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With so many choices of scissor lifts, how do you know which one is right for the job at hand? First, you'll need to evaluate the job that needs to be completed and its surrounding workspace. Ask yourself the following questions:
Keep reading to determine the best scissor lift choice for your jobsite.
Will there be wind present where you're working? If so, you'll need to make sure you choose a scissor lift that's rated for work in a windy environment. If wind speeds are above 28 mph, work in a non-wind rated scissor lift can become dangerous, creating a potential tip-over hazard.
Pro Tip: Make sure to check a lift's outdoor ratings as many scissor lifts have two ratings: one for indoor use and one for outdoor use.
What are the ground conditions the scissor lift will be working on? If the ground is rough and uneven, a rough terrain lift should be chosen as they're designed to work in those conditions. If you'll be working on a firm level surface, an electric slab scissor lift would be the best choice.
Upper control on the Hy-Brid Lifts Pro Series with indoor/outdoor selection.
Areas with raised floor panels can only be accessed with lightweight scissor lifts.
Will the location of work be hard to get to? As jobsites get more complex, the ability to get equipment like scissor lifts into a small room at the end of a hallway becomes more difficult. To combat this, manufacturers produce a variety of models for varying jobsite complexities, such as small compact push-around and zero-turn scissor lifts, to allow access into areas a larger traditional scissor lift wouldnt be able to access.
Pro Tip: For maximum maneuverability, consider a compact zero-turn scissor lift. These mobile elevating lifts offer precise movements to help operators navigate even the trickiest jobsite.
Are there any delicate or restricted weight areas the lift will need to work on or drive over? This is an easily overlooked aspect of any job. While it may be easy to get a lift where it needs to go, it might have to travel over sensitive floors, such as tile, which could easily be cracked by the weight of a standard scissor lift. Another scenario is work that needs to be done on a multistory buildingwill the elevator be able to support the weight of a scissor lift or will you need to have other equipment to get the scissor lift to the higher floors?
Pro Tip: A lightweight scissor lift is less likely to damage sensitive flooring due to low floor load pressures and can fit into most personnel elevators.
How high is the work that needs to be done? While height might seem relatively straight forward, you'll need to ask yourself where are all possible areas you'll need the scissor lift to access. Scissor lift platform height is measured from the ground to the work platform. Working height is measured from the ground to the operator's height, typically 6 ft above platform height. Choosing a lift that's too big can easily lead to lost productivity, increased jobsite damage, and increased chances of injury. Choosing a lift that's too small can also increase the chance of injury as operators may be tempted to misuse the equipment by standing on the rails or using a ladder on the lift platform to reach a work area, presenting a fall hazard.
Pro Tip: Depending on the job, you might need more than one lift size to maximize safety and productivity.
Does the floor need to be protected from hydraulic oil drips? Take a look at the jobsite and determine if there are finished floors that would be damaged if hydraulic fluid leaked onto it and consider the cost of potential clean up and rework. Cleaning up a leak from hydraulic fluid can be expensive, but there are solutions to this problem. Many scissor lifts come with lift diapers, which wrap underneath lifts to catch potential leaks, and all-electric models are available, which eliminate leaks altogether. You can also choose a scissor lift that has a fluid containment system already built-in.
Pro Tip: While hydraulic oil containment solutions are an upgrade to lift diapers, you need to make sure that they can contain all of the machine's hydraulic fluid if need be. The LeakGuard Fluid Containment System by Hy-Brid Lifts offers 110% fluid containment for maximum leak protection.
The Hy-Brid Lifts LeakGuard Fluid Containment System with 110% coverage.
Frame damage caused by a scissor lift too large for this application.
Is precision maneuverability important? Not all lifts are created equal and a machine that doesn't have precise control presents the risk of accidentally damaging finished walls, door frames, and more, creating costly repairs. Anytime hydraulics are used for driving or steering, you sacrifice precision maneuverability that's vital to preventing damage.
So, what are your options to increase control of your scissor lift? The best choice is to use a scissor lift that has electric drive and steer with proportional controls, allowing you to make precise movements at a controlled speed. To further increase maneuverability, look for a scissor lift with a low inside turning radius. It's not all about turning radius though; you'll also need to choose a lift with a compact footprint.
Pro Tip: To lower potential rework costs, choose a scissor lift with proportional electric drive, low inside turning radius, and a compact footprint.
Will the lift have to pass through multiple doorways? While this might sound like an odd question, the new ANSI A92.20 standard for scissor lift design mandates that railing heights be increased from 39 in to 43.3 in to increase operator safety. You might be saying So what, but a significant portion of scissor lifts need to have their rails folded down to fit through standard doorways. Not only does this take extra time, but it also lowers operator productivity to pull pins and fold down rails to go through doorways, then set the rails back up in order to use the lift again. Having a scissor lift with folding rails can also cost you money if the rails are not folded properly and the door frame gets hit by a part of the railing.
Pro Tip: Hy-Brid Lifts offer compact scissor lift designs with working heights up to 25 ft that don't require folding rails to fit through doorways.
Do your employees work above ground on a regular basis? If so, you may be thinking about buying a scissor lift. Scissor lifts offer several benefits for companies that engage in above-ground work. They can be used indoors and outside. They replace the need for ladders, towers or scaffolding. They allow operators to complete jobs quicker by reducing setup times. The platforms can hold many different types of equipment needed for a job. Most important, scissor lifts provide safe access to hard-to-reach areas.
Clearly, there are many advantages to using a scissor lift. But buying one does require a big investment. So before you make the big decision, here are some important factors you need to know.
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A scissor lift is a motorized vehicle with a sturdy platform that can only be raised straight up into the air. The platform cannot be moved horizontally as with other types of aerial lifts. Scissor lift types include fixed, mobile, electric and rough terrain.
Mobile scissor lifts are generally used for outdoor projects that require travel to get to the job site. Fixed scissor lifts are typically used inside warehouses and other industrial structures. Electric scissor lifts are best for tasks that take place in level, easy to reach areas. For example:
-Maintaining structures
-Seasonal maintenance tasks
-Accessing warehouse shelves
-Cleaning gutters and windows
-Replacing light bulbs or signs
-Repairing high-mounted equipment
-Work that requires lifting heavy materials or equipment
-Tasks that require lifting multiple workers
Rough terrain scissor lifts are designed for outdoor projects where stability is of vital importance. These can include:
-Constructing or repairing buildings
-Fixing or inspecting utilities
-Installing signage
-Finishing landscape work
-Moving goods at a railyard
-Working on unpaved roads or gravel
Before you begin shopping for a scissor lift, be sure to determine how and where you will use it. This will help determine the type of lift, its capacity and any extra features you may need. First, identify the scissor lifts primary function. Is it to provide access to hard-to-reach areas, lift heavy loads or both? The consider the following:
Environment: Will the lift be used indoors or outdoors?
Jobs: What type of work will you be performing with the lift?
Emissions: Does the work area have strict emission codes?
Terrain: Is it smooth or rough? Can it safely support heavy equipment?
Work heights: What is the maximum height your scissor life will need to reach?
Weather: What are weather conditions like on your work sites?
Frequency of use: How often will you use the scissor lift? For how long?
Safety features: What safety features, such as emergency buttons and safety bars, will you need for maximum worker safety?
Load capacity: How much weight will the scissor lift need to support?
Clearance: If used indoors, what is the clearance when working in aisles or other narrow workspaces?
Buying a scissor lift is no small expense. The bigger they get, the more they cost. After the initial purchase price, you still have the cost of training all workers who will use the lift. You also have to account for maintenance labor and replacement parts. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize the total cost.
Buying used rather than new can save a lot of money. The downside is you dont get the warranty of a new lift. Plus, a used scissor lift has a shorter life cycle. But if the lift has been well-maintained and you only need it for light to moderate use, buying used might be the right decision.
You can also rent rather than buy. This option works well if you only need the scissor lift for occasional work. Renting also saves the cost of storing and maintaining the lift, and the cost of transporting the lift to the job site. When renting, the rental company will deliver it for you.
Finally, determine whether the benefits of buying a scissor lift outweigh the costs. These can include:
-Reduced medical and workers comp costs through improved safety
-Improved productivity
-The ability to take on bigger or more jobs
On average, there are 26 deaths a year in the U.S. due to aerial lift accidents. In many cases, they result from operator error or negligence. If you buy a scissor lift, training and certification for employees is not just an OSHA requirement. Its the right thing to do. You owe it to your employees to provide a safe working environment. With aerial lifts, that means approved training and certification for all who work in and around them. Scissor lifts will often have more than the operator on board. Everyone on the lift should be trained on aerial lift safety.
Keep in mind that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recently released updated standards for aerial lift safety and training. When you send employees for training, make sure to use a company that trains and certifies to the new standards.
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