This is the Dewalt Lift Pod.
It’s not a ladder.
The Dewalt Lift Pod is being made in collaboration with JLG Industries. It lifts users off the ground by around 4 feet, give them a working height and reach of about 10 feet.
Why? Because there are a lot of commercial applications where ladders are discouraged or outright prohibited from being used.
When demoed at the Dewalt Black & Yellow event, it was emphasized that the Lift Pod was designed to resist tipping over.
When trying it out, there was a bit of wiggle. I was told there’s built-in damping, designed to help reduce tip-over risks.
Users can work overhead with both hands. That’s important, because ladders require 3 points of contact, typically both feet and one hand when at the working height.
You can also turn around, something you definitely shouldn’t do while on a ladder.
There’s a tray to hold smaller tools or parts.
Users don’t need to be tied off with a safety harness or other fall arrest system.
Spring-loaded doors allow for easy entry and also serves as a guardrail, helping to prevent users from falling out at height.
You can wheel it around. Climb aboard, and the outrigger legs grip the floor.
Doorway? Storage? The Dewalt Lift Pod folds up.
You can’t pick it up. You can’t carry it upstairs. For work where a ladder is permitted? Maybe go with a ladder.
As I said, the Lift Pod is not a ladder. It’s not intended for use where ladders can go, it’s meant for environments where ladders cannot be used.
And, because it’s unpowered, there are no engines, power cords, or batteries to mess around with.
I climbed aboard at a recent Dewalt new tools event. The Lift Pod felt a lot easier than a ladder for installation tasks where you need both hands to be free, and might need to twist around.
We showed some of our coverage on social media, and wow the responses were critical. I think that most people don’t realize that ladders are banned or restricted at a lot of commercial jobsites, due to fall risks and liabilities.
I see this as a potential alternative to rolling scaffold or compact lift systems, for when working within a max reach of about 10 feet.
