10 Factors to Consider Before Renting a Lift
Feb. 1 2018
Industrial
We've gathered some of the best information from our experts at Best Line Equipment on factors to consider before renting a boom lift, fork lift, or scissor lift. Going over this checklist will help make sure your next rental is as smooth and cost effective as possible.
10 Factors to Consider Before Renting a Lift:
1. Working height: Where will the work be performed? This will determine the height requirement and model needed. For overhead work, a vertical lift is best. For outreach application, you'd want a telescopic lift. For obstructed work areas an articulating boomwould be the best choice. Know the definition of working height. You may need to reach a 25-ft working height, so you'd think you need a 25-ft scissor lift, but actually if you have a 19-ft lift with a 6-ft tall person in the basket, you get the same reach and it's 35% less expensive.
2. People/Tools/Equipment: Knowing the amount of personnel needed and the required equipment and tools for the job will reveal the platform capacity you'll need and also if you'll need AC power.
1. Working height: Where will the work be performed? This will determine the height requirement and model needed. For overhead work, a vertical lift is best. For outreach application, you'd want a telescopic lift. For obstructed work areas an articulating boomwould be the best choice. Know the definition of working height. You may need to reach a 25-ft working height, so you'd think you need a 25-ft scissor lift, but actually if you have a 19-ft lift with a 6-ft tall person in the basket, you get the same reach and it's 35% less expensive.
2. People/Tools/Equipment: Knowing the amount of personnel needed and the required equipment and tools for the job will reveal the platform capacity you'll need and also if you'll need AC power.
3. Outdoor/Indoor: Is the job indoors or outdoors? For indoors, an electric or propane power source is used. For outdoors, you're generally going to want a diesel or gas powered source.
4. Jobsite Terrain: A four wheel drive unit will be ideal for most applications.
5. Tires: Depending on the conditions, you may have many options here. You can select traditional pneumatic tires or go with foam-filled tires to avoid flats. High-flotation tires work best in certain turf situations, and solid, non-marking tires are designed for use on wood flooring, tile, or marble surfaces. Indoor jobs call for fixed-axle or 2WD units with non-marking tires. Outdoor jobs generally call for oscillating axles and 4WD, with rough terrain tires.
4. Jobsite Terrain: A four wheel drive unit will be ideal for most applications.
5. Tires: Depending on the conditions, you may have many options here. You can select traditional pneumatic tires or go with foam-filled tires to avoid flats. High-flotation tires work best in certain turf situations, and solid, non-marking tires are designed for use on wood flooring, tile, or marble surfaces. Indoor jobs call for fixed-axle or 2WD units with non-marking tires. Outdoor jobs generally call for oscillating axles and 4WD, with rough terrain tires.
6. Available Power: You'll want an electric powered scissor lift to have enough battery power to last an 8-10 hour day. Keep in mind, that to fully recharge the unit, the batteries need 8 hour of constant electricity while the unit isn't in use. New jobsites often have temporary generators that only run during working hours, which gives little to no opportunity to change the lift.
7. Working Area Access: Consider the total work area. If you're working in a ceiling grid or in between piping or other obstacles or fixtures, a full-length scissor might not be able to fit into the working area overhead. In this case, a single-person personnel lift that has a narrower, smaller basket would be better.
8. Lift Weight: Look at lift weight, as well. Since contractor weight estimates will likely be low, if the job calls for lifting 1000 lbs., then a contractor should consider a machine that can lift 1200 to 1500 lbs. This ensures maximum performance.
9. Bulky Basket Items: Mechanical contractor customers, for example, often have large, bulky items in their baskets. This application requires a wide scissor rather than a 32-in narrow unit that would normally be used for getting into confined areas. Similarly, insulation contractors often want rough terrain scissors even though they are working inside. This allows workers to store large bundles of insulation in the basket. The more they carry means fewer trips to the ground to reload and ultimately more productivity.
10. Building Access: A standard door is 34-36in wide. Electric scissor lifts usually come in 32-46in widths. If there isn't a double door, there won't be access for the operator to fit the wider lift into the building.
Renting a boom lift, fork lift, or scissor lift should be easy and painless. Taking all of the above factors into consideration before your next project will ensure that you're able to make the best-informed decision for your equipment needs and not spend more money than you have to. For more information, please contact one of our Aerial experts today! 1-800-679-BEST or visit our website to check out our Aerial fleet at www.BestLine.com.
7. Working Area Access: Consider the total work area. If you're working in a ceiling grid or in between piping or other obstacles or fixtures, a full-length scissor might not be able to fit into the working area overhead. In this case, a single-person personnel lift that has a narrower, smaller basket would be better.
8. Lift Weight: Look at lift weight, as well. Since contractor weight estimates will likely be low, if the job calls for lifting 1000 lbs., then a contractor should consider a machine that can lift 1200 to 1500 lbs. This ensures maximum performance.
9. Bulky Basket Items: Mechanical contractor customers, for example, often have large, bulky items in their baskets. This application requires a wide scissor rather than a 32-in narrow unit that would normally be used for getting into confined areas. Similarly, insulation contractors often want rough terrain scissors even though they are working inside. This allows workers to store large bundles of insulation in the basket. The more they carry means fewer trips to the ground to reload and ultimately more productivity.
10. Building Access: A standard door is 34-36in wide. Electric scissor lifts usually come in 32-46in widths. If there isn't a double door, there won't be access for the operator to fit the wider lift into the building.
Renting a boom lift, fork lift, or scissor lift should be easy and painless. Taking all of the above factors into consideration before your next project will ensure that you're able to make the best-informed decision for your equipment needs and not spend more money than you have to. For more information, please contact one of our Aerial experts today! 1-800-679-BEST or visit our website to check out our Aerial fleet at www.BestLine.com.