A construction lift, also known as an aerial lift or man lift, is a term that defines a category of equipment with an aerial platform and extension mechanism mounted on a vehicle.
With so many different types of construction lifts, it’s easy to find the one that’s right for your particular job. You may use an aerial lift to:
Generally, you should consider a construction lift if you’re unable to do the job safely without one. For example, a lift is often safer and more efficient than using an extension ladder.
There are many types of construction lifts, with each one having its own set of pros and cons. Here are nine of the most common options.
With an aerial platform attached to a bendable, jointed arm, articulating boom lifts have a variety of uses. And that’s especially true when you take into consideration that they can reach heights of up to 100 feet.
Common uses include:
With the base of the arm mounted to a turntable, articulating boom lifts can make a full circular rotation. Furthermore, they have multiple joints, giving them the flexibility they need to bend over and around obstacles1.
An articulating boom lift has the potential to reach areas that other lifts can’t. There are many types of lifts within the articulating category, such as atrium lifts. With four leg mounts, they’re designed to provide elevation in small indoor spaces.
An articulating boom lift, like a telescopic model, can reach heights of up to 100 feet. The primary difference between the two is that a telescopic boom lift has a platform attached to an arm that moves up, down, and forward.
Here’s when it makes sense to choose a telescopic boom lift:
Telescopic boom lifts are the lift of choice when trimming trees or making electrical repairs at height.
These lifts are available in both electric and gas models, making them a good choice for both indoor and outdoor projects.
Some people call them bucket trucks. Others simply call them aerial lifts. Regardless of the name, these wheeled vehicles come equipped with a railed aerial platform controlled by a hydraulic crane.
One of the primary benefits of a cherry picker is its ability to reach heights up to 160 feet. Common uses include:
Small cherry pickers are designed to lift one person, while larger models can lift two2.
Wide aerial platforms, cross-brace supports, and quiet operation are just some of the many features and benefits of electric scissor lifts.
A scissor lift is designed to move straight up and down, thus allowing for safe operation in tight spots.
Unlike a boom lift, a scissor lift must be placed directly beneath the area you need to access. This is because the platform cannot move forward or backward.
With a larger platform, electric scissor lifts can transport large teams and their equipment to the necessary height (up to 60 feet).
Some of the best uses for an electric scissor lift include:
For narrow, small spaces indoors, a scissor lift is one of the most efficient ways to reach great heights.
Rough terrain scissor lifts work in the same way as electric scissor lifts, but there’s one big difference: they’re designed for use on rough or uneven terrain.
With more stable tires and a diesel engine, these lifts have the capability of tackling terrain that would bog down other machinery3.
Common uses include:
It’s frustrating to realize a worksite isn’t as accessible as you thought. Fortunately, a rough terrain scissor lift may be able to do the job.
Telescopic forklifts are sturdy, powerful, and flexible. With an extendable boom lift and lifting attachment, you can reach heights up to 21 feet.
These machines are generally best for transporting items long distances over rough terrain. This makes them a perfect fit on construction sites.
While they’re not generally the machine of choice for lifting workers, they can be used in this fashion with the right safety measures in place.
The ability to move forward and upward makes it easy to transport large items in tight spaces or over rough terrain.
As the name suggests, this type of forklift is designed to move items over rough terrain, such as on a construction site.
With the ability to lift loads up to 55 feet, there aren’t too many tasks it can’t handle. When combined with the power to lift loads of up to 8,000 pounds, you have a machine that can be used in many different industries.
Rough terrain forklifts are perfect when conditions are less than ideal and you need both weight and height capacity working in your favor. With upward and forward reach capability, these forklifts are flexible enough to handle a variety of tasks.
Industrial forklifts are designed to move items vertically in indoor warehouses and industrial settings.
These forklifts can support up to 30,000 lbs. in weight. The main disadvantage of industrial forklifts is their relatively short lift height, typically maxing out at 15 feet.
With so much versatility, industrial forklifts are among the most commonly purchased lifts on the market. And that holds true despite the fact that they’re used exclusively indoors4.
Also known as people lifts and man lifts, these are mechanical ladders that provide more stability and reach than conventional ladders.
While they appear simple to use, there’s a lot that goes into doing so safely and securely. Just the same as any other type of lift, it takes proper training to use this equipment.
These are best when you need to reach heights of up to 50 feet, but don’t require the power and maneuverability of a boom or scissor lift. For example, if you need to change a lightbulb in a warehouse ceiling, a personnel lift is an easy way to do so.
You know you need an aerial lift for an upcoming project. But what you don’t know is which type is best. These five areas of focus will help you choose the right one:
Understanding your needs within these five areas will allow you to select a compatible lift.
Now that you have a deeper knowledge of the types of construction lifts, you can decide which one suits your needs best.
Here are some final takeaways to keep in mind:
Now that you’re armed with knowledge on the various types of construction lifts, it’s time to find the perfect lift for your next job. Our Aerial Titan experts are here to help. We have over a decade of experience pairing business owners and project managers with the right machine for the work they need done. Whether you’re looking for dockstockers, order pickers, scissor lifts, or articulating boom lifts, we have what you need.
Articulating boom lifts are a crucial tool in any work environment that requires accessing an elevated space that’s confined, covered, or otherwise obstructed. The articulating limb on these lifts allows operators a greater level of control over how the work platform is positioned, and it enables workers to approach the intended area from angles that other lifts can’t manage.
These lifts have no problem reaching under roofs, between buildings, through narrow holes, or into the space between girders. Articulating boom lifts are ideal for all sorts of work, from painting and maintenance to construction and even film production.
Telescopic boom lifts are unique because of how their extending limb is designed. By utilizing a collapsing, telescoping limb, these lifts allow for a sturdy working platform that can be deployed in close quarters (when the limb is fully collapsed) just as easily as it can be used at great distances (when fully extended). These designs grant telescopic boom lifts a greater range of extension than most lifts, and owners can outfit them with a jib for further lateral extension.
Telescopic boom lifts typically have lower platform capacities than other man lifts, but they enable certain kinds of work that would otherwise be impossible or unfeasible. For example, a telescoping boom lift allows operators to extend the arm out over a body of water and do work in the air, such as trimming trees.
Cherry pickers are aptly named, as they’re indispensable for many types of agricultural work. They make it easier to gather crops grown on trees, and they provide a stable, secure workplace for the operator. Also known as bucket trucks, cherry pickers aren’t just useful for harvesting. Arborists and linesmen make use of these lifts while working in and around trees, as their mix of vertical extension and horizontal control makes it easier to maneuver around obstacles5.
The bucket on a cherry picker is also a useful workspace, enabling operators to carry tools while remaining securely grounded and minimizing the risk of a fall. Often, the bucket comes with controls, allowing the worker in the bucket to manipulate their position with ease.
For indoor lift use, electric scissor lifts are a popular choice over many other types of man lifts. By virtue of being electrically powered, these lifts offer a number of benefits. Their operation is relatively quiet, as there’s no combustion engine to produce noise. This also means that they’re not releasing noxious fumes into the air, which can quickly become dangerous when in a confined space, like a warehouse.
Electric scissor lifts are also easy to use and offer a lot of utility. They can extend high enough to cover the needs of most buildings, and their large platforms have high weight capacities when used in ideal conditions. They also allow for multiple people to work on one platform safely, which can be crucial for tasks that require more than one set of hands.
Unlike electric scissor lifts, most rough terrain scissor lifts are unsuitable for use indoors thanks to their internal combustion engines. They tend to be sturdier, however, and can hold up to unpredictable outdoor conditions without compromising safety. Rough terrain scissor lifts typically have large wheels that offer increased traction, and their high ground clearance allows them to navigate uneven terrain with a much lower risk of tipping over.
Still, rough terrain scissor lifts demand that their operators remain aware of safety concerns and hazards at all times. They should always be parked on stable ground, and load limits need to be followed with extra care6. Outdoor conditions can change quickly, such as when gusts of wind kick up, and the ground outside isn’t always even. These factors reduce a scissor lift’s functional capacity.
Telehandler forklifts are versatile and useful machines that play a crucial role in the construction and material handling industries. These lifts have a wider footprint than many forklifts and require more space to operate effectively, but they bring many benefits. Compared to other forklifts, telehandlers can lift more and are good at using their extendable arms to reach high heights.
They also allow for a number of attachments that can replace the forks, giving them extra versatility over other models. Telehandlers are best used outdoors or in warehouses with a lot of open space, as these machines are not as easily maneuverable7.
