A scissor lift is simply a mobile industrial machine that serves to lift personnel up in the air to access the heights in various workplace applications. This machine affords you a very robust platform from which you can work from. The industry name for scissor lifts is mobile elevated work platform. They acquired their name from the contour of the struts underneath the work platform, which are pivoted and appear like sets of scissors attached.
Scissor lifts may use pneumatic, hydraulic or mechanical power to broaden in height, and are available in different types and sizes. There are various applications of scissor lifts mentioned below, and why facility managers would choose them over other lifting equipment:
Applications of a scissor lift
The use of a scissor lift comes in handy whenever you have to go high up and where you would conventionally use a tower, scaffolding or a ladder.
- Accessing towering stock shelves in a warehouse or stockroom
- Changing point of sale signs or street lighting
- Repairing roll-over doors
- Maintaining and cleaning gutter systems
- Cleaning tall windows
- Inspecting roofs
- Trimming trees
Two main advantages
Scissor lifts performs the same work as ladders and scaffolding, however, why would operators opt for this form of lifting mechanism?
Safety
As far as ladders are concerned, there is always that nagging concern about the possibility of falling while high up there especially if the ladder feet trips. In contrast, a scissor lift features four wheels and outriggers to lodge into the ground to boost its stability. Consequently, there is little or no chance of it moving. Moreover, the weight of the cargo being hoisted is shared evenly, due to the lift's perpendicular motion underneath a flat platform. Further to that, the lift operator puts on a harness, which is attached to the railings, which means that if the worst occurs and they drop down, the harness is there to save them.
Time factor
If you choose to use a scaffolding or tower, you will have to set up the safety equipment mentioned above such as the guardrails. As far as a scissor lift is concerned, you simply drive up, get on board and get as high as possible in a matter of seconds. No time wasted, straight away with the task.
Where can I obtain one?
If you are only going to utilise a scissor lift infrequently, the best option would be to consider scissor lift hire. If you choose to lease a scissor lift hire, opt for reputed industry names as they are better placed to match your requirements with the appropriate equipment for you. Contact a company like Scaffolding Hire to learn more.
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