How to Drive and Operate a Spider 1890 Pro Cherry Picker – Full Demonstration

Operating a cherry picker can look intimidating at first glance, but with the right training, proper safety equipment, and a little know-how, it becomes second nature. In this blog, I’ll walk you through a full demonstration of how to drive, set up, and operate my Spider 1890 Pro Platform Basket Cherry Picker. ⚠️ Important Note: This is not a training guide. You must be IPAF-certified to legally and safely operate a cherry picker. This demonstration is designed to give you an inside look at how it works, the safety checks involved, and why this machine is such a versatile tool for high-access jobs.

Firing Up the Cherry Picker

The first step is getting the cherry picker off the trailer and powering up the diesel engine.

Turn the key and wait for the onboard computer to boot up — you’ll hear a beep when it’s ready.
If the engine is cold, warm up the glow plugs (just like you would with a diesel car).
Once warm, turn the key again and the machine roars to life.

From here, the remote control becomes your best friend. The handset controls all the movement when tracking the machine across a site.

Tracking the Machine

On the remote:

Two main levers in the middle of the controller, below the picture of the cherrypicker the tracks, push them in the direction you want to move.
To turn, adjust the levers slightly in opposite directions.
Pro tip: Never lock the levers hard to spin the machine on the spot, you risk throwing a track off or damaging delicate ground.
Use the fast/slow mode button: fast for straight-line movement, slow for careful manoeuvring.
Outrigger leavers are located on the handset either side of the tracking leavers, allowing quick setup once you’re in position.

One of the biggest advantages of the Spider 1890 Pro is its ability to narrow the tracks. With this adjustment, the machine lowers itself and can squeeze through spaces as narrow as 800mm — perfect for tight garden gates or side access points.

Outriggers and Self-Levelling

Static boom Cherry pickers cannot be safely operated without their outriggers in place. These stabilising legs spread the load of the machine and keep the machine level and stable.

Always position spreader pads beneath the outriggers.
Never set up over drains, manholes, or soft ground. If the ground gives way, the whole machine can topple.
The 1890 Pro has a clever self-levelling feature — hold down the "hare" (rabbit) button and the power button together, and the machine automatically levels itself.

This feature saves time and ensures a stable, safe working platform every time.

Safety Gear and Setup

Before climbing into the basket, it’s essential to be properly equipped:

Steel toe-cap boots: Protect your feet from dropped tools and equipment.
High-visibility clothing: Makes you visible on busy sites.
Harness and lanyard: Essential for working at height, preventing falls or accidents.

I show in the video exactly how to put on a harness correctly — it should fit snugly and comfortably, with the lanyard clipped securely.

Operating from the Basket

Inside the basket are six levers that control the booms and jib movements:

Fly Jib Control – moves the smaller arm at the end of the boom.
Main Boom – the primary lift from the base of the machine.
Telescopic Boom – extends and retracts the platform basket boom. 4–6. Additional levers allow fine adjustments, giving you precise control.

By combining these controls, you can:

Lift vertically,
Reach horizontally (up to 9 metres on this model),
Manoeuvre over ridges and awkward access points,
Rotate the basket for safe working angles.

Why the Platform Basket Spider 1890 Pro is So Versatile

This cherry picker isn’t just powerful, it’s incredibly flexible:

Compact enough to fit through narrow gaps.
Lightweight and track-mounted for working on delicate surfaces like grass or patios.
Equipped with a fly jib and rotating basket for awkward access.
Dual power source (diesel + electric) for indoor or outdoor work.

It’s the machine that makes so many of my roofing, chimney, and guttering jobs safer, faster, and more efficient.

Watch the Full Demonstration

Want to see the Spider 1890 Pro in action? 🎥 👉 Watch the full video on YouTube and see exactly how I set up, level, and operate this machine step by step.

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