Aerial lifts – hydraulic platforms for lifting a person or people – come in many sizes and varieties. Scissor lifts are a specialized type of aerial lift, designed to lift larger loads and provide more work space. For manufacturing or industrial work where multiple workers need to be on the same platform, a scissor lift is a must-have.

A scissor lift can be powered by gas or electricity. Diesel or gas-powered scissor lifts – often called rough terrain scissor lifts – are better for outdoor use, but can’t be used indoors. Electric scissor lifts are quiet and emission free, which makes them a better choice for use in warehouses or other indoor work.

The most basic consideration when choosing a scissor lift is the height you need to reach. Because the strength of a scissor lift is the size of the platform and weight it can support, you may not find the same lift heights you would in other types of aerial lifts: most can reach heights of 20 to 50 feet, not as high as some telescoping man lifts or boom lifts. You’ll also need to consider lifting capacity: most scissor lifts can carry from 500 to 2,500 lbs.

While most scissor lifts can only lift straight up and down, some have a feature that lets you shift the platform horizontally several feet. Others allow you to drive the machine around while the platform is raised – but not all do.

Scissor lift dealers make the difference
The dealer will provide the service and support to keep your scissor lifts running smoothly, so it’s important that you find one who is reputable, stable, and can provide top-notch service.

Some important questions to ask when deciding where to buy your scissor lifts:

• How long have you been in business?
• What kind of parts inventory do you keep on site?
• How many technicians do you have?
• Do you do on-site service?
• Do you have guaranteed response times when a piece of equipment breaks down?
• What kind of insurance do you carry? (If they don’t have proper worker’s comp, one of their technicians who gets hurt while repairing a scissor lift at your facility could fall under your insurance.)

You’ll probably want to visit the dealer’s facility. Simply seeing the parts warehouse and service areas can give you a good sense of their capabilities. It will also give you the chance to compare multiple scissor lifts.

Talking to other businesses in your area can be a great source of insight into a dealer’s strengths and weaknesses. You should also ask the dealer for customer references, preferably of customers using scissor lifts similar to yours.

When checking references, you can ask questions like these:

• How long have you been a customer of theirs? How many scissor lifts have you purchased?
• Did you get the right scissor lift for your application?
• Has the dealer done a good job with maintenance and repairs?
• Would you buy from this dealer again?
• What could the dealer improve about their operation?

Once you're ready to buy, fill out a free request for scissor lift price quotes. BuyerZone's network of qualified scissor lift dealers will provide multiple options and competitive prices.

Note: the term "scissor lift" is also used to describe small push carts with hydraulic lifts for moving boxes and containers a few feet off the ground. These lifts are not covered by BuyerZone suppliers.