An aerial lift, also known as a man lift or construction lift, allows you to reach high work areas, such as windows, roofs, ceilings, treetops, and HVAC equipment. Aerial lift can perform different tasks, from moving materials to lifting workers to high areas. With the right and stable aerial platform, an aerial lift offers your workers the power and support to do the job efficiently and safely.
Aerial lifts mainly fall into three categories: boom lifts, scissor lifts, and telehandlers. They may seem similar, but each lift serves a unique purpose. Different jobs and environments may need to use different aerial lifts. Before getting one, you will need to understand its features and the job you need to get done.
There are many aerial lifts you can find in the market. Here are some of the common types of aerial lifts you can find. Get to know more about these common aerial lifts, and you will get to understand more about them in this article.
Get To Know More About Aerial Lifts
Common Aerial Lifts #1 – Scissor Lifts
Scissor lifts are platforms that can raise and lower heavy loads and workers. The scissor lift is designed to be raised directly above the base. Stability is the unique feature of a scissor lift, and it can be distinguished from other aerial lifts.
Scissor lifts have the same purpose as ladders and scaffolding, but it has a more reliable reach and carrying capacity. Scissor lifts are one of the common aerial lifts that have helped many businesses increase their productivity and decrease costs.
A scissor lift is perfect for heavy-duty loading and unloading. If there are any permanent or semi-permanent installations in a location where workers need to raise and lower heavy equipment and materials, scissor lifts are also a perfect choice.
Common types of scissor lifts:
Electric scissor lift: It has a wide aerial platform, cross-brace supports and operates quietly. It is designed to move straight up and down. You can operate it safely if you need to use it in a tight spot. As you can’t move it forward or backward, you need to place it directly beneath the area you need to access. It can transport large teams and their equipment up to 60 feet. Scissor lifts are definitely one of the efficient ways to reach great heights in a small narrow space.
Rough-Terrain scissor lift: It works the same way as an electric one. The biggest difference is that the rough-terrain scissor lift is designed for use on rough or uneven terrain. Rough-terrain scissor lifts can tackle terrain that would bog down other machinery due to their more stable tires and diesel engine. It can be frustrating when you can’t access a work site, but rough-terrain scissor is definitely the perfect choice to take up this job.
Single-man scissor lift: Single-man scissor lifts are built for portability. Only a single worker can work once at a time. It is often light enough to be pushed around. Single-man scissor lifts have a load capacity of 300-500 lbs. and a reach of 17-46 ft.
Common Aerial Lifts #2 – Boom Lifts
Boom lifts are another common type of aerial lift. It is often known as a man lift, cherry picker, and basket crane. It is similar to scissor lifts, but they can reach higher heights. They are equipped to maneuver around obstacles. Boom lifts can be used to transport personnel and materials to high heights.
A basic boom lift consists of a grounded base, a platform or bucket, and a hydraulic lift system powering a crane. Some boom lifts are attached to a truck or van, making them easy to transport.
Boom lifts can reach up to 30 to 170 feet and are either electrically powered or powered by IC engines. They are useful for accessing areas that are hard to reach and could be potentially dangerous. Boom lifts are often used by construction, firefighters, electricians, and sometimes even window cleaners.
The common type of boom lifts:
Articulating boom lift: Also known as knuckle lifts. The aerial platform is attached to a bendable, jointed arm. It has a variety of uses. It can reach heights up to 100 feet. It can usually be used in areas such as repairs and maintenance tasks at height, working in tight spaces, or lifting a single worker into a confined space. They have the potential to reach areas that other aerial lifts can’t. The base of the arm is mounted to a turntable, which allows articulating boom lift to make a full circular rotation. With multiple joints, it has the flexibility to bend over and around obstacles.
Telescopic boom lift: Same as articulating boom lift, it can reach up to 100 feet. The main difference between these two lifts is that the telescopic boom lift has a platform attached to an arm that can move up, down, and forward. Most of the time, it is used for trimming trees or making electrical repairs at a height. You can find these lifts in electric and gas models. It is a good choice for indoor and outdoor projects.
Common Aerial Lifts #3 – Telehandlers
Also known as a telehandler, it is a rough terrain variable reaching forklifts. It is similar to a telescopic boom lift but is fitted with a lifting attachment. Telehandlers operate like a forklift but can reach a greater height and are mostly used in the agricultural and construction industries.
Most telehandlers you see in the market come with a 4-wheel drive chassis equipped with a telescopic boom. It provides lift heights of at least 50 feet. The telescopic boom can move the load forwards and upwards.
Telehandlers are often compared to cranes because they both elevate loads. However, telehandlers are better at picking up loads from cargo areas, such as getting the load inside a trailer. Telehandlers are often more practical and efficient compared to cranes. The ability of the telehandler to reach out in front gives the operator more flexibility in the placement of the load.
The common type of telehandlers
Telescopic handler: This is a standard telehandler where the arm can go up and down, in and out. It can reach from 18 to 55 feet. The load capacity is between 5,500 to 12,000 lbs.
Rotating telehandler: It is similar to the telescopic handler, but the rotating telehandler can move the arm in the same motions. It can move the arm to swivel 360 degrees, allowing the telehandler to service a wider area.
Established in 2011, Avanz Asia Pte Ltd has grown in leadership in the rental industry, leasing, and sales of industrial machinery comprising elevated mobile platforms (MEWP), material handling equipment (MHE), forklift, warehouse equipment and other industrial machinery.
We understand our customer’s business needs and are ready to serve and distribute the machinery equipment and energy-saving tools of international standard quality with world-class products.
