Scissor lift or cherry picker: which access platform to hire?
A scissor lift raises a large platform straight up. A cherry picker, or boom lift, puts a smaller basket up and out, over obstacles and away from the base of the machine. The choice depends on whether you can park directly underneath the work.
How they compare
| Scissor lift | Cherry picker (boom lift) | |
|---|---|---|
| Movement | Vertical only, with a small extension deck | Up, out and over obstacles |
| Platform | Large deck, often 2 to 4 people | Basket for 1 or 2 people |
| Typical working heights | About 6–18 m | About 10–40 m and more |
| Indoor use | Electric models with non-marking tyres | Mainly outdoor; some electric models indoors |
| Typical jobs | Ceilings, lighting, ductwork, warehouse fit-out | Façades, gutters, roofs, tree work, signage |
Scissor lifts
Electric scissor lifts are the usual choice indoors: they are quiet, produce no exhaust fumes and many fit through standard double doors. The common UK sizes are often described by height in feet, such as 19 ft or 26 ft, which is usually the platform height rather than the working height. Always check which figure a quote refers to.
Rough terrain scissor lifts are larger diesel or bi-energy machines with four-wheel drive and outriggers. They suit uneven outdoor ground such as new-build plots and cladding work.
Before booking indoors, check the floor loading. A scissor lift with a full platform puts a lot of weight on a small area, and suspended floors or mezzanines may not be designed for it.
Cherry pickers and boom lifts
There are two main types. Articulated booms have one or more knuckles, so the basket can go up and over an obstacle and then down onto the work. Telescopic booms have a straight extending arm, so they reach further horizontally but cannot bend around things. For larger machines, see telescopic boom lift hire.
Other variations include:
- Spider lifts: tracked, lightweight booms that can fit through a single gate
- Trailer-mounted cherry pickers: towable and quick to set up on driveways
- Van and truck-mounted platforms: usually supplied with a driver/operator and ideal for short jobs on roads
Working height, platform height and outreach
Working height is normally the platform height plus about 2 m, the reach of a person standing in the basket. Outreach is the horizontal distance from the machine to the basket. If you need to reach a roof over a parked car, measure both the height of the work and the distance from where the machine can stand.
Training and safety
Operators of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) should be trained for the category of machine they use. The IPAF PAL card is widely asked for on UK sites, with separate categories for scissor lifts and boom lifts. A harness with a short lanyard is normally worn in boom lifts. If you are working near a road or footpath, you may need barriers and a licence from the local highway authority.
Indicative prices
As a rough guide, an 8 m electric scissor lift is often hired for around £75 a day or £200 to £250 a week before VAT. A 16 m articulated boom lift is often around £700 a week before VAT. These are examples from individual hire companies, not Rentapa prices. Delivery, damage waiver and fuel are usually extra.
What to include in your request
- The task and the height of the work
- Indoor or outdoor, and ground or floor type
- Any obstacles between where the machine can stand and the work
- Width of doors or gates on the route
- Dates and how long you need the machine
- Full site address
Rentapa passes your request to hire companies covering your area, and they contact you directly with a price.
