Scissor lifts are among the safest and most versatile types of lift. They can get you and your equipment high up in the air. The “scissor” in scissor lift refers to the way the beams fold together to collapse and lower the lift or extend and raise the lift. You’ve likely seen them at work in many places. They are used in warehouses, office building exterior maintenance, billboard decoration, theater large prop design, and of course in construction.
But is a rental scissor lift right for the job you’re planning? Today, we’re here to help you answer that question by sharing some useful details on scissor lifts and their capabilities.
A Scissor Lift Is a Safe Raised Work Platform
When you need a work platform that extends several stories high, the scissor lift is often ideal for the job. It features a rectangular steel platform with elbow-high railing keeping workers and equipment as safe as possible inside. While it is still recommended that tethers and fall protection are used with a scissor lift, the wide platform and high railing provide a real work area no matter what elevated work you need to do.
Scissor Lifts Raise Between 10 and 60 Feet
How high do you need your work platform to go? A scissor lift must be climbed into, as fully collapsed the platform is still relatively high. The platform can then lift workers anywhere between 10 feet off the ground to 60 feet off the ground. Depending on how high your project needs to be, it might descend low enough; but there are few pieces of equipment that extend higher than the largest size of scissor lift. Consider the range of movement you need your lift work platform to travel.
High Load Capacity for People and Equipment
Smaller bucket lifts tend to have a lower weight capacity because the end of the lift and the extending post are small. A scissor lift, on the other hand, was designed for maximum platform support. Scissor lifts are considered to have extremely high weight capacity, though of course every model and individual size will have its own specific weight capacity.
The platform can hold several workers and their equipment. Scissor lifts are often used to raise heavy installation pieces and construction material that needs to go on the outside of a tall building. And they are used in warehouses to both stow and retrieve heavy items on very high shelves.
Scissor Lifts Come in Flat and Rough Terrain Models
Scissor lifts are mounted on two types of rolling vehicle body. There are scissor lifts built for flat terrain which are mostly used indoors and on flat pavement. These lifts may be smaller and are more commonly used for warehouse retrieval work and indoor construction. There are also scissor lifts with larger wheels and a higher undercarriage designed for rugged terrain. If you need a raised platform on terrain that is not yet finished and paved, a rugged terrain scissor lift will be the model type you should consider.
How Long Will You Need It?
The last thing you should know to make your decision is how long and how frequently you will need a scissor lift. If you are planning for a single finite project that will take anywhere from a few hours to a few months, then a rental is likely the answer for you. If you are predicting constant or regular use of your scissor lift for a warehouse, lofted-ceiling building maintenance, or outdoor projects, renting can help you get started while your business builds revenue to buy your own lifts.
Is a scissor lift right for your project? Is your project finite or could it benefit from temporary rental of a scissor lift? If so, Vandalia rental is here for you! Contact us today to narrow down the exact model of scissor lift you need and book your rental dates.