A scissor lift is a safer option than a ladder when it comes to allowing your employees to work up high. It provides greater stability and a bigger platform for staff to work on. As a business owner who has never hired a scissor lift before, you might not be 100% sure what features are best in a scissor lift. Consider these four factors and how they relate to your lift needs before you contact your local hire company.

Electric Versus Fuel Scissor Lifts

You can hire scissor lifts in both electric and fuel versions. Which one you choose depends on the location of where the lift will operate. If you intend to operate it indoors, such as in a factory or a warehouse, then hire an electric version. The reason for this is electric lifts do not emit any fuel fumes, whereas fuel-powered lifts do. Consequently, only hire a fuel lift if an outdoor operation is planned so the fumes can disperse without affecting your staff.

Terrain Maneuverability

Speaking of outside operation, if you plan to use the scissor lift outdoors, then you need to choose a model that can easily maneuver uneven terrain. There are lifts available for hire which have 4-wheel-drive capacity, so have a chat with the hire agent to ascertain what model works best for your intended location.

Height Reach

Each model of scissor lift has its own capacity when it comes to the height it can reach. Accordingly, you need to know the intended height of the task before hiring the scissor lift. Do not forget you should allow for the height of your employees standing on the scissor lift platform when calculating the height requirement you have. Your staff should be able to easily reach their intended target without stretching. Stretching can lead to staff losing their balance and falling on the lift platform.

Weight Capacity

Each scissor lift model also has a weight capacity which it can hold and still function safely. If you exceed this weight restriction, then the lift could fail to operate, or worse, topple over. Calculate the approximate weight on the platform by adding up the weight of your staff, plus the tools they need for their task. If this weight exceeds the lift recommendations, either hire a larger scissor lift or hire a secondary one.

Once you have thought about these four factors, then you have a sound base of knowledge to approach the scissor lift hire company to rent the vehicle perfect for your needs.