Aerial Lifts: Scissor Lifts vs. Boom Lifts
When you’re looking to buy or rent an aerial lift for your job site, there are a variety of options for you to choose from. There are two main types of aerial lifts: scissor lifts and boom lifts. Before you decide on which aerial lift you’d like for your job site, it is important to understand which lift is best suited for certain jobs.
What are Scissor Lifts?
Scissor lifts are used to elevate workers high in the air, along with any tools or equipment needed for the job. The scissor lift provides a sturdy platform for you to work on and its surrounding railings help to ensure your safety. The platform rests upon crisscrossing supports which are drawn together to smoothly raise the lift to the appropriate height.
Scissor lifts can be used for both outdoor and indoor construction. There are two main types of scissor lifts. A slab scissor lift is ideal for working in tight spaces on level surfaces. Rough terrain scissor lifts are equipped with four-wheel drive and are meant to increase productivity in demanding outdoor job sites. Their large platforms allow for multiple people to be working on the lift at the same time with enough space and weight capacity for all of their equipment. Also, because they can only move vertically, scissor lifts do not have the capability to move around obstacles.
What are Booms Lifts?
Boom lifts are another common type of aerial lift. Like scissor lifts, they have a platform for workers to stand on except boom lifts are supported by a hydraulic arm rather than crisscrossing supports. There are two types of boom lifts: articulating boom lifts and telescopic boom lifts. Articulating boom lifts have sections on its hydraulic arm that can bend and move around obstacles. Being able to move different sections of the arm independently from one another allows you to get into those hard to reach areas
Telescopic lifts have straight hydraulic arms which extend out and up. This gives them a higher weight capacity but does not allow them to maneuver easily around objects. Because the larger section of the boom lift is straight, it cannot be compacted down which can make it hard to move around in low rise buildings. When deciding on which type of boom lift you’ll need for the job, you have to consider the surrounding area. If you’ll be working in an area with many obstacles, an articulating lift is the way to go. However, if you’re operating in a very open space, either boom lift will get the job done.
Benefits of Aerial Lifts
There are plenty of benefits to using aerial lifts on the job site instead of traditional scaffolding. First off, they are much safer for workers to be operating on. There’s no climbing up and down an exposed ladder with a risk of falling off. Scissor lifts have a secure railing to help prevent accidents. And when working on a boom lift, all workers are tethered in to ensure their safety. Another benefit to aerial lifts is their convenience. You can move from one position to another with ease, allowing you to get the job done in less time than if you were using scaffolding. And with jobs taking less time to complete, aerial lifts can help you save on costs.
Aerial Lifts Are a Must Have
Whether you need a scissor lift or a boom lift, C&C Lift Truck carries a variety of new and competitively priced Genie aerial lifts with working heights from 21 to 59 feet. Additionally, we offer the complete line of Genie Articulating Z-Booms. Whether you need two or four-wheel drive, a narrow access model, or a model with an extended working height, we’ll work with you to pick the perfect forklift for your needs. If you and your team are unaware of how to properly operate an aerial lift, we can provide the training you need. Take a look our Genie aerial lifts or contact us today for more information.