Pads to Level the Machine
The solution was to back the machine out slightly and pack up the low side.
I placed one of my spreader pads under the track to lift that side and level the machine. By taking the lean out, the outrigger moved away from the post and gave me just enough clearance to squeeze through.
That is a good example of real-world problem solving.
Not glamorous. Not complicated. But effective.
And that is often what access work comes down to: understanding why the machine is doing what it’s doing, then making small adjustments until the problem is solved.
Getting Creative with the Fly Jib
Because the skip and waste were blocking the best route, I had to use the machine creatively.
By lifting the fly jib, I gained roughly 700mm of extra usable clearance at the front. That allowed me to lift part of the machine over the rubbish and avoid fouling anything in front.
This is where experience with spider lifts really matters. Knowing how the boom, fly jib, turret and base all interact can make the difference between getting out cleanly and getting completely stuck.
The same applies when using cherry picker access for chimney maintenance and repair. The machine is not just there to get you high; it is there to position you safely and efficiently where ladders or scaffolding might be awkward, disruptive or less practical.
Removing the Gate and Rebuilding the Machine
Once the machine was through the first awkward section, the next job was to remove the gate.
With the gate off, I could start putting parts of the machine back together, including refitting the outrigger pads. If I needed to drop the legs again, I wanted proper ground protection and a stable footing.
That is an important point. Outrigger pads are not decorative accessories. They help spread the load, protect the ground and improve stability.
Whether I’m doing gutter clearance, chimney repairs, roof leak repair or gutter cleaning, the machine setup is part of the job. You cannot separate the repair from the access method.
Width Is Not the Only Issue
One of the biggest lessons from this job is that access is not just about width.
A machine might be narrow enough to fit through a gateway, but that does not mean it can turn into position. Length matters just as much.
In this case, the gap between the stone wall and the house was shorter than the length of the machine. I could not simply line it up and drive straight through.
The rear knuckle of the boom would have caught the wall, while the front fly jib was getting too close to the house. I was technically narrow enough, but too long to manoeuvre in one clean movement.
That meant I had to change the shape of the machine.
Raising the Boom to Clear the Wall
To get through the final awkward section, I had to raise the tower boom and lift the rear knuckle up and over the wall.
This is not ideal.
By raising the boom while the tracks are narrowed, I increased the height of the machine while reducing its footprint. Add movement into the equation, and the risk level goes up.
That is why this type of manoeuvre has to be done slowly, carefully and with constant awareness of what is around the machine.
I used the outriggers where possible to add stability, but space was so limited that I could not keep them down all the time. It became a series of small adjustments: move slightly, check clearance, adjust the boom, check again, keep everything under control.
You can see this full section in the video here: https://youtu.be/UWAhqT-H6IQ
It is worth watching because it shows how little room there actually was to work with.
A Sweeping Brush, a Fly Jib and a Bit of Persuasion
At one point, every millimetre mattered so much that I had to rotate the fly jib using a sweeping brush because I could not physically reach the controls from where I was positioned.
Is that textbook? No.
Is it the kind of thing that happens when you are trying to get a spider lift out of a ridiculous access route? Absolutely.
This is the difference between theory and real life. Access equipment is designed brilliantly, but properties are not always designed with a Platform Basket 1890 Pro in mind.
A slight movement of the turret, a small change of angle, a bit of persuasion on a post, and eventually the machine lined up with the gate.
As I said in the video: where there’s a will, and a tolerance for a bit of collateral damage, there’s a way.
Why This Matters for Roofing, Chimney and Gutter Work
This video is not just about moving a machine out of a courtyard.
It shows why access planning is critical for roof repairs, chimney repairs, chimney flaunching, chimney repointing, gutter repairs, gutter cleaning and roof leak repair.
A good repair starts before the tools come out. It starts with asking:
Can the work be reached safely?
Is the ground suitable?
Is there enough space to set up?
Are there fragile surfaces, tight turns or overhead obstructions?
Is a cherry picker the right access method?
That is why I put so much focus on access when assessing jobs. Sometimes the repair itself is straightforward, but reaching it safely is the technical part.
For example, a leaking chimney might need repointing, new flaunching, lead flashing repairs or a cowl fitting. But before any of that happens, I need to know whether I can get to the chimney safely and efficiently.
The same goes for blocked gutters, roof leaks, slipped tiles, moss removal, bird mesh installation and general high-level property maintenance.
The Real Lesson: Access Is Often the Hardest Part
On this job, the machine did eventually come out. It took patience, careful positioning, a few compromises and a decent amount of problem solving.
The main lesson is simple: just because something fits on paper does not mean it fits in real life.
Ground levels, machine length, overhanging structures, narrow tracks, reduced stability, walls, gates and building waste can all turn a simple access route into a proper challenge.
That is why experience matters. Working at height is not just about being willing to go up in the air. It is about understanding the risks before you get there.
If you enjoy this kind of behind-the-scenes look at cherry picker access, roofing, chimney work and real-world problem solving, make sure you watch the full video and subscribe to the channel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a cherry picker access tight spaces?
Yes, a tracked spider cherry picker can often access tight spaces that would be difficult for scaffolding, ladders or larger machines. However, access depends on width, length, ground conditions, turning space and overhead obstructions. For difficult properties, cherry picker access needs proper planning before the job starts.
Is a spider lift good for roof repairs?
A spider lift can be very useful for roof repairs, especially where scaffolding would be slow, expensive or disruptive. It allows safe access to chimneys, roof edges, gutters, valleys and high-level defects, provided there is a suitable route for the machine.
Why is access important for chimney repairs?
Access is critical for chimney repairs because the work is usually carried out at height and often in awkward positions. Chimney repointing, chimney flaunching and lead flashing repairs all need safe, stable access so the work can be done properly. You can find out more about chimney maintenance and repair on my website.
Why do spider lifts have narrow tracks?
Spider lifts have adjustable tracks so they can pass through narrow gateways, side paths and restricted access routes. The downside is that narrowing the tracks reduces the machine’s footprint, which can make it less stable and reduce ground clearance. That is why narrow-track use needs extra care.
Can a cherry picker be used for gutter cleaning?
Yes, cherry picker access can be a very effective method for gutter clearance and gutter cleaning, especially on taller properties or where ladders are unsafe. It allows gutters, hoppers and downpipes to be reached safely while giving a clear view of the problem.
What causes roof leaks around chimneys?
Roof leaks around chimneys are often caused by failed lead flashing, cracked flaunching, damaged mortar joints, porous brickwork or poor previous repairs. A proper inspection helps identify whether the issue needs chimney repointing, flashing repair, new flaunching or other roof leak repair work.
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