What Scissor Lift do you need for your Project?!

There are several types of scissor lifts available: varying in size, application, and fuel type. Before hiring a scissor lift, it’s important to understand which type will suit your construction site best.

The 5 Types of Scissor Lifts

There are five types of Scissor Lifts to choose from, with most of them being able to reach up to 18 meters high whilst holding the weight of up to 4 workers and their equipment. These include:

Hydraulic Scissor Lifts

Hydraulic Scissor Lifts are powered by either an electric motor or compressed air and can be used both inside and outside. The hydraulic oil is pushed or drained from cylinder to cylinder, which allows the platform to raise or drop as needed. The hydraulic scissor lift is a simple option when you have lifting needs as it is relatively easy to operate and doesn’t require much training. These are often used for operation in warehouses, on construction sites, and for infrastructure projects.

Diesel Scissor Lifts

Being among the most commonly used lifts on construction sites, diesel scissor lifts are powered by traditional diesel fuel. These machines are best used outdoors as they are noisy and emit fumes into the environment. They have a signature cross-braced system, and they usually come with large platforms.

Electric Scissor Lifts

Also popular in the aerial construction world, the electric Scissor Lifts feature a silent, electric-powered drive mechanism. These machines provide a clean solution for working indoors, and are perfect for smaller spaces.

Rough Terrain Scissor Lifts

Designed exclusively for outdoor terrain, rough terrain Scissor Lifts come equipped with a high weight capacity, heavy duty tires, and additional safety mechanisms like fall restraints and arrestors. This makes them ideal for work sites based in extreme areas, and for sloping and uneven surfaces. Rough Terrain Scissor Lifts are powered by diesel, gas, liquid propane, or dual fuel.

Pneumatic Scissor Lifts

Pneumatic Scissor Lifts use air pressure to raise or lower the lift, making them ideal for operations that want to be environmentally friendly and reduce their carbon footprint. These machines are incredibly clean and relatively maintenance-free, built to handle goods and move products without the risk of damage. Since these Scissor Lifts require only air, they can be integrated into a wide variety of working environments including manufacturing, processing or warehouse locations.

Factors to consider when choosing a Scissor Lift

When choosing a Scissor Lift, you need to consider the nature of your job and worksite. This will help you determine exactly what you need in a lift – how high you need to go, whether you need an electric or diesel model, and whether you need a four wheel drive lift. Think about your projects needs whilst considering these factors below.

Platform Height

It is very important to consider what height you need when choosing a unit to hire. There is a variety of heights to choose from to find one that offers you the right amount of reach. As there is often more than one option that would work for your height requirements, consider other factors to further narrow your choices.

When calculating how high a Scissor Lift can go, like most but not everyone we are referring to the height of the platform itself. Take note that you get nearly another 2 meters when you consider the height of the worker, this is called the working height.

6 Meter Scissor Lifts work well in tight spaces and are great for operators who need to access ceilings and ductwork. However, compared to larger scissor lift sizes these 6 meter lifts offer limited flexibility.

8 Meter Scissor Lifts offer a maximum reach of around 10 meters, and are often used by window-washes and others who perform building or maintenance work at heights.

10 Meter Scissor Lifts are ideal for electricians who perform powerline repairs or replacements.

13 Meter Scissor Lifts are a great choice for workers who need to perform maintenance work on skyscrapers or other tall buildings.

15 Meter Scissor Lifts are a great option if you need maximum height to perform work up on the fifth story of a building or at a very tall treetop.

Platform Size

Platform size is another important aspect to consider, as it can make a big difference in efficiency and safety on the jobsite. Wider platforms offer better access and require less repositioning time as job progresses, but you need to make sure the load will fit in the available space.

Although Scissor Lifts come in standard sizes, you do have the option of extending the platform to get at least an additional half meter, up to a 2 meter possible extending in some extreme situations. However, the center of gravity changes when you extend the platform size, which affects the overall performance of the lift. If you do extend the platform size, make sure you take in account lift calculations as an unbalanced load could cause issues.

Environment

Consider your job and its work environment. Where you will be working determines whether you need a 4 wheel drive model to navigate rough terrain, an emission-free electric lift for indoor jobs, or a narrow lift to access hard-to-reach spaces on crowded worksites.

Job Type

Knowing the specific tasks your lift will be required to do and its load will help you to find the right Scissor Lift for your job. For example, you may need a higher scissor lift if you need to fix something from above and you may require a narrower or smaller scissor lift if you need to navigate through tight spaces. Consider the load stability, the equipment included, and the loads center of gravity before hiring a scissor lift.

Load Capacity

Consider the load you need to lift; this includes both workers and equipment. Guessing the load capacity when hiring could lead to project delays if you end up needing a more powerful scissor lift while working.

If you need multiple workers on the platform to perform your task or if you need to lift heavier materials, choose a lift with an elevating work platform offering significant space and maximum stability.

Which Scissor Lift should you hire?

Our team at Pronto Hire can provide expert advice to ensure you hire the scissor lift that best suits your job needs. Discuss your requirements on 0800 PRONTO (77 66 86) and we will guide you through our range to help you determine the best solution for your specific job.