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Which access tower will best suit your purpose?

Advice on how to choose access towers

Author: Dee Jones/09 July 2026/Categories: PRODUCT GUIDANCE, Height access

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You may often hear discussions about access tower vs scaffold tower. In essence they are both very similar, but generally it is worth noting that scaffold towers are usually larger and more bespoke structures built by trained scaffolders, rather than access towers which are much smaller and mobile lightweight platforms used by construction and maintenance workers. However, it is common for both terms to be used to describe industrial towers, so exactly where that cross over takes place, nobody seems to be totally sure! For the benefit of doubt I think we should allow some latitude when people call them one or the other.

Action Handling Equipment supply the access type of towers and we have over 55 years of experience in providing our customers with the most suitable type of tower. Access towers are designed for quick low-level tasks to be used in the short term by one or two workers only. They are best suited for indoor or sporadic outdoor work, but certainly not to be left anywhere as a semi/permanent fixture.

The benefits of an access tower are:

  • Lightweight to use.
  • Easily mobile from points of use.
  • Easy to erect and dismantle.
  • Easy to store away.
  • Easy to transport by van or even a car for smaller models.
  • Good level of safety if used by trained personnel.
  • Will last very well if looked after by operatives.
  • Comparatively cheap as a means of intermittent access.
access tower
access tower
access tower

Access towers come in many shapes, styles and sizes, with individual design features that will allow height access to different situations for specific work tasks. We always advise talking to a sales expert who will ensure that you purchase the correct item of equipment for your task. 

The difference between 3T and AGR towers:
3T towers have a ‘Through the Trap Door’ design which means that the operator sits on the platform trap door to either add or remove the guardrails above when installing or dismantling the tower. This enables a safe method of building the required height of the tower as the assembler can then stand on the platform to continue building/dismantling the next level after the guardrails are installed.

AGR towers have an ‘Advanced Guard Rail’ design which means that the operator can assemble/dismantle the guardrails on the next level above the one on which they are standing. We use the ‘integral’ system where the AGR forms part of the main tower structure which remains in place until the tower is completely dismantled.

The most common types of access towers available:
Alloy Mobile Towers

aluminium access tower

The most popular type are aluminium lightweight towers, available in either single (restricted space use) or double width size (2 persons) models. They are fitted with a mobile castor base and safety outrigged stabilisers where appropriate.

Folding Access Towers

access tower
access tower
access tower

This is a compact, single person tower that has a folding base frame design. They are very easy to erect and move through standard doorways or to transport by a van or estate car. 

Telescopic Folding Towers

telescopic folding tower
telescopic folding tower

Designed to be a fast erecting/dismantling lightweight aluminium tower. It can be adjusted to different heights without the use of extensive fittings or heavy tools. Easy to move and transport from point to point.

Low-Level Access Platform Towers (Podiums)

access tower
access tower
low level access tower

Podiums represent the modern solution for safe working at height, offering significant advantages over conventional access equipment due to their ease of use, lightweight design and stable safety features.

If you are considering a means of gaining access to height for your business, then please contact an experienced team who will be happy to help you find the right solution for your site and be pleased to discuss solutions for commercial, industrial, retail and leisure applications.

 

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