SCISSOR LIFTS

Key Features of a Scissor Lift

There are six key features that every scissor lift must have:

• Scissor legs: X-shaped crisscross scissor mechanism for raising and lowering the platform.
• Base: The part that stays on the ground, acting as a foundation to keep the platform as stable as possible.
• Platform: The wide, flat area that lifts up and down, carrying equipment and people for work in elevated areas. The platform typically has safety guardrails.
• Lift system: Either a hydraulic system that uses liquids or a pneumatic system that uses compressed air to push the platform up.
• Power source: Either gas/diesel fuel or electric to power the lift.
• Control box: The box with the buttons or switches used to maneuver the lift up and down and side to side.

Features can vary by model. Certain lifts have shorter platform heights of around 20 feet, while others can reach up to 50 feet. The width varies depending on the height or on whether the lift is intended for indoor or outdoor use.

An indoor electric scissor lift, for example, is 32 inches wide. The narrow dimension allows the lift to fit through doorways and into more congested areas. Wide scissor lifts (often used outdoors) provide more space for workers or equipment on the platform, potentially improving efficiency.

Practical Applications for Scissor Lifts

A scissor lift is often the best tool to get workers and equipment up high to complete a job. But what kinds of jobs?

In construction and maintenance, scissor lifts are nearly a must-have. You can use them to install and repair electrical and HVAC units in high ceilings and repair and install windows on upper floors. Whether you need to run wires or service units, the equipment provides convenient, stable access wherever you need it.

In warehousing, they help staff reach high racks to unload new products and retrieve others. You can even use the scissor lift to get a better full-picture view of your inventory during audits (so you don't miss anything).

People in the events and entertainment industries use scissor lifts as camera platforms to capture elevated shots or to rig lights for set construction. These lifts are also more stable alternatives to ladders for painting projects. Plus, painters can put equipment on the platform to keep everything needed within arm’s reach.

Scissor Lift FAQ

What is a scissor lift used for?

Scissor lifts have many applications across construction, maintenance, and inventory management. For example, HVAC professionals might use them to install a new HVAC system in a commercial building with high ceilings. Unlike a ladder, it provides a large, stable platform to reach high places and may even accommodate more than one worker at a time.

It's also very common to use them in large warehouses. They make it easy and convenient to stock and retrieve items from high shelves. Or, you may see utility workers using them to repair high-up power lines and transformers.

What are the key features of a scissor lift?

The main feature is the one that gives it its name. The X-shaped metal supports expand and contract to raise and lower the lift. A stable platform with safety rails is also a common feature.

Depending on the type of scissor lift, it uses either a hydraulic (liquid) or a pneumatic (compressed air) system to raise and lower the platform. They also require either gas/diesel fuel or a battery as a power source. The base of the lift is what always stays on the ground and provides the necessary support.

What are the standard scissor lift sizes?

There are a few considerations when choosing the size of a scissor lift:

• Platform height: The maximum height the platform can reach at full extension
• Platform size: Whether the platform is narrow or wide
• Platform capacity: How much weight the platform can safely raise and lower

Typically, you'll see platform heights of 19, 26, 32, 40, or 50 feet. Narrow platforms are around 30 to 32 inches wide, while wide platforms can be 46 inches wide or wider. Narrow scissor lifts for sale tend to be cheaper and more maneuverable, but wide platforms give you more room to work and bring equipment. Platform capacity can range from 500 to 2,000 pounds and generally increases with platform height.

What is the difference between a scissor lift and a boom lift?

Scissor lifts only move vertically, while boom lifts can move both horizontally and vertically in the air. Boom lifts also offer considerably more reach, climbing to heights of around 200 feet versus around 50 feet.

However, the drawback to boom lifts is that they're generally more expensive to rent or purchase. The platform on a boom lift also has a lower capacity and is less stable than the platform on a scissor lift. If you're dealing with multiple workers or heavy equipment at a single location, a scissor lift is the best option.

What is the difference between a scissor lift and a forklift?

The main difference is that forklifts primarily move materials horizontally while scissor lifts primarily move people vertically. A forklift operator uses the forks to lift and carry materials from one place to another. They don't reach very high, and the operator does not move up and down. Forklifts are ideal for moving pallets or other heavy goods.

By contrast, scissor lifts raise and lower personnel and materials vertically, up to 50 feet. They move horizontally for positioning, not transporting materials. A scissor lift for sale is often more expensive than a forklift, but it's the better option when you need a stable platform to work from at a tall height.