Scissor Lifts Raise The Bar!

Scissor lifts (or man lifts) are versatile pieces of equipment that can be used for a wide variety of tasks. They are an alternative to boom lifts and portable aerial platforms, but of course they are specifically designed to be particularly useful in scenarios where there is only narrow access.

As an example of how versatile they are, it’s worth considering that there are two kinds of narrow access problems that scissor lifts are the solution for. One type is where there is only narrow access vertically-the kind that would stop a boom lift from being able to get into the space. The other type could be a situation where there is plenty of room inside the building to operate and manouevre the lift, but to get inside the building involves transporting the lift through a narrow access doorway.

Even the tallest scissor lifts will compact down enough to pass through a standard single doorway. They also have other clever features such as non-marking tires fitted as standard-a useful addition for where the lift must travel through a non industrial section of a building in order to get to the industrial area.

Some electrically powered scissor lifts are fitted with low sound emission electric motors. This enables the lift to be used in areas which may have people are working in a sound sensitive environment for example - a school or an office. Another great innovation is the addition of wheels with a zero turning radius. This enables the operator to make small adjustments, even when they are in the air. It also improves the general manoeuvrability of the lift in very tight spaces.

Scissor lifts can be fitted with some useful additional features. These include platform work lights, an air line supply to the platform, and even folding guard rails which fold flat to make the whole lift even smaller when unextended. Many scissor lifts also come as standard with self levelling outriggers. Outriggers are the hydraulic support legs which push down to the ground (pushing the wheels off the ground) in order to keep the platform level. The self-levelling versions automatically find the level for the user.

Some scissor lifts have a system called on board diagnostics. If the lift is in use and the platform is raised the operator can diagnose and hopefully fix the problem from the raised platform, without having to retract the lift.

Scissor lifts are an essential tool for anyone who needs to work at height in confined spaces. Raise your game with a scissor lift.