Have you got a big project on your list to complete but need to hire an aerial lift and don’t know where to start? Are you struggling to decide which lift is right for you? That’s ok, there are so many on the market to hire it’s no wonder it can sometimes be confusing. Do you hire the Scissor Lift, the Boom Lift, the Powered Access Platform? Don’t worry we’re here to assist you in making the right decision on Powered Access hire. Let’s go!

Boom Lifts – What Are They?

Boom Lifts are Aerial Lifts but provide much more flexibility when it comes to lifting. Because they have a hydraulic arm they are capable of manoeuvring up and around objects. Boom Lifts can also extend to higher elevations if required. There are two main types of Boom Lift.

Articulated Boom Lifts have numerous sections that can bend or articulate at various angles allowing the user to reach up and around different obstacles. They are used when your platform needs to reach up and over a particular obstacle for example walls, machinery, and fixtures. They are better suited for moving people and materials around obstacles and into different positions.

Telescopic Boom Lifts have straight arms that extend out in a straight line and usually have a higher weight capacity, but they are more difficult to manoeuvre. They are better suited moving people and materials into place and stationing them in one position. 

Advantages Of Boom Lifts:

  • Offer superb flexibility for a range of hard to reach projects both indoors and outdoors.
  • Overcome obstacles that might otherwise cost time and money to get around with other Powered Access equipment.
  • Higher Lifting Heights – Boom Lifts usually extend much higher than Scissor Lifts, lifting heights can extend to over 130 feet! Compared to a Scissor Lifts maximum which is approx. 50 feet.
  • Better Manoeuvrability – A Boom Lift is a much better option if you need to manoeuvre round objects. The long arm can be angled in different directions to access hard to reach areas.

Disadvantages Of Boom Lifts:

  • Smaller Platform Area – Boom Lifts tend to have smaller Platform areas which mean they hold fewer materials or people.
  • We are all trying to look after the pennies with the supply of materials, labor and fuel increasing. Boom Lifts are more expensive to purchase compared to Scissor Lifts and Powered Access platforms meaning the hire rate is significantly more.
  • If you’re not confident with heights then a Boom Lift is probably not the right piece of equipment to hire considering some can reach heights of up to 130 feet or more!

Scissor Lifts – What Are They?

Scissor Lifts are a popular model of aerial platform used to elevate people to high areas, and are most commonly used in manufacturing and industrial settings for example when you need to hang signage, change lighting, ceiling construction and other maintenance projects. The lifts are supported by a stack of crossed braces that work in a scissor like fashion when the platform is either raised or lowered. Most are designed to only move up and down. One of the greatest advantages of a Scissor Lift is that they feature large platforms that can fit several people all at once as well as materials and tools.

Advantages Of Scissor Lifts

  • Scissor Lifts really come in to their own for those jobs where multiple people are required at an elevated level. The size of the platform is usually much larger than other types of aerial lifts.
  • They are usually more cost efficient to hire because they are not as expensive to purchase as a Boom Lift.
  • Easy to operate and manoeuvre.
  • Compact enough when space is limited as they are designed to fully retract and take up minimal space.

Cons of Scissor Lifts

  • Most Scissor Lifts can only reach heights of 20-50 feet. This is significantly less than most Boom Lifts.
  • Scissor Lifts only move vertically meaning you cannot move them up and over any obstacles that you may have.
  • Unless you specify a rough terrain Scissor Lift you can only use them on level ground for example concrete or asphalt.

Boom Lift & Scissor Lift Hire…

Now that you know the difference between boom lifts and scissor lifts, you may now need to know the best place to hire them! We offer local delivery and collection across areas of Cheshire and Staffordshire, as a leading tool and plant hire company. Get in touch with our team today for 5 star boom lift and scissor lift hire in Cheshire and Staffordshire. Simply fill in our contact form here or call us on 01270 696777.