Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/119539
rentsmart | by Marcia Gruver Doyle MGruver@randallreilly.com Scissors excel at getting you to work areas directly overhead – with capacity to spare. Be prepared to answer these 10 questions when renting a scissor lift The obvious question: How high do you want to go? Scissor lift platform heights range from 5 to around 53 feet, so there's a great deal of choice. Manufacturers size lifts by platform height, or the measurement from the ground to the maximum height of the platform floor (or base of the scissor basket). "Working height" adds 6 feet to the platform height to approximate the height of a person in the basket. 1 2 What do you need to do? "Be prepared to describe your environment in detail," says Mike Bierschbach, United Rentals' director, corporate fleet management. This includes the type of surface the lift will be on, whether it will be on a level or slanted surface, and if there are any surface irregularities to consider. Gradient, wet or rough terrain will make a difference in you equipment choice, says Skyjack. Check a machine's gradability rating, or the percentage grade the product can climb. Make sure you can get across the jobsite to the place of work. Is a scissor the best choice? Once you've reviewed the job, you may opt for the extra up and over of an articulating boom lift or the reach of a telescopic lift. Scissors are your best bet, however, for jobs directly overhead that require extra platform space and larger lifting capacities. 3 What space constraints do you have? Narrow doorways or confined work areas may require the use of a smaller electric scissor. Compact electric lifts can maneuver in small spaces and require level footing such as concrete slabs. And make sure the project's floor load rating can bear the weight of the machine. Folding guardrails, such as those found on the Genie GS-3232, make it easier to maneuver through doorways and into elevators. If the scissors has outriggers, remember to include the width of the outrigger spread in your calculations. 4 EquipmentWorld.com | April 2013 47