by Susan Bowden
Choose the Right Equipment
When it comes to scissor lift hire, two of the most important considerations you need to make are its weight and height limits. The general rule of thumb is that the scissor lift ought to tackle more weight compared to what you want it to lift.
Scissor lifts can be broadly categorized into two groups, which are rough terrain and electric. When the task you have is mainly performed indoors, an electric scissor is the best option, and they are battery-powered, which means hazardous emissions are almost non-existent. These scissor lifts are mostly short, which makes them great for movement over solid or smooth slab surfaces.
On the other hand, rough terrain scissor lifts are powered by gas or diesel and are designed to handle rough, muddy, or uneven terrains. In terms of height, they can go beyond 50 feet and have a larger work platform than electric scissor lifts.
Lastly, there is another type of scissor lift called the hybrid scissor lift. These let you switch from diesel to battery as needed.
For most people, the obvious choice is the hydraulic scissor lift. This is because of their ease of operation. Additionally, some can run without requiring a power source.
Load and personnel capacity
You will need to take into consideration two load capacities, which are the personnel limit and weight capacity. To be compliant with OSHA standards, you must adhere to both of these. In case you don’t meet the total load for a certain lift, it doesn’t necessarily stop you from adding another staff to the platform.
Capacities vary a lot. For example, a 10-foot electric lift may handle a load of 750 pounds and could be rated for 2 people. On the other hand, a 50-foot diesel lift can handle 1,500 pounds and be used by six workers.
Examine the Condition of the Lift
Before you rush to sign the deal with your scissor lift hire Auckland provider, you should closely check the equipment to ensure there are no leaks in the airlift or hydraulic systems. Your inspection also serves to eliminate any worn-out cables, worn-out fasteners, and cracked frames.
Additionally, the lift should easily extend to full height. Some scissor lift hire services will offer an inspection report that gives you a glimpse into the maintenance schedule of the equipment, as well as parts recently replaced.
How big is your platform?
The size of the platform can make all the difference when it comes to safety and efficiency on the worksite. Wider platforms allow for better access and also require repositioning the lift fewer times in the course of the job. However, you must ensure the lift will comfortably fit in the available space.
There are also certain scissor lifts that can be fitted using powered deck extensions that give workers greater forward horizontal reach.
Understand Your Terrain
If you need to work on sloped or uneven terrain, the best option should be a 4WD, which is easily available in several rough-terrain scissor lifts as well as certain electric scissor lifts.
Another factor that you want to consider is ground clearance. In case you need to travel over debris or negotiate extremely rough terrain, you should go for a model that has higher ground clearance. This information is not obvious on rental charts, so you should inquire from the sales rep.
Work With a Reputable Company
The company you choose as your go-to provider for scissor lift hire is just as important as the above considerations. Before choosing scissor lift hire, Auckland residents should seek referrals and even look up the companies on the internet to ensure that their services are top-notch. Carry out due diligence to affirm that the company’s reputation is beyond reproach. If a company is repeatedly accused of failing to live up to the billing or poor customer service, you should avoid it like the plague.
Also, before you get down to their price structure, take a keen look at their terms and conditions. Here are some tips to help you:
- Does your scissor lift hire Auckland offer pick-up and delivery services?
- Are they insured to avoid liability in the event of accidents occurring at the jobsite?
- Does your chosen company have licensed and experienced staff to safely operate the lift?
- Check to find out that the company regularly conducts maintenance and repair.
- In case you plan to use the scissor lift that you have hired in different worksites, choose a company that permits moving the scissor lift.
- Only ask for quotes from services with favourable terms of hire. Ideally, you want a company that provides the best services at reasonable prices.
- Finally, stick to the laid-down safety protocols when you are using your scissor lift. One of these is locking the wheels when you are using the lift. Also, your employees need to have a fall protection system.
Conclusion
Depending on the nature of your business and how frequently you need a scissor lift, you can decide to hire or purchase it altogether. If you choose the option of scissor lift hire Auckland, you should know that several factors need to be considered. Firstly, you need to know the type of equipment to buy, choose a reputable company to work with, understand your terrain, and inspect the lift condition to ascertain that it is in great shape.
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