Are you facing construction or maintenance projects that require you to work above ground level? If so, you’re going to need a boost. Depending on your work site and the nature of your job, you’ll want to consider a boom lift or a scissor lift. If your project is in the Downtown area of Wichita, KS, or a rural construction site in Butler County, we have the equipment to help you reach the height you need.
Boom lifts move vertically and horizontally; scissor lifts only move vertically. While boom lifts have a taller vertical reach, scissor lifts have bigger platforms with higher weight capacities, allowing them to carry multiple people AND loads of material.
We’ll explain the major differences between boom lifts and scissor lifts to help you choose the right equipment for your next construction project. Click here to see a complete list of Trinity’s aerial fleet.
What Is a Boom Lift?
A boom lift is a type of aerial lift used to transport workers on construction sites, farms, along utility lines, and other spots. It is made up of a platform or bucket that is connected to a hydraulic arm and a grounded, movable base. Boom lifts can be used by lift operators to lengthen their vertical or horizontal reach or to work at an angle in complex workspaces. Boom lifts from Trinity Sales and Rental in Wichita, KS are a great option in Kansas and Oklahoma for your commercial or industrial construction project.
A boom lift’s primary components are a platform or bucket with a long arm attached to a grounded base. A hydraulic lift system controls the arm, allowing it to extend out and up to carry people or materials to new heights.
Boom lifts are classified into two different types: articulating boom lifts and telescopic boom lifts. Telescopic boom lifts have straight arms, whereas articulating boom lifts have bent arms. Telescopic boom lifts have greater weight capacities, whereas the bending ability of an articulating boom lift makes moving the bucket around objects easier. Here are some pros and cons to choosing a boom lift for your construction or maintenance project:
Pros
- Some boom lifts are heavy to provide proper counter weight so the operator can safely reach over an obstacle or space unsafe to drive on.
- Boom lifts extend to great lift heights.
- Boom lifts are highly maneuverable.
Cons
- Smaller platforms or buckets limit how much it can carry.
- Platforms typically have room for just one worker.
- Typically more expensive to rent than a scissor lift.
Types of Boom Lifts
Boom lifts are classified into two different types: articulating boom lifts and telescopic boom lifts. Telescopic boom lifts have straight arms, whereas articulating boom lifts have bent arms. Telescopic boom lifts have greater weight capacities, whereas the bending ability of an articulating boom lift makes moving the bucket around objects easier.
What Is a Scissor Lift?
A scissor lift is a piece of equipment with a large aerial work platform supported by a series of braces. These braces squeeze together to push the platform up. The base of the scissor lift needs to sit on flat, stable ground directly aside from the workspace for the project to be accessible to those on the lift.
Scissor lifts can extend from 10 feet up to 60 feet high in a straight vertical direction. They’re available in electric versions that can be used indoors and are ideal for providing vertical access so you can stack or unload inventory. They also come in four-wheel-drive, rough-terrain models that can navigate uneven outdoor ground areas.
Pros
- Scissor lifts have large platforms and allow for heavier weight capacity.
- Scissor design can add stability.
- Scissor lifts can be used indoors or outdoors.
- Scissor lifts are typically cheaper to rent than boom lifts.
Cons
- Cannot reach as high as the greatest heights reached by a boom lift.
- Not as maneuverable as a boom lift.
- Must be placed directly adjacent to the work area for best access.
2 Main Types of Scissor Lifts
Electric
- Ideal for indoor use.
- Maneuverable in tight spaces.
- Zero emissions; good for the environment and enclosed spaces.
Diesel
- More powerful than other kinds of scissor lifts.
- Can carry more weight in the form of workers and materials.
- Used for four-wheel-drive lifts equipped to handle rough terrain.
Boom Lift vs. Scissor Lift
When thinking about what kind of lift to rent, assess what kind of job you’re doing, the location, how much power you need, and your budget. There’s a big range in the pricing for renting different types of lifts, whether you’re looking at boom lifts or scissor lifts.
Here are a few factors you can consider:
- How high do you need to go? Boom lifts, in general, can give you access to areas that are higher up, while scissor lifts can be a good choice for areas up to 50 feet high, depending on the area where you’re working.
- What direction do you need to move in? If you need to go straight up and down, a scissor lift could be a good choice.
- What is the Jobsite terrain? Rough terrain scissor lifts and boom lifts, powered by diesel fuel, can be effective on uneven or rocky terrain.
- What is your budget? Boom lifts can range in price from $500 to $3,500 a week, depending on how big they are and what they can do. Scissor lifts are generally cheaper, ranging from $250 to $1,000 a week.
5 Main Differences Between a Boom Lift and a Scissor Lift
Height
Boom lift: Telescopic lifts can raise workers anywhere from 30 to 210 feet; articulating lifts can extend from 30 to 135 feet. The most versatile can go two or even three times higher than a scissor lift, to reach areas that may otherwise be too far up.
Scissor lift: Scissor lifts can raise workers up to 60 feet, which can allow them to reach many worksites, raising workers up to 4 stories high.
Direction
Boom lift: Many lift bases can rotate workers 360 degrees. Telescopic lifts can direct workers straight up or outward, or a combination of the two. Articulating lifts can go even further, providing access to obstacles in tight spaces.
Scissor lift: Scissor lifts are limited to straight up-and-down (vertical) lifts, so workers need to be adjacent to the area they’re working on.
Platform capacity
Boom lift: Boom lifts can carry up to 500 pounds, making them effective for small and moderate loads.
Scissor lift: Heavier models can bear heavier loads. For example, A 19-foot electric lift might be able to lift 500 pounds, while a 53-foot rough-terrain scissor lift might carry up to 1,500 pounds.
Terrain
Boom lift: Diesel boom lifts may be equipped with tough treading on their tires, making them well-suited to outdoor maintenance and construction jobs. They can be used on uneven, rutted, or rocky ground.
Scissor lift: Some models come with four-wheel-drive engines and are fueled by powerful diesel engines that are specifically designed to work on rough terrain.
Budget
Boom lifts are generally more expensive than scissor lifts.
Boom lift vs scissor lift
Trinity Sales & Rental Can Provide Equipment For Your Next Project In Kansas or Oklahoma
When your next project requires an aerial lift, visit our website for information and pictures of our 40 different unique models of aerial lifts. Trinity Sales has staff experienced and available to ensure your safe usage of a scissor lift and boom lift. If you want to rent an aerial lift in Wichita, KS, call Trinity Sales and Rental at 316-942-5555 or come to our convenient location at 2225 S West St, Wichita, KS 67213. We will supply you with more than one option to get you up safely to do a task from 13’ to 180’ Trinity Sales has many options of lifts to help you get your work done.
