Why Inclined Hoists beat other ways of lifting roofing materials to height

When it comes to lifting roofing materials to height, safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness all matter. There are several ways to move materials vertically (including stair towers, telehandlers, cranes, pulleys, scissor lifts, and Bumpa hoists). One option often stands out as the most practical: the inclined hoist.

Here, we explore the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

Stair towers: flexible working spaces needing manual handling of materials

Whilst stair (HAKI) towers offer a safe, stable, and spacious working platform for projects at height, transporting materials up and between the platforms relies on people manually carrying these, risking strains, falls and dropped loads.  Set up can also be costly as specific training (such as a PASMA Towers for Users course) is required to ensure safe assembly and use on sites.

• Pros: Stair (HAKI) towers offer a stable and comfortable working space at different heights. They can also accommodate materials and multiple users on the platforms (within safe working load limits).
• Cons: As stair towers need a wide base for stability, they may not be suitable for very tight or confined spaces where an inclined hoist would fit. They also require a trained installer to set up and move.

Why an Inclined Hoist is better than a stair tower

An inclined hoist eliminates the need for manual lifting, reducing the risk of accidents. As hoists move goods at speed, this enhances productivity by allowing workers to focus on skilled tasks, rather than manually handling heavy and uneven loads.  They can also be set up and used by anyone, supported by onsite familiarisation guidance, relocated around the site quickly and easily and are ideal for restricted spaces.

Telehandlers: versatile option but needs a fully trained operator

A telehandler is a versatile site machine that combines the benefits of a forklift, crane, and work platform in one. They are commonly used on commercial building sites for lifting and transporting pallets of bricks, bundles of timber, or bags of cement, often operating across rough, uneven and muddy ground.

• Pros: With their telescopic boom, telehandlers can place loads exactly where they’re needed, even in hard-to-reach places and at heights. A wide range of attachments can be fitted to a telehandler, allowing it to handle different tasks such as carrying skips, or pallets of bricks with ease.
• Cons: Telehandlers are expensive to hire and can only be operated by a fully trained user. Their size and turning radius make them less ideal for use in tight or confined spaces. And when the boom is extended to height with a heavy load, telehandlers can become unstable, increasing the risk of tipping over.

Why an Inclined Hoist is better than a telehandler

An inclined hoist delivers specialist, safe and versatile lifting efficiency to a working height of up to 24m at a cost-effective price. They are easy to operate and require no specialist skills, only basic awareness training. Inclined hoists are also highly manoeuvrable and mobile, making them a more suitable solution for tight sites.

Scissor lifts: effective but expensive

A scissor lift is a platform used to raise people, tools, or materials vertically to a desired height. It features a criss-crossing “scissor” design that uses hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric power to push the load upwards. Scissor lifts provide a stable, powered platform that is excellent for positioning workers at height, but they are not designed for bulk material movement.

• Pros: Scissor lifts provide a stable and level working platform, lowering the risk of falls or instability. They are faster and less labour-intensive than manual or ladder-based methods.
• Cons: Scissor lifts often have a higher rental cost compared to inclined hoists. They also have limited weight capacity; they aren’t designed for moving materials and they need level ground to operate.

Why an Inclined Hoist is better than a scissor lift

An inclined hoist delivers similar lifting efficiency at a fraction of the cost. It has faster setup, more straightforward operation, and is specifically designed to move materials up and back from roofs at heights of up to 24m. They are also highly manoeuvrable and mobile, making an inclined hoist a more suitable solution for tight sites as well as uneven ground.

Pulleys: simple but labour-intensive

A rope and pulley system is a manual lifting mechanism used to raise or lower materials by hand. They use one or more pulleys (wheels with grooved rims) and a rope or line. Many modern pulley systems feature an integrated braking system, ensuring the load is lowered at a safe and controllable speed. It’s a simple yet effective way to gain mechanical advantage, allowing you to lift heavier loads with less physical effort.

• Pros: Pulley systems are cheap, portable, and require no electrical or hydraulic energy source. They are suitable for light, short-term lifting.
• Cons: Although pulleys distribute load efficiently, they still have inherent limitations on their maximum weight capacity and can also be impacted by conditions such as heavy wind. Exceeding these limits can lead to belt slippage, rope failure, or structural damage, requiring careful load calculations.

Why an Inclined Hoist is better than a pulley

The hydraulic lifting mechanisms in inclined hoists use fluid pressure which enables them to lift very heavy weights. This type of powered lifting ensures consistent speed, reliable braking, and controlled delivery, all without risking strain or dropped materials. Pulleys rely on mechanical advantage to facilitate movement, with more chance of user error and weight limits.

Bumpa hoists: fast but limited

A Bumpa hoist is a portable, conveyor-style lifting machine designed for quickly and safely moving roofing materials from ground level to roof height. It consists of a motorised conveyor belt set on an adjustable inclined frame, often around 8–10 metres long. It works like an escalator for building supplies – continuously feeding materials upward.

• Pros: Quick for repetitive lifting, but not suitable for moving people.
• Cons: A Bumpa hoist is noisy, limited to light roofing materials, and, at 8-10 metres long, offers little height or angle adjustment. It therefore lacks the control and versatility necessary for various lifting tasks.

Why an Inclined Hoist is better than a Bumpa hoist

Inclined hoists handle a wider range of materials with quieter, smoother movement, flexible speed options and heights of up to 24m  With a range of baskets available inclined hoists can support the movement of a variety of materials from rolls of membrane and gas cylinders to solar panels, as well as the removal of debris from roof areas.

Cranes: powerful but overkill

Cranes are large, mechanical lifting systems designed to move very heavy materials both vertically and horizontally across a site. Cranes use hoists, wire ropes, and sheaves powered by hydraulic or electric systems, and are commonly on major construction projects where height, reach, and lifting capacity are critical. They come in several forms, including tower cranes, mobile cranes, and lorry-mounted cranes, each suited to specific environments and load types.

• Pros: Exceptional lift capacity and reach.
• Cons: Very expensive, complex setup, and requires a large working area.

Why an Inclined Hoist is better than a crane

While cranes are perfect for heavy or high-rise lifting, they can be impractical or excessive for smaller building or roofing projects. An inclined hoist offers crane-like convenience for everyday jobs, without the logistical and financial worries. It’s the perfect middle ground for mid-scale projects.

Inclined Hoists for flat roofing: safe, efficient, and cost-effective

Now that we’ve looked at the options, here’s what makes inclined hoists the best solution for flat roofing jobs:

• Safe: Eliminates manual handling and reduces the risk of falls.
• Efficient: Moves materials quickly and efficiently..
• Affordable: Lower hire and running costs than most powered options.
• Flexible: Works on tight, uneven, or restricted sites.
• Easy: Quick setup, simple controls, and minimal maintenance.

For both new and refurbishment roofing work, as well as for other at height projects such as solar panel installation, an inclined hoist offers the best balance of speed, safety, and savings. In addition to providing fast, repeatable operation on busy sites, inclined hoists are also available in both hydraulic and electric versions, offering a safe and low-noise option for residential areas.

Ready to lift smarter?

If you’re still using manual methods or costly machinery to move materials to height, it’s time to rethink your approach.

Contact us today to discuss how hiring an inclined hoist from our extensive range of Böcker Junior, Simply and Ladder/Toplift hoists can help your project be more efficient. Call our expert team on 0161 777 7554 or email sales@lancastria.com. We’ll be happy to help.

Summary table

Feature	Stair Towers	Telehandler	Scissor Lifts	Pulley Systems	Bumpa Hoists	Cranes	Inclined Hoists
Primary Use	Access for people, and as working platforms at height	Moving materials around construction sites and to height	Lifting workers and light materials vertically	Manual lifting of light loads	Fast tile and roofing material lifting	Heavy structural lifting on large sites	Powered lifting of varied materials to height
Operation Type	Manual climbing	Motorised with different attachment options	Hydraulic or electric platform	Manual with rope and pulleys	Motorised conveyor belt	Hydraulic or electric hoist and boom	Motorised carriage or platform on an angled track
Capacity	Limited to what a person can carry	Heavy loads	Medium loads	Light loads only	Light to medium roofing loads	Weighty loads (tonnes)	Medium-weight loads – ideal for roofing and building work
Speed & Efficiency	Take time and expertise to build. Manual material lifting	Can handle variety of lifting tasks efficiently	Controlled but slower setup	Slow – depends on operator strength	Fast for repetitive tile lifts	High lift capacity but slow setup	Fast, continuous, efficient material movement
Safety	Safe access for personnel, requires flat ground	Can tip if overloaded or with unstable loads	Safe for personnel, requires flat ground	Relies on user control – higher risk	Safer than ladders, but with limited safeguards	Requires expert setup and certified operators	Enclosed lift path, braking systems, and no manual handling
Setup & Space	Requires expert setup from qualified installers	Large machinery, requires space to turn and operate	Needs a flat, open area	Simple setup	Quick assembly, fixed length	Complex, space-intensive setup	Quick installation, compact footprint, easy to move
Control & Precision	Static for manual carrying	High precision with skilled operator	Precise height control	Limited braking or stop/start control	Basic control, limited precision	High precision with skilled operators	Smooth variable speed and precise stop/start
Power Source	None	Petrol or diesel	Electric or hydraulic	None	Petrol or electric motor	Hydraulic, electric, or diesel	Electric or petrol – low energy use
Cost & Operation	Expensive to buy and hire, need a qualified installer	Expensive to buy and hire, need a trained operator	Expensive hire and operation	Very cheap but labour-heavy	Moderate cost, limited flexibility	Costly hire, insurance, and permits	Affordable to hire, low running costs
Versatility	Highly flexible stair access configurations	Different boom attachments for various tasks	Best for personnel access	Short-term manual lifts	Roofing-focused	Large-scale structural projects	Multi-purpose – roofing and construction materials, solar panels etc
Ideal Job Type	Safe access and as working platforms	Construction sites	Maintenance and indoor work	Light, occasional lifting	Roofing tile installation	High-rise or heavy construction	Flat roofing, renovations, general construction lifting