15 Things You Never Knew About Aerial Lifts and Scissor ...

Aerial lifts and scissor lifts are essential tools in various industries, from construction and maintenance to event staging and more. W

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While many are familiar with their basic functions, there are numerous fascinating and lesser-known facts about these versatile machines. 

In this article, we will talk about 15 surprising aspects of aerial and scissor lifts to provide a comprehensive overview of their history, types, operation, and safety features.

1. Origins and Inventors

The invention of the aerial work platform is often credited to John L. Grove, an American inventor and industrialist. Grove's inspiration to create a safer working platform stemmed from witnessing a tragic accident at the Hoover Dam, where two workers were electrocuted while on scaffolding. However, the first aerial lift model was introduced by a company called Selma Manlift in , predating Grove&#;s models.

2. Tallest Aerial Lift

The world's tallest aerial lift, created by Elliott Equipment, boasts a working height of 215 feet, a side reach of 80 feet, and a platform capacity of up to 1,200 pounds. This lift, known as the E160/215, surpasses the height of the JLG SJ, which stands at 185 feet. (source)

3. Types of Aerial Lifts

Aerial work platforms are designed to elevate workers and equipment to high work sites, with various types suited for specific tasks:

Cherry Pickers: These boom-supported platforms are mounted on vehicles. Originally for picking fruit, they are now essential for tasks like repairing electrical lines and streetlights due to their mobility and reach. It extends both horizontally and vertically.

Personnel Lifts: Also known as mechanical ladders, these lifts are for single-person use, and ideal for indoor maintenance such as changing light bulbs, painting, or accessing high shelves. They offer a safer, more stable alternative to traditional ladders with features like guardrails and secure platforms.

Articulating Boom Lifts: Known as knuckle booms, these have multiple sections that bend and move independently allowing manoeuvrability around obstacles. The boom moves vertically, and horizontally, and rotates 360 degrees What makes them perfect for complex environments like construction sites.

Telescopic Boom Lifts: Also called stick booms, these have a single extendable arm reaching up to 100 feet. They provide stable, straightforward vertical reach, ideal for tasks requiring height, such as window washing on tall buildings or high-rise construction work.

Towable Boom Lifts: These portable lifts can be towed behind vehicles, offering versatility and ease of transport for various tasks.

Scissor Lifts: Featuring a criss-cross metal structure, these lifts elevate vertically, providing stable platforms for heavy-duty tasks like loading and unloading materials or maintenance work.

4. Versatility in Drive and Tread Options

Aerial lifts can be equipped with either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive systems, and their tyres can vary in tread type to suit different terrains. Some models even feature bulldozer-like tracks for operation on soft or sandy soils.

5. Power Sources

Traditional aerial lifts typically use gasoline, diesel, or propane. However, newer models increasingly utilize lithium batteries, offering a more environmentally friendly and quieter alternative, particularly suitable for indoor operations.

6. Rental vs. Purchase

Aerial lifts are available for both rental and purchase. Renting can be cost-effective for short-term use, while purchasing is ideal for long-term needs, allowing businesses to maximise their return on investment through proper maintenance.

7. Cost Range

The cost of an aerial lift varies widely, ranging from $5,000 to $80,000, depending on the make and model. It's advisable to shop around to find a lift that meets specific needs and budget constraints.

8. Safety Equipment

When operating an aerial lift, workers must wear a body belt with a lanyard attached to the boom or basket. This is crucial for preventing falls and ensuring operator safety.

9. Indoor and Outdoor Applications

Aerial lifts are versatile tools used in various environments. Scissor lifts are ideal for construction sites, while telescopic boom lifts are preferred for electrical work. They are also employed to trim tall trees, set up event stages, and perform other specialized tasks.

10. OSHA Certification

To legally operate an aerial lift, workers must complete an OSHA-approved safety training program. This certification ensures operators understand the fundamentals, safety standards, and potential hazards associated with aerial lift operations. Businesses risk significant fines and penalties if found non-compliant.

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11. Innovative Maneuverability

The self-propelled IAWP-7.3 industrial aerial work platform is designed to manoeuvre efficiently in tight spaces, offering a safer and more efficient alternative to ladders and scaffolding.

12. Terrain Adaptability

Different models of aerial lifts are designed for specific terrains. Rough terrain scissor lifts, for instance, are equipped with powerful engines and robust structures to navigate and operate efficiently on uneven outdoor surfaces.

13. Technological Advancements

Modern aerial lifts incorporate advanced technologies such as pneumatic, hydraulic, and mechanical systems using screws or rack-and-pinion mechanisms to enhance their performance and reliability.

14. Environmental Considerations

Electric scissor lifts are increasingly popular for indoor use due to their minimal environmental impact and quieter operation. These lifts produce no exhaust emissions, making them suitable for enclosed spaces.

15. Comprehensive Safety Practices

Safety is paramount when operating aerial lifts. Operators must conduct thorough pre-operation inspections, including checking fluid levels, hydraulic systems, and control mechanisms. The surrounding work area should be inspected for hazards such as unstable surfaces and overhead obstructions. Additionally, operators should never override safety features, exceed weight limits, or use the platform's edge improperly.

Conclusion

Aerial and scissor lifts are indispensable tools in many industries, offering unmatched versatility and safety for working at heights. Understanding the various types, applications, and safety considerations is crucial for maximising their effectiveness and ensuring safe operation. By adhering to proper training and certification requirements, businesses can enhance productivity while maintaining a safe working environment.

Whether you&#;re looking for a new or used aerial lift or an aerial lift rental for your shorter-term project, it&#;s crucial to know the requirements of the job &#; and your equipment &#; before you invest.

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Different aerial lifts serve diverse purposes, from accessing hard-to-reach places to increasing warehouse inventory management efficiency; your project will determine which lift will best serve your purposes. Read on to decide which aerial lift will be perfect for your next job.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Renting or Buying an Aerial Lift

• Is your project indoors or outdoors?
• Will you need a heavy-duty lift for rough-terrain, or a compact platform for tight warehouse spaces?
• What vertical and horizontal distances will you require of your machine?
• What is the total weight your lift will need to hold &#; including both materials and personnel?

The answers to these questions will inform your equipment-buying process. With these questions answered and your equipment requirements defined, follow our comprehensive buying guide to decide which type of aerial lift is right for your project.

When Should I use a Vertical Mast Lift?

A vertical mast lift is a light-weight, vertical aerial lift that works best in inventory management and stock-picking projects on an even-surfaced warehouse. Vertical mast lifts are light-weight and compact, typically accommodating one operator and handling up to 500 pounds. This means these machines work well for smaller scale warehouses in which heavy load-lifting is not required. This is typically the lowest cost option when you need to eliminate ladders and scaffolds.

Vertical mast lifts can be electrically self-propelled or manually pushed into position depending on the weight and power your work requires. They can achieve elevated work heights from 15 to 40 feet.

A vertical mast lift is best utilized:

• When you&#;re looking to cut costs and increase efficiency in your warehouse inventory management processes
• In indoor areas requiring low clearance and minimal emissions
• In light-weight, vertical lifting projects on even surfaces

What&#;s the Difference Between an Electric-Powered and Engine-Powered Articulating Boom Lift?

Articulating boom lifts, sometimes referred to as &#;knuckle booms&#; for their multiple hinged sections, allow for maneuverability in hard-to-reach worksites. These lifts work well in tight, congested areas in which you need to work around obstacles like overhead conduits and pipes.

In choosing the right lift, consider your emissions requirement; you can choose between engine-powered lifts, which offer substantial power and mobility over rough terrain, and electric articulated boom lifts, which are quiet and sustainable in an even-surfaced, indoor area.

Used an electric-powered articulated boom lift:

• On projects that involve hard-to reach areas and congested workspace
• In a warehouse with tight corners, confined spaces and there&#;s requirements for little sound disruption
• When work height requirements range from 30-45 feet
• When inside and don&#;t want poisonous emissions accumulating

Used an engine-powered articulated boom lift:

• On outdoor projects where overhead obstructions prevent direct access to your work position
• When engine emissions accumulation are not an issue at your worksite
• When you have to reach work heights from 40 to over 100 feet elevation
• When traveling over rough terrain on a construction worksite or when you require a boom with 4 wheel drive

When Should I Use a Telescopic Boom Lift?

A telescopic boom lift is simpler than an articulating boom in that it&#;s boom has no &#;knuckle&#; and merely protrudes out from the base in a straight line. Operators must be able to access the working position directly using lift and telescopic functions. These powerful lifts offer working positions from 40 to well over 100 feet with a maximum lift height to date of 185 feet on the largest models.

Contractors searching for extensive reach and not limited to a tight space will find telescopic booms useful in replacing scaffolding. While not as versatile as the articulating boom lift, these lifts have very high performance in large-scale, outdoor construction projects.

• On outdoor job sites requiring larger vertical and horizontal reach distances
• When traveling over rough terrain to a construction worksite, or when you require a boom with 4-wheel drive
• When you&#;re working from a distance
• When you&#;re looking to increase power and speed on your jobsite
• As a lower cost option to the articulated boom lift of equal lift height

When Should I Use a Scissor Lift?

Scissor lifts are named for the crisscrossing metal supports that elongate to lift the platform vertically. These sturdy lifts can tackle your warehouse inventory project or your outdoor project on uneven terrain, depending on the power source and model you choose.

Like vertical mast lifts, electric, low-clearance scissor lifts work well in warehouses with even flooring and where low emissions are required; engine-powered scissor lifts can travel across rough, outdoor terrain with 4-wheel drive technology.

Scissor lifts are best suited for:

• In jobs that are mostly vertical; some models come equipped with small extension decks
• Electric: In low-clearance indoor workspaces that require limited emissions
• Engine-powered: In outdoor jobs that require all-terrain transport of equipment and require only vertically raised platforms

With this equipment breakdown and thorough analysis of your project, you can determine the best aerial lift for you. From an electric scissor lift for your low-emissions warehouse project or a 4-wheel drive telescopic boom lift for an expansive construction job, we&#;ll assist with all your aerial lift needs.

LiftOne carries both Genie aerial lifts and JLG aerial lifts; check out our new equipment or used inventory to browse extensive options. Looking for more of a short-term equipment rental? We can help with that, too. Visit one of our convenient locations for further information and help in choosing the best aerial equipment for you.

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