What Size Scissor Lift Do I Need?

Choosing the right scissor lift isn’t simply a matter of hiring the tallest machine available. So what size scissor lift do I need?

Go too small and you may not have the reach you need. Go unnecessarily large and you could end up with a machine that’s more difficult to transport, manoeuvre or position around the site.

At Scissor Digger Hire, we have scissor lifts ranging from compact electric machines through to larger all-terrain and tracked options. The right choice starts with a simple question:

How high do you actually need to work?

For a warehouse in Geelong, that could mean reaching lighting, ducting, pallet racking or services beneath the roof. On a construction site, it might be access to eaves, cladding or elevated structural work. For a commercial fitout, it could be installing electrical, plumbing or mechanical services above ceiling level.

Once you know the height of the work area, choosing the right scissor lift becomes much easier.

Platform Height and Working Height: What’s the Difference?

One of the most important things to understand when comparing scissor lifts is the difference between platform height and working height.

Platform height refers to the maximum height of the platform floor when the machine is fully raised.

Working height takes into account the additional reach of the operator standing on the platform. As a general guide, manufacturers commonly calculate working height at around 2 metres above platform height, although the specifications of the individual machine should always be checked.

This means you don’t necessarily need a platform that rises all the way to the height of the area you’re working on.

For example, if you’re working at approximately 6 metres above floor level, a scissor lift with a platform height around 4 metres may provide the reach you need.

The important thing is to work from the height of the job rather than simply choosing a machine based on the biggest number.

What Scissor Lift Heights Are Available?

Scissor Digger Hire has a range of machines for different working heights and site conditions around Geelong and surrounding areas.

Our scissor lift range includes:

These different sizes mean we can cover everything from relatively straightforward indoor maintenance through to higher outdoor construction work.

But height alone shouldn’t determine which one you hire.

The machine still needs to suit the access, surface and working conditions on your site.

15ft Scissor Lift: Compact Access for Lower-Level Work

A 15ft electric scissor lift is a useful option when you don’t need substantial height and space is limited.

For indoor maintenance, workshops, warehouses and commercial buildings, a compact machine can often be easier to manoeuvre than a larger lift.

Typical jobs might include accessing lighting, electrical services, signage, ceilings and other lower-level work where ladders aren’t practical.

If a 15ft machine comfortably gives you the reach you need, there’s little benefit in bringing a much larger scissor lift onto the site.

19ft Scissor Lift: A Versatile Option for Indoor Jobs

The 19ft electric scissor lift provides additional height while remaining well suited to many indoor applications.

It’s a practical choice for warehouse maintenance, electrical work, commercial fitouts and general building maintenance where you’re operating on a smooth, level surface.

Scissor Digger Hire also has a 19ft tracked self-levelling scissor lift for jobs where access or ground conditions require something different from a conventional electric slab machine.

Two machines may provide similar height but be designed for very different environments, which is why it’s important to consider where the lift will actually be working.

26ft Scissor Lift: When You Need More Reach

For higher work, the Haulotte 10N 26ft electric scissor lift provides additional reach while retaining the advantages of an electric machine.

This can make it useful for higher warehouse, industrial and commercial applications where a smaller 15ft or 19ft lift simply won’t reach.

For outdoor work, our 26/32ft Haulotte all-terrain diesel scissor lifts provide another option where the ground conditions aren’t suitable for a standard electric machine.

Again, the height might be similar, but the machine you choose will depend heavily on where it’s being used.

32ft Scissor Lift: Higher Access and More Working Space

When the job requires greater height, a 32ft scissor lift can provide the additional reach needed for larger commercial, industrial and construction projects.

Our wide-platform option can also be useful where the work requires more room on the platform for operators, tools or materials.

For outdoor sites, the 32ft Haulotte all-terrain diesel option is designed for more demanding site conditions.

This is where simply asking for “a 32ft scissor lift” isn’t always enough. Tell us what you’re doing and where you’re doing it, and we can help identify which type of machine makes the most sense.

Electric, Tracked or All-Terrain?

Once you’ve worked out the height you need, the next consideration is the site itself.

Electric scissor lifts are generally best suited to smooth, level surfaces such as concrete floors. They’re a good fit for warehouses, factories, workshops and commercial buildings where quiet operation and manoeuvrability are important.

Tracked scissor lifts can provide an alternative where access or ground conditions make a conventional wheeled machine less suitable. Our 19ft tracked self-levelling scissor lift is particularly useful for jobs where the machine needs to deal with more challenging site conditions.

All-terrain diesel scissor lifts are designed for outdoor construction environments where you’re dealing with rougher or unsealed surfaces. Our 26ft and 32ft Haulotte machines provide the reach needed for larger outdoor projects without relying on a machine designed primarily for smooth indoor floors.

The key is to match both the height and the type of machine to the job.

Don’t Forget About Site Access

It’s easy to concentrate on how high a scissor lift will go and forget about how you’re going to get it into position.

Before booking, look at the entire route the machine needs to travel.

Are there doorways or gates to pass through? How wide are the aisles? Is there sufficient overhead clearance? Are there tight corners? Will the machine be travelling over concrete, gravel, grass or another surface?

A machine might have exactly the height you need but still be unsuitable if it can’t reach the work area.

Taking a few measurements before you hire can save considerable inconvenience when the machine arrives.

Platform Capacity Matters Too

Height isn’t the only number worth checking.

The rated platform capacity needs to cover everyone and everything travelling on the platform, including operators, tools, equipment and materials.

This becomes particularly important when two people need to work at height or when the job involves carrying heavier tools or materials.

A larger platform may also make some jobs easier by giving operators more room to work without constantly repositioning equipment.

When discussing your hire, let us know what you’ll be taking onto the platform as well as how high you need to reach.

An Example: Choosing a Scissor Lift for a Geelong Warehouse

Imagine you’re carrying out maintenance in a Geelong warehouse and need to reach lighting or services several metres above the floor.

The first step is to establish the actual working height required.

From there, we can look at which machine provides sufficient reach. If the warehouse has a smooth concrete floor, an electric scissor lift may be the obvious choice. Depending on the height, that could mean anything from one of our compact 15ft or 19ft machines through to the 26ft Haulotte.

The next step is checking access.

Can the machine get through the warehouse entrance? Are there narrow aisles or other restrictions? Is there enough room to manoeuvre once inside?

Those practical considerations are often just as important as the maximum height printed on the machine.

Before You Book a Scissor Lift

Before arranging scissor lift hire in Geelong, it’s worth checking a few things:

• Measure the height of the area you need to reach.
• Confirm whether the machine specification refers to platform height or working height.
• Consider whether you’re working indoors or outdoors.
• Check whether the surface is level concrete, gravel, grass or uneven ground.
• Measure doors, gates and other access points.
• Check aisle widths and turning space.
• Consider how many people will be on the platform.
• Allow for the weight of tools and materials.
• Tell us about any unusual access or site conditions.

You don’t necessarily need to know exactly which scissor lift you need before getting in touch.

Give us a clear idea of the job and we’ll help you narrow down the options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between platform height and working height?

Platform height is the maximum height of the platform floor when the scissor lift is fully raised.

Working height takes into account the additional reach of the person standing on the platform. As a general guide, manufacturers often calculate this at approximately 2 metres above platform height, although you should always check the specifications for the individual machine.

What size scissor lift do I need?

Start by working out how high you need to reach.

From there, consider where the machine will be operating, the available access, ground conditions, number of operators and what equipment or materials need to travel on the platform.

If you’re unsure, tell us about the job and we can help you choose from our 15ft, 19ft, 26ft and 32ft scissor lift options.

What size scissor lift do I need for a 6 metre ceiling?

You don’t necessarily need a platform that rises the full 6 metres.

Because working height allows for the operator’s reach above the platform, a smaller machine may be suitable. Check the manufacturer’s working-height specification rather than relying on platform height alone.

If you tell us exactly what you’re trying to reach, we can help you determine which machine is suitable.

Can I use an electric scissor lift outdoors?

It depends on the machine and the site conditions.

Electric slab scissor lifts are primarily suited to smooth, firm and level surfaces. For more challenging outdoor conditions, a tracked or all-terrain machine may be more appropriate.

Tell us what the ground is like when you enquire and we can help you choose a suitable option.

Do you have scissor lifts for uneven ground?

Yes. In addition to our electric scissor lifts, Scissor Digger Hire has a 19ft tracked self-levelling scissor lift and 26/32ft Haulotte all-terrain diesel scissor lifts for more demanding site conditions.