Top-rated aerial lifts for arborist work are a significant investment for tree care companies. Studying what other businesses are doing is essential to understanding where the industry is heading and informing your decision-making when deciding which assets to source and where to purchase them.
Learn about the prevailing trends shaping the tree care industry’s future and what to look for in a supplier to maximize your capital when adding to your heavy equipment fleet in 2026 and beyond.
Aerial Lift Market Trends to Watch Out for in 2026
Expert Market Research/Claight Corp. predicts the global aerial work platform market to expand from $13.34 billion in 2024 to $23.89 billion in 2034, growing at a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period.
Increasing public infrastructure development and reconstruction activities are primarily fueling this growth. The consultancy firm expects boom lifts to become more popular over the long term, mainly due to their speed of service and adaptability. These machines appeal to companies seeking all-terrain aerial lifts for tree maintenance and other applications.
Infinity Market Research’s study on the spider lift market supports this observation. Many businesses are prioritizing versatility and efficiency, recognizing the multifunctionality of lifts usually associated with specific tasks in certain environments. Equipment traditionally used in facility upkeep may now feature models that also fit arborist work.
Lift inspection and repairs continue to be a concern. Assets with specialized design and advanced technology require regular maintenance to ensure efficiency and safety. The costs of performing vital tasks can be high, especially when the sites are remote. Working with suppliers that can transport spare parts and send technicians to less accessible areas can help reduce downtime.
Factors to Consider When Comparing Tracked Lifts for Tree Care and Suppliers
Evaluate aerial lifts and their sellers based on these criteria:
- Equipment capabilities: Note a lift’s reach, weight capacity and safety features to determine if it satisfies job requirements.
- Power source: Check whether a lift runs on diesel, gasoline, electricity or a combination of these to determine if it can handle your projects and how easily it can be powered.
- Terrain maneuverability: Look for models optimized for movement on the specific terrain you typically encounter.
- Compliance: Ensure the equipment conforms to the applicable design and construction requirements specified in ANSI A92.2-1969 and other guidelines mentioned in the OSHA standard 1926.453.
- Customizability: Find out what standard features can be modified and the available upgrades to gain your desired lift functionalities.
- Pricing: Request estimates to know whether the prices of prospective lift designs are reasonable and within your budget.
- Financing: Consider a supplier that offers in-house or third-party credit to procure new assets without depleting company resources.
- After-sales support: Choose a vendor with service locations near you to simplify scheduled equipment inspections and repairs for structural, hydraulic and electrical issues.
3 Leading Sources of Top-Rated Aerial Lifts for Arborist Work
Consider these trusted suppliers when acquiring reliable tracked lifts for tree care.
1. Tracked Lifts — Best Overall Aerial Lifts for Abortists
Tracked Lifts is the exclusive distributor of Platform Basket’s and OMMELIFT’s spider lifts in the United States. It’s best for tree care companies that regularly manage a large volume of residential projects where narrow access is vital. It’s also ideal for operations that require all-terrain aerial lifts for tree maintenance and assets with multi height capabilities.
This supplier sells spider lifts that operate on gas, diesel, full electricity or hybrid fuel sources with lithium-ion batteries. It offers various financing options and has a network of over 125 authorized service providers nationwide.
2. CMC North America — Best in Reach
CMC North America is the fastest-growing distributor of aerial lifts in North America. Its Arbor Pro® series is ideal for urban arborists that provide tree care to homeowners in high-end neighborhoods and municipal town forestry or arboriculture departments.
The company offers high-reach aerial platforms for commercial arborists that can extend up to 100 feet vertically and over 50 feet laterally. It has dealers in at least 25 U.S. states to better serve local customers.
3.   Altec — Best in Product Variety
Altec has been manufacturing some of the best aerial lifts for tree trimming since 1929. The company sells its own tree care equipment directly and offers an extensive array of wheeled and tracked assets. It offers a large inventory of new and used lifts, providing options at more price points.
This manufacturer has service centers across the U.S. and Canada. It offers technical support over the phone and mobile field service, albeit with limited availability for models less than 25 years old.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to the most common questions about tracked lifts for tree care.
What Reach Is Needed for Effective Tree Maintenance?
Wheeled and tracked lifts with working heights exceeding 72 feet and outreaches of up to 34 feet are good enough for most tree care tasks. For significantly taller trees, many commercial arborists use high-reach aerial platforms that can extend vertically up to 90 feet and horizontally up to 49 feet.
How Do Tracked Lifts Improve Arborist Safety?
Tracked lifts promote arborist safety by eliminating the need to climb trees — a hazardous endeavor even with ropes and saddles.
These machines provide a secure and stable platform to safely access and work on trees, especially dead, diseased and storm-damaged ones, on varied terrain. This reduces the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders and experiencing fatigue.
What Safety Features Are Essential for Tree Service Aerial Lifts?
The most common safety features found in the best aerial lifts for tree trimming include secure guardrails and access gates, tilt alarms, functional warning lights and emergency stop buttons, fall-arrest systems and outriggers.
Dielectrically insulated models protect operators from live power lines, while those with enclosed baskets safeguard against falling debris.
How Do Tracked Lifts Compare to Traditional Bucket Trucks?
Tracked lifts need another vehicle like a flatbed trailer to reach sites. They suit uneven and sloped ground, lock into place, minimize damage to delicate surfaces, and are operable by a single person.
Traditional bucket trucks are self-contained and street-legal, making them ideal for use on paved roads. However, they are heavy enough to damage fragile surfaces and unstable on uneven, rugged terrain due to their higher centers of gravity.
How Do Tracked Lifts Perform on Sloped Terrain?
These aerial lifts perform well on sloped terrain. Their continuous tracks provide excellent traction and low ground pressure, allowing them to navigate soft ground, inclines and declines, and challenging surfaces with ease. Models with outriggers can maintain stability and balance on steeper slopes.
What Are the Best Aerial Lifts for Tree Care Professionals?
Articulating and telescopic boom lifts are the most useful for tree care professionals. The former makes it easy to reach less accessible spots, while the latter extends to greater heights.
Which Aerial Lift Brands Specialize in Tree Care Equipment?
Platform Basket, OMMELIFT, CMC and Altec are the most trusted brands that manufacture top-rated aerial lifts for arborist work.
How Much Does a Professional Arborist Lift Cost?
Arborist lifts can cost anywhere from five to six figures, depending on whether they’re brand-new or used and the level of their advanced features. However, the price tags of many aerial lifts, including those on the secondhand market, are unadvertised. Therefore, determining a reliable price range industrywide can be challenging.
What Training Is Required for Aerial Lift Operation in Tree Care?
Aerial lift operators need to be OSHA-certified and must undergo training that meets the federal agency’s requirements.
What Is the ROI Timeline for Professional Aerial Lift Equipment?
ROI timelines can span several years and vary depending on the type of equipment. Assets with higher price tags, operating costs and maintenance expenses take more time to pay for themselves.
High utilization accelerates the return on investment. Efficient machines waste less energy, while versatile ones enable you to handle a broader range of projects. Downtime reduction should also be part of the equation.
Regarding resale value, note a lift’s expected service life. Then, research how much buyers are willing to pay for similar assets as they age to gauge their appreciation/depreciation rates and fair market value.
Procure All-Terrain Aerial Lifts for Tree Maintenance Confidently in 2026
Updating your tree care fleet involves considerable capital, so approach with circumspection. Use the information from this guide to acquire additional assets prudently and minimize risks.