How to Buy a Scissor Lift
If you’re in the market to buy a scissor lift, the process can certainly be confusing, exciting, and anxious – especially if you’ve never been involved with buying one before.
Most scissor lift operators aren’t directly responsible for buying industrial equipment, but some companies like to get valuable input from operators. Their assessments and recommendations are helpful for purchasing departments when deciding which scissor lift they should purchase. This input includes:
•Daily operational requirements. Scissor lift operators are the best source of info on how long lifts are used each day, what type of work they’re used for, and other key factors.
•Work environment. Not all scissor lifts operate in the same workspace. Some are used for construction, while others are used for maintenance. Before buying a scissor lift, it’s a good idea to know what type of surroundings are involved – and scissor lift operators have this knowledge!
•Safety concerns. A scissor lift’s safety accessories – guide rails, safety harness attachments, fall protection components, etc. – are big factors to consider before buying a lift. With input from scissor lift employees, purchasing personnel will have a better understanding of which type of lift to buy
Safety issues are important from an equipment standpoint, but it’s also critical for operators as well.
Since maintenance is such a big part of scissor lift safety – we thought it would be a great idea to provide some tips and recommendations for scissor lift buys.
What to Do Before You Buy a Scissor Lift
Just like buying a car, a scissor lift purchase requires a list of functions you’re looking for, price considerations, and other important must-haves. You’d never walk into a dealership, look at the first car you see, and exclaim, “That’s the one for me!”
The same thing applies when you buy scissor lifts. With careful planning, solid research, and exceptional pre-purchase planning, your company has a better chance of buying a scissor lift that will be a dependable asset for years to come.
Here are some scissor lift purchase considerations:
•Mobility requirements. Make sure your scissor lift meets and exceeds your mobility standards. Some lifts are required to navigate ever-changing workspaces, while others are more or less stationary.
•Check safety accessories. Scissor lifts don’t reach as high as aerial lifts, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about issues like fall protection and other safety-related items. Check the manufacturer’s operating manual and carefully review all the safety features – they’ll probably come into play in the future!
•Measure everything. Ensure any potential scissor lift purchase has enough working space for personnel and materials. Lift requirements are also important; make sure your scissor lift provides enough vertical height to perform tasks. Have a tape measure on hand during equipment inspection to double-check clearances, widths, etc.
•Get the service history. Ask for the service history if you’re buying a used scissor lift. This is helpful for maintenance personnel, and also provides a snapshot of the lift’s usage. If the record includes too many red flags, or if the distributor can’t provide the service history, you can probably eliminate the lift from your potential purchases.
•Ask questions. Ask the dealer or distributor anything and everything. Also, ask yourself some questions about the scissor lift. How do the brakes perform? Does the engine start fine? Are the scissor lift’s fluids (oil, coolant, etc.) topped off? If not, why are they low? Does the framework have any problem spots? These and other questions will help you determine if the scissor lift is right for your company.
What to Consider When Making a Scissor Lift Purchase
Whenever you’re ready to buy a scissor lift, be sure to factor the following considerations into the equation:
✓ Lift Speed
The rate that your lift moves up and down can have a huge impact on your rate of productivity. Before you delve into scissor lift pricing specifics, first determine your minimum speed required. This will help narrow the field and make it obvious which models are right for your needs.
✓ Dimensions
Select a scissor lift that works within your space constraints. The last thing you want is to invest in equipment that can’t fit through your doorway.
✓Safety Features
Hoping to reduce the risk of workplace accidents? Before you buy a scissor lift, look into safety features like tilt alarms and anti-rollback.
✓ Electric vs. Rough Terrain
Most scissor lifts fall into one of two categories: electric or rough terrain. Electric scissor lifts are frequently used indoors. Because they run off of batteries, there’s no hazardous emissions to worry about. Rough terrain scissor lifts, on the other hand, tend to be fueled by gasoline or diesel. They’re ideal for working outdoors when terrain is uneven, muddy, or rough.
✓ Personnel Capacity and Load
Before making your scissor lift purchase, be sure to consider personnel limitations and weight capacity. These can vary greatly from one model to the next. Adding an additional worker to a platform isn’t always possible, even if they’re under the total weight limit.
✓ Size of Platform
Ideally, the platform of your new scissor lift should fit into the space available, offering both safety and efficiency. Wider platforms can provide easy access and require less repositioning.
✓ Cost
When you buy a scissor lift, let your budget guide your search. There’s no use in investing in expensive equipment that reaches 30 feet in the air when your warehouse only features 14 foot ceilings.
