Introduction: The Real Price of Winter Work

Working through winter isn’t just challenging—it’s expensive. Low temperatures cause frequent machine failures, extend project timelines, raise energy usage, and lead to costly accidents. For project managers focused on keeping costs under control, these hidden problems can easily throw budgets off track.

Ant Aerial Work Platforms has released a new winter operation guide that shows construction teams how to minimize downtime, lower repair costs, and boost site safety—all while maintaining productivity through the coldest months.

Cutting Maintenance Costs: Built to Last Through Winter

Typical aerial lifts need extra attention in cold weather—frozen hydraulic hoses, cracked metal, and drained batteries are common issues. Ant’s upgraded winter design reduces those expenses by around 30%, thanks to its anti-freeze hydraulic systems, reinforced cold-resistant steel, and long-life batteries that handle sub-zero temperatures with ease.

The guide even includes a practical calculator so fleet managers can estimate cost savings. For instance, a company operating ten wheeled scissor lifts reported saving more than $15,000 each winter after adopting Ant’s equipment and following the suggested maintenance plan. It also highlights how focusing on key checks—like hydraulic oil condition and battery care—can prevent most seasonal breakdowns before they start.

Reducing Downtime: Keeping Work on Schedule

Idle equipment is one of the biggest cost drivers during winter—each hour of downtime can drain hundreds of dollars from a project budget. Ant’s guide pinpoints the top causes of these delays, including frozen hydraulic systems, battery failure, and ice-related slips.

Ant’s cold-tolerant batteries cut battery downtime by about 70%, and its advanced hydraulic systems eliminate long warm-up periods. A logistics center in Quebec reduced its weekly downtime from eight hours to just two by following these strategies—saving roughly $6,000 a month.

For outdoor projects, Ant truck-mounted aerial platforms are especially useful, providing high mobility and strong performance in sub-zero temperatures so crews can stay efficient even during snow season.

Avoiding Accident Costs: Safety That Protects Your Budget

Winter-related slip accidents can be devastating—each one may cost around $50,000 in medical bills, legal fees, and lost work time. Ant’s scissor lifts are designed with anti-slip decks and ice-adaptive traction systems that lower the risk of such incidents by up to 80%. The guide also outlines simple preventive steps, such as checking ground conditions and assigning a spotter during icy operations.

A construction company in Colorado reported avoiding a six-figure lawsuit after using tracked scissor lifts and applying Ant’s safety recommendations—the lift’s stable platform and anti-slip surface prevented what could have been a serious accident.

Safety measures don’t just protect people—they protect your bottom line.

Long-Term Value: Extending the Life of Your Equipment

Cold weather wears machines down faster, cutting their lifespan by several years. Ant’s cold-resistant aerial platforms are designed to last up to five years longer, thanks to corrosion-proof materials, durable hydraulic components, and built-in battery protection systems.

The guide also recommends long-term practices—like storing equipment in warm facilities and removing road salt after each use—to further extend lifespan. A city fleet in Massachusetts found that switching to Ant aluminum alloy vertical lifting platforms and scissor lifts helped them save roughly $75,000 over five years by reducing replacement frequency. 

Conclusion: Smarter Winter Work with Ant

Winter construction doesn’t have to mean higher costs. With Ant Aerial Work Platform ’ winter operation guide, managers can learn how to control maintenance expenses, cut downtime, and extend the lifespan of their lifts—all while improving site safety.

Ant’s scissor lifts and truck-mounted aerial platforms are built to perform even in harsh winter conditions, giving you a real advantage when temperatures drop.

You can download the guide today or contact Ant’s sales team to discuss winter equipment solutions that keep your projects efficient, safe, and cost-effective all season long.