Scissor Lift or Boom Lift? How to Choose
The choice comes down to direction: a scissor lift goes straight up, a boom lift goes up and over.
| Scissor lift | Boom lift | |
|---|---|---|
| Movement | Goes straight up and down. Cannot be steered around obstacles. | Hydraulic arm reaches up, over and around obstacles. |
| Height | Typically 20 to 50 ft (about 6 to 15 m). Larger models top out just over 40 ft. | Up to 185 ft (about 56 m) on the largest booms. |
| Platform | Large platform that suits several workers and materials. | Smaller platform. Telescopic booms usually carry higher weights. |
| Choose it when | You only need to go straight up and need room for people or materials. | You need to go up and over or around obstacles, or need more height. |
Indoors, outdoors and ground type
Electric scissor lifts suit clean, firm floors and indoor work. Rough-terrain diesel scissors and booms suit sand and uneven outdoor ground. Soft sand or slopes can rule a machine out, so tell us about the surface.
Working height, not platform height
Machines are often sold by working height, which is about two metres above the platform height. Ask which figure a specification uses so you do not rent a machine that is a metre or two short.
Training and safe use
Also check ground support, and ask for evidence of operator training (IPAF is the common international scheme). Follow your site's harness, exclusion zone and wind rules.
Sources: JLG, boom lift or scissor lift
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