A scissor lift is essentially an elevated working platform that lifts vertically in one direction. They can typically hold up to four people at a time and can reach heights of up to 21 metres, depending on the machine. As it extends, its lifting mechanism of crossed tubes in a scissor-like fashion is visible, thus gaining its name of scissor lift. There are a range of scissor lift brands, sizes and reach heights available for hire.
Popular brands of scissor lifts include Skyjack, Genie, Haulotte, JLG and Snorkel. Each brand offers their own unique benefits and features, so make sure to check which is the best option for your needs.
Scissor lifts range in size, from small-scale lift heights of 1.2 metres with less weight capacity, up to large-scale scissor lifts with a reach of more than 20 metres and weight capacities of up to 450kg. These larger scissor lifts for hire are ideal for those who require moving people and materials on the platform to get the job done.
Common projects that require scissor lift hire include: building maintenance work, such as painting or removing/installing signage, delivering heavy equipment to high areas, technical work at heights such as cable wiring, and material handling.
The project will determine the type of scissor lift you need to hire. The main types of scissor lifts include all-terrain scissor lifts, hydraulic scissor lifts, electric scissor lifts and pneumatic scissor lifts. Each of these are suited to different applications.
The scissor lift is a popular choice thanks to their ease of use. However operating any scissor lift, while easy, does require a licence due to the associated risks of working at heights. For this reason, anyone using the scissor lift, whether operating or simply using the platform, must be working at heights certified.
Hiring a scissor lift is a great option for anyone who requires flexibility of daily, weekly or monthly hire, and does not need a scissor lift long-term. Hiring a scissor lift also means no associated ownership costs such as ongoing servicing and maintenance. For scissor lift hire rates, get in touch with the individual hire company for a quote, as this may differ depending on whether it is dry or wet hire, and what timeframe you choose to hire for.
