Rent Light Towers to Keep Your Project Moving
Every project has a deadline — and deadlines can be hard to keep as the days get shorter. Light tower rentals can help you stay on track by allowing your crew to work if necessary.
Here’s what you need to know about tower light rental.
How to choose a light tower
Keep these features in mind when it’s time to rent a light tower:
Power source
There are a few different types of light towers, including internal combustion engine-powered towers (compact standard-duty, compact heavy-duty, industrial heavy-duty), battery-powered, solar-powered units and portable light tower carts.
The type of power source will determine how long the lighting will last before it needs to be refueled or recharged. Do you need to work an hour past dusk or all the way through the night? Work with your local rental store to find the type of power that best fits your project.
Mast height and light wattage
Next, pay attention to the tower’s mast height and the power of its lights. These two specifications are essential in determining how many towers are needed to light the space — and they’re reliant on one another. If using a shorter tower, you’ll need more wattage and if you’re using a taller tower, you can get away with less.
Generally speaking, cart-like or compact standard-duty models are best for smaller indoor construction projects and taller, more heavy-duty units that can stand up to the environment are better for outdoor projects.
How to operate a light tower
Just like the different types of towers, the operational aspects also differ. There are both manual and hydraulic masts. Manual masts are raised by winding a handle, then locking the mast into place, while hydraulic masts are automatic. Both types are made as simple as possible to ensure easy setup and teardown. Refer to the product manual for instructions specific to the brand and model.
Here are the main steps to follow when setting up your light tower.
- Place it in the desired area on the jobsite.
- Make sure there are no hazards above the tower.
- Allow ample space around the tower for proper outrigger setup.
- Level the tower.
- Set up the outriggers.
- Adjust and position the lights as needed.
- Raise the mast.
- Make sure all switches are off.
- Start the engine.
- Turn on the lights after the engine has run for a few minutes.
One of the biggest mistakes made when operating a light tower is not giving the machine enough time to warm up or cool down. You can prolong the life of the machine by giving it time to run before turning on the lights and time for it to cool completely before transport back to the rental facility.
Talk to your local rental store to get their recommendations as you look to rent a light tower, as well. Search for “light tower rentals near me” using the store locator above to find the store nearest you or to locate available units in stock.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are light towers also generators?
Light towers have their own generator, yes. They don’t require connection to a separate power source as they can offer light independently. This feature makes it much easier to set up a light tower wherever you need it on your jobsite. Some rental stores carry dual units, as well. These light towers supply a limited amount of kW of power to run hand tools and other low-wattage devices alongside lighting up the jobsite.
How much area does a light tower cover?
Depending on the tower, up to 7 acres. Light is measured in the amount emitted regardless of the direction, though, so one light tower will not illuminate 7 acres of a jobsite. For a football field, for example, four or more light towers are ideal to allow players enough light to see where they’re going. For more information, consult the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lighting standards at osha.gov.
Do light towers need to be grounded?
Yes, any power-generating machine should be grounded. The frame and exposed metal should be connected to proper grounding equipment. Towable light tower units are often already equipped with self-grounding equipment.