There are some machines that you look at once, walk away from, and then can’t stop thinking about.
That is exactly what happened with the Multitel MZ250 truck mounted cherry picker.
I first saw this machine at Elite Access when I was testing another access platform, but the MZ250 stuck in my head. A 25 metre truck mounted cherry picker, mounted on a 3.5 tonne chassis, with serious outreach, fast setup, and no trailer to tow? On paper, it sounds like it could be a very useful bit of kit for roof repairs, chimney repairs, gutter cleaning and general high-access work.
You can watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/jqEeMXGaVgs
Have a watch, then come back and read the full breakdown, because this is one of those machines where the details really matter.
Why I Went Back to Test the Multitel MZ250
The first time I saw this machine, it unfortunately broke during the test.
Not ideal.
To be fair to Elite Access, it had only just come in and they had not had chance to properly go through it. These things happen, especially with access machinery. But even though that first impression was slightly interrupted, the machine stayed in my mind.
The question was simple:
Could a truck mounted access platform like this work in my business?
At the moment, most of my high-access roofing, chimney maintenance and gutter work is carried out using my spider cherry picker. That gives me the ability to get into awkward locations, tight spaces, back gardens, narrow gateways and places where traditional access methods can be difficult.
But a truck mount offers something different.
Fast setup.
No trailer.
Good height.
Good outreach.
Potentially quicker movement between jobs.
For a one-man business, those things matter. Saving time on setup and pack-down can make a huge difference over a working week.
First Impressions of the Multitel MZ250
The Multitel MZ250 is a 25 metre truck mounted platform with roughly 12 metres of outreach, depending on basket load and working position.
That makes it very interesting for the kind of work I do: roof leak repair, chimney flaunching, chimney repointing, leadwork, gutter repairs, roof surveys and other awkward jobs where safe access is half the battle.
For many homeowners, the access method is something they never really think about until there is a problem. A leaking chimney, blocked gutter, damaged flashing or slipped roof tile might look simple from the ground, but getting to it safely is often the most important part of the job.
That is where cherry picker access for roofing and chimney work can be a big advantage.
Testing the Outreach
The first thing I wanted to understand was the reach.
For the type of work I do, reach is everything. It is not just about how high a machine goes. It is about whether it can reach the working area safely and efficiently.
With the tower boom raised and the telescopic boom extended, the Multitel MZ250 gives impressive outreach. You can boom over a roof, work beyond obstacles, and use the fly jib to position the basket more accurately.
That kind of setup is very useful for chimney work, lead flashing repairs and roof repairs where the work area is not directly above the machine.
For example, if you are dealing with a chimney leak, the fault may be around the flaunching, pointing, leadwork or general condition of the stack. You need to be able to inspect it properly before deciding what repairs are needed. That is exactly why access is so important for chimney maintenance and repair.
Up-and-Over Reach: Where This Machine Makes Sense
The MZ250 really starts to make sense when you use it for up-and-over work.
The tower boom can lift you up, the telescopic boom can reach out, and the fly jib allows you to drop down onto the work area. That gives you a very practical working position for roofs, chimneys and awkward high-level repairs.
This is where a truck mounted cherry picker can become very useful.
If you are working over a roof line, around a gable end, or trying to reach the rear side of a chimney stack, the geometry of the boom matters. A machine with the wrong boom configuration might technically have the height, but still not put you where you need to be.
That is something I always consider when planning roof repairs. The access method has to suit the actual job, not just look good on paper.
Understanding How the Machine Is Designed to Work
One thing that was not immediately obvious at first is that this machine is designed to work with the main tower boom fully raised.
Once you understand that, the machine starts to make more sense.
Instead of constantly bringing the entire boom structure up and down, you can leave the tower boom up and work from the secondary boom. That means you can lower the basket down for tools, materials or repositioning without completely resetting the machine every time.
That is a useful feature.
It does take a bit of getting used to, but once you understand the logic, it becomes quicker and more efficient.
Taking It Up to 25 Metres
Then came the fun bit.
Taking it all the way up to 25 metres.
I will be honest: at that height, especially on a grey, windy, damp day, you are very aware of where you are. There is always some movement in access equipment, and when you are high up, that movement feels more noticeable.
But once you settle into it and understand how the machine behaves, you start to trust it.
A 25 metre working height opens up jobs that would be difficult or impossible with a smaller machine. Tall buildings, commercial properties, larger chimney stacks and higher-level roof surveys all become more achievable.
For roof inspections, access is a major part of getting a proper view of the problem. Drone surveys are excellent in many cases, but sometimes you need physical access to test, inspect, clear, repair or photograph details properly. That is why I offer structured roof surveys and reports depending on what the property needs.
The Controls: Smooth, But Not Immediate
The controls on the Multitel MZ250 feel very different to my Platform Basket 1890 Pro.
My 1890 Pro has direct hydraulic controls. You move the levers, you feel the machine respond. It is a bit like driving an older vehicle where you feel everything happening.
The MZ250 feels more electronic.
There is a slight delay between input and movement. It is not necessarily bad, but it does take some getting used to. It feels smoother in some ways, but less immediate.
That matters when you are working close to a building, chimney, roofline or gutter. Fine control is important. You want the machine to feel predictable, especially when you are positioning the basket near tiles, brickwork, leadwork or fragile areas.
When a Big Machine Can Be Too Much
One of the most interesting observations from the test was that the MZ250 is not ideal for every job.
For low-level work, such as gutter cleaning at around five metres, the long boom geometry can actually make positioning more difficult.
That sounds strange, but it makes sense once you are in the basket.
If you park too close to the building, the boom can be too long to get you into the right position. You may need to park further away just to reach something that is relatively close.
For some gutter cleaning and gutter clearance jobs, a smaller spider lift or different access setup may be more practical.
This is why choosing the right access equipment is so important. Bigger is not always better. Sometimes the best machine is the one that gets you safely and efficiently to the exact place you need to work.
The Auto-Home Function
One feature I did like was the auto-home function.
With the twist of a control, the machine brings itself back down into its stowed position. It may not always be the fastest way down if you are an experienced operator, but when you are getting used to a machine, it is a very useful feature.
For a new operator, or someone moving from spider lifts to truck mounts, that sort of function can make the machine feel much more approachable.
It also adds a bit of reassurance when you are 25 metres in the air and the weather is doing its best impression of a miserable British weekend.
The Missing Cup Holder
Important technical note: this machine appears to lack a cup holder.
A serious design oversight, obviously.
In the video, I tested how smooth the machine was by leaving a drink in the basket while operating it. Very scientific. Possibly not something you will find in the manufacturer’s brochure.
To be fair, the machine was smooth. The drink survived. That is the sort of practical testing people need.
Watch that bit in the full video here: https://youtu.be/jqEeMXGaVgs
Roadside Setup and Outrigger Footprint
One of my favourite features on the Multitel MZ250 is the way the outriggers can be set differently on each side.
If you are working roadside, you can keep the outriggers tight on the road side and extend them fully on the working side. That gives you a smaller footprint and helps avoid sticking too far out into the road.
That is a big advantage for real-world high-access work.
A lot of roofing, chimney and gutter jobs are not carried out in perfect conditions with huge open driveways. You are often working near roads, parked cars, walls, fences, tight entrances and awkward domestic properties.
The fact that this machine can be set up quickly, auto-level itself and reduce its footprint in certain situations is a major plus.
Could This Replace My Spider Lift?
This is the big question.
Could the Multitel MZ250 replace my spider cherry picker?
For some jobs, yes, it could be brilliant.
It would probably handle a large percentage of the work I currently do. Roof repairs, chimney inspections, chimney flaunching, chimney repointing, gutter repairs and general high-access maintenance would all be possible in many situations.
The extra height would open up more opportunities, and the fast setup would save time.
But it also has limitations.
It will not get into the same tight access areas as my spider lift. It cannot go through narrow gateways, across gardens or into some of the awkward places I regularly work. It also has payload limitations because the truck is already close to its weight limit, so carrying tools and materials becomes more complicated.
That is the practical reality of running a one-man high-access business. A machine might be excellent, but it still has to fit the way the business actually works.
The Big Business Decision
The biggest issue for me is simple: I can only operate one machine at a time.
Buying a second machine means more cost, more maintenance, more insurance, more storage and more decisions about what to take to each job.
If I had the truck mount but still needed to carry tools and materials separately, I might need another vehicle. Or I would need to put a tow bar on the truck mount and tow a trailer, which takes away one of the main advantages of the truck mounted setup in the first place.
That does not mean the Multitel MZ250 is not a good machine.
Quite the opposite.
I was genuinely impressed. For the right business, the right operator and the right type of work, it could be a fantastic bit of kit.
For me, right now, it probably does not make sense to run it alongside my existing spider lift. But if circumstances were different, I would love to have one.
Final Thoughts
The Multitel MZ250 is a seriously capable 25 metre truck mounted cherry picker.
It has strong outreach, useful up-and-over capability, fast setup, clever outrigger options and a working height that would open up a lot of high-access jobs.
For roofing, chimney work, gutter cleaning, building maintenance and roof leak repair, it has obvious advantages.
But like every machine, it is not perfect for every situation. The key is understanding what the machine does well, where it has limitations, and whether it suits the actual work you do.
That is why I enjoy testing these machines properly. Not just looking at the spec sheet, but asking the real question:
Would this actually make my working life better?
In this case, the answer is: possibly, but not quite enough for me to buy one right now.
Still a very impressive machine though.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a truck mounted cherry picker good for roof repairs?
Yes, a truck mounted cherry picker can be excellent for many roof repairs, especially where there is good roadside or driveway access. It can provide quick setup, safe working at height and strong outreach for reaching rooflines, chimneys and leadwork. For more awkward properties, a spider lift may still be more practical.
Can a cherry picker be used for chimney repairs?
Yes, cherry picker access is often ideal for chimney repairs because it allows safe access to the chimney stack without always needing scaffolding. It can be used for chimney repointing, chimney flaunching, cowl installation, lead flashing inspection and general chimney repair work.
Is a truck mount better than a spider lift?
It depends on the job. A truck mount can be quicker to set up and very effective from roads or driveways, while a spider lift is usually better for tight access, gardens and awkward routes. For cherry picker access, the best machine depends on the property and the work required.
Can a cherry picker be used for gutter cleaning?
Yes, a cherry picker can be used for gutter cleaning and gutter repairs, but the type of machine matters. A large truck mount may be less convenient for low-level gutters if it is positioned too close to the building. For many domestic properties, guttering services need the right access method for the layout of the property.
What causes roof leaks around chimneys?
Roof leaks around chimneys are commonly caused by failed lead flashing, cracked flaunching, deteriorated pointing, porous brickwork or poor previous repairs. A proper inspection is important before carrying out roof repairs, because the visible leak inside the property is often only a symptom of the issue above.
Do I always need scaffolding for chimney or roof work?
No, scaffolding is not always required. In many cases, cherry picker access can be quicker, less disruptive and more suitable for targeted chimney repairs, roof leak investigations or gutter work. However, scaffolding may still be better for larger jobs where multiple trades, long working periods or heavy materials are involved.
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