A scissor lift is an important piece of equipment that helps you work safely at heights. It is mostly used on construction sites to raise or lower construction materials, and in warehouses to access higher levels for storage and retrieval of commodities.

If you own a warehouse, hiring a scissor lift may not be your best option because you need its service frequently and hiring might become too expensive in the long run. Save up and buy a warehouse scissor lift that is cheaper than other types of scissor lifts used outdoors.

For other applications, like construction, hiring a construction scissor lift is your best option because it is cheaper and more feasible than buying. This is also the case for those who require a scissor lift for temporary work. You should consider the following when hiring scissor lifts:

Work Needs

This is the first and most crucial consideration because it helps you make a list of the tasks you want the scissor lift to be able to perform. You get to identify the terrain the scissor lift is expected to work on, the maximum height you want it to reach, the maximum load you want it to raise, etc. These factors are important to consider because the scissor lift you hire should have features that help you meet your work needs.

Type of Terrain

Your worksite terrain can either be rough (muddy, uneven, rocky, etc.) or smooth (concrete, level, tiles, etc.). Considering this helps you choose a scissor lift that either has features to help make it stable and access rough terrains or not. Such features include outriggers, rough-terrain tyres, levelling functions, etc.

Sometimes, you can come across scissor lifts that can only be used on concrete, meaning they do not have features that enable them to access or remain stable on rough terrains; they are mostly used for smooth terrains.

You should know that scissor lifts that are used indoors may be electrically powered while those used outdoors are often gas or diesel-powered.

Measurements

You should determine the maximum platform height, maximum working height, width and length of the scissor lift and that of the scissor lift platform, as well as the maximum safe workload to be raised or lowered. Get a scissor lift that matches the measurements you require.

Terms of the Scissor Lift Hire Agreement?

Since you now know what physical features to consider, find out the terms of scissor lift hire. Carefully read the clauses highlighted in the agreement so you understand them. You want to know the do's and don'ts and what happens in case of various outcomes like malfunctions. The scissor lift hire company should be able to repair or replace the scissor lift to avoid affecting your work.

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