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Scissor Lift VS Scaffold: Which Platform is The Best?

Scissor lift rental companies try hard to convince you that the scissor lift is the best solution to finish your work professionally and that it is better than scaffolding. On the other hand, scaffolding companies are struggling hard against the scissor lift and try to show that scaffolding is the best, in order to stop replacing scaffolding with the scissor lift and to preserve the glory of scaffolding which lasted for centuries.

Every company supports its industry and every company claims that it is the best because it wants to sell you its product or offer you its services, regardless of the truth.

As a customer, I wanted to determine which is the best, the scissor lift or scaffolding, before paying a penny. In this article, I will show you how I made my decision and the factors that you should take into account before getting involved in anything. And remember, I do not sell you anything, I'm just helping you make the right decision.

Note: There are some projects that can only be done with the scaffolding, construction of a building, for example. Other projects need a scissor lift that can not be replaced by any other equipment, such as assembly of structures like airplanes and storage of goods on very high shelves. Here, I am only talking about works that have freedom of choice

Now, you have work, be a wall painting, repair a building or even electrical work, but it is high. So you need a ladder, scaffold or a scissor lift in order to complete this work as it should be.

If you don't have the proper equipment to do the job correctly you are wasting your time and money. Also, choosing the wrong equipment may be expensive and hard to fix. The right choice saves your life, your time and your money.


There is no golden rule for determining which is the best as an access equipment, the scissor lift or scaffolding. But fortunately, there are 4 important questions you should ask yourself, Find their answers and you will decide who is the winner of this competition easily. You are the judge.

Q#1. What is the work site condition?
The first factor you have to keep in mind is the work site condition. Some work sites do not have sufficient space for you, your tools and equipment, using a scaffold can make it harder for you to move freely while doing your work and increase the danger of supplies falling. In this case, a compact size scissor lift with a narrower platform and high reach might be the right choice.

The relationship between width and height for scaffolding can be calculated simply by the ratio of 1:4 (1 base width to 4 height). Meaning the scaffold can be up to four times the minimum base width.

For example, a scaffolding structure with a base width of 5 ft (1.5 m) can have a height of up to 20ft (6 m). While a scissor lift with a base width of 3 ft (0.9 m) can have a height of up to 20ft (6 m) like GS2032.

If you can't erect a scaffold in narrow places, a scissor lift can give you an easy access to spots that you can't reach by using the scaffold.

If there is an obstacle on the ground between you and the work spot or you don't have access immediately next to the wanted work spot, then a scissor lift with a safe extension deck up to 36 in (0.9 m) will help you more than the scaffold.

If your workplace is outdoors on a public street or a pedestrian route then you may use a small and temporary scissor lift rather than scaffold that may block the road for a while.

Note that there are a number of different styles of scissor lifts that you can use depending on the surface of the area outside. If it is level and smooth, such as pavement, an electric scissor lift would work well, and it is the most compact. If the surface of the ground is uneven, full of gravel, with grass or mud, then you should use a rough terrain scissor lift.

If your work site is at the stairs or above the roof of a building then using a scissor lift would be very difficult almost impossible and any attempt to lift the scissor lift to the top of the building will be very difficult and expensive. In this case, the scaffold wins.

The bottom line is that you should inspect the site of work, whether it is fit to use scaffolding or you will need to use a scissor lift. If the site is suitable for both, the next question will definitely help.


The door is wide enough but it has to go over 2 wide steps to get inside and then drop down 1ft. to get to the area to be painted. If the lift isn't too heavy maybe it can be pushed down a couple of 2x12'

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Which platform saves your time?
By choosing the wrong platform, you are wasting your time, which means that you are wasting money and effort. In order to save your time as much as possible, the platform you will choose should be...

Easy to Setup
Imagine a hall with three or four walls needs to be painted.

In order to start the work, you will erect the scaffold in front of the first wall and when it is finished you will dismantle it and then re-erect at the second wall and so on until you finish four walls, and then dismantle again to return to the owner.

Or you will simply use a large scaffold on the perimeter of the four walls, which will be erected and dismantled only once, but this will be costly.

Taking into consideration that the scaffold erecting would be very difficult if only one person who will do the work, regardless of scaffold size.

On the other hand, you don't need to erect or dismantle the scissor lift, you just climb on the platform and lift yourself up in 10 seconds and put all your effort into action.

The only thing you should consider before using any scissor lift is that you have to make sure that the battery is fully charged or that it has sufficient fuel before start working.

Easy to Move
Instead of dismantling the scaffold and re-erecting it in another spot, you can use wheel scaffolding, in order to save some time and effort but it will cost you a few dollars more than a regular scaffold, knowing that you still have to descend from above the scaffold and then move it to the desired place and climb over again.

But make sure you measure out the area you are working in before moving the scaffold to get the unit to the right place safely.

And be careful, if you do not check the wheel brakes before you climb the surface of the scaffold, this may cost you more than money.

At the same time, you can drive and move the scissor lift from one place to another just like a toy, which is a real problem with scaffolding. Once finishing your working spot, you drive to the next which gives you the opportunity to buy any wasted time and follow your work schedule more effectively. 

The scissor lift is better than the scaffold for its maneuverability, most scissor lifts have zero internal radius with a full control of the machine which makes it easier to relocate with its small size than erecting scaffolding.

The scissor lift is a completely free standing equipment that provides you the ability to reach a larger area. Instead of the scaffold especially when you try to reach a high place, it often is resting against the wall, which may restrict your movement.

Scissor lift platform is relatively small for a regular scaffold, but you will be able to save more time by reaching a wider expanse of the wall, such as scaffolding, when using the extension deck without having to re-position the scissor lift.


Multi-Level platform
The real multi level platform should give you an easy access to every inch of your work spot. The scaffold is a multi level platform, but scissor lift is a super multi level platform.

Regular scaffolding has specific dimensions and standard levels so you can get a limited number of levels between two points.

In addition, you have to climb up and down to your own, which consumes a lot of effort as well as time.

While the scissor lift has an infinite number of levels between two points which can be paused at different heights as required, allowing you to make your way up or down, which gives you better and faster access to anywhere between 6 ft (1.8 m) to 60 ft (18 m) high with no effort.

Easy to Use
At this point, you may find the scaffold easier to use from the scissor lift and you may be right. Using the scaffold is as easy as going up and down stairs, it doesn't require any experience, just your effort is required, but you need to be careful.

Driving a car is too easy but it can be difficult for someone who has never had a car, the same thing with the scissor lift. As I mentioned above, operating a scissor lift is easy as playing a toy, you just have to learn how. You can visit my full guide: How to Operate Electric Scissor Lift to learn how to use it properly and to know how much it is easy.

However, I would rent a scissor lift with an operator if I don't have enough experience for saving my time.

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Which is safer?

In any job in the world, choosing the right equipment can make all the difference when it comes to safety and this is the same for scissor lifts and scaffolding. The cost of work injuries worth to be considered. 

Safety Rail
Scissor lift platforms have safety features that are designed to protect you against falling or other accident. Scissor lift comes with a railing around the whole platform with a gate where you can mount and dismount the platform. In most cases, you are required to wear a safety harness that can be clipped to the railing.

Basically, scissor lift is used to gain a safe working environment to high locations of a building or wherever you need to get safely at height.

Stability

2.SAFETY
Scaffolding and ladders are dangerous; to operate on them safely requires extra staff to supervise, along with regular safety checks. They can also be difficult to use in adverse weather conditions, as the materials they are made from have little grip. Scissor lifts offer a stable base, outriggers can be planted for extra safety, and high sides so falls from this type of elevated work platform are very rare. You want to make sure you get home to your family safely each night!

However, to be safe, all of these things should be operated by experienced people, and it sounds as if you are not experienced. I suggest you hire out the painting to someone who can do it safely.

Scissor lifts are usually used for safely accessing high places.

More stable than a ladder, you can have more than one person working on it like scaffolding,




While using a ladder always maintain 3 points of contact with the ladder to ensure stability. Also, never attempt to reach for something while on the ladder. It is much safer to get off the ladder, move it, and then climb back up.

Another common contributing factor to ladder accidents is the use of old, worn, or damaged ladders. Like everything else, ladders have a shelf life; after a couple of years the stress of being climbed up and down on causes ladders to break down. Damaged ladders are extremely dangerous as they can easily break while being used and cause serious injuries.

To protect yourself from damaged or broken ladders, make sure to thoroughly inspect each ladder before using it. If any damage is found, do not use the ladder until it has been safely repaired to the manufacturer’s specifications or it has been replaced عمر السقالة و السيسور لفت



حوادث Another consideration when selecting the appropriate ladder for a job is the necessary height of the ladder. Many injuries occur due to ladders being too short for a specific task, and instead of selecting a new ladder for the job, workers will place the ladder on something to extend its reach or will stand on the top rung to gain the necessary height. Both scenarios are extremely dangerous and can result in serious injuries.

Ladder accidents are extremely common even though they are entirely preventable. Ladder accidents can come from a wide variety of issues but the following four causes account for the vast majority. If these simple loss prevention tips for each cause are followed, ladder accidents could almost be eliminated.

4,500 injuries and over 60 deaths every year (Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2003 and 2004 data for the private sector)

Every year, on average, three Victorians are killed falling off ladders! بحث عن حوادث السقالة ؤالمصعد


Weight capacity
Each scaffold and scissor lift are designed to support a maximum weight limit and if you exceed that limit, the equipment could break or damage and cause you to fall or become injured.

In general, an electric scissor lift can carry 40 pounds per square ft (about 195 kg per square meter), while a medium duty scaffold can carry 50 pounds per square ft (about 245 kg per square meter).  

Many accidents involving scaffolding are often due to overloaded scaffolding, so make sure to calculate the net weight you will need in your work before renting any scissor lift or scaffold, then choose the model of scissor lift or the type of scaffolding that will fit.

2. The platforms are strong and versatile. Scissor lift platforms can hold the weight of two to four men and their tools,

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All that said, weigh your option carefully and really know what you're getting yourself into - especially on the lead issue!

Once you have the answer to these questions sorted you will be able to easily figure out how much you should be spending by requesting a quote from our team who will take you through the most effective rental solution for your requirements.
Bottom line, safety, and quality are the top priority when painting the exterior of your home.
at the end of this article

The advantages of a scissor lift over ladders or scaffolding is security and speed. With a ladder, there is always going to be a worry that you can fall off it easily whilst concentrating on your work, or if the ladder feet slip you can have a nasty accident. With a scissor lift, you have four wheels and potentially outriggers to plant into the ground to make it extra secure. That has a very low chance of moving unless you want it to - some let you move the lift while the platform is raised up. Within the platform, you wear a harness which is connected to the railings so even if the worst happens and you fall out, the harness will save you.


A Light-Duty scaffold could carry 25 pounds per square ft (about 120 kg per square meter), a Medium-Duty scaffold could carry 50 pounds per square ft (about 245 kg per square meter), a Heavy-Duty scaffold could carry 75 pounds per square ft (about 360 kg per square meter).

How much is your time worth?

Usually, I would use a scissor lift if it is temporary and conditions are OK. Sometimes scaffolding needs to be erected if there is an unusual condition or the scissor lift won't work but there will be a lot of work to setup and move.

And Note that any work you do for the first time often takes longer than you think.
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How much money do you have?

Scaffolding: $100 per day.
Scissor Lift $180 per day.

5.COST
If there is a holiday, extreme weather or even a weekend in your work schedule, the cost of leaving hired scaffolding in place, or dismantling and re-erecting it, means the costs escalate even when no work is being done. Using hired access equipment means that the running costs stop as soon as your workers do.

make sure they're paying you enough to either 1. rent a scaffold or scissor lift for yourself, if you don't already own one. Or 2. have them provide one for you.

This question is really common as more and more people are starting to use scissor lifts. Scissor lift rentals have become very popular over the past few year as scissor lifts have been a natural replacement to ladders and scaffolding due to its versatility.

Before making the scissor lift rental decision you must understand which kind you will need.

There are 2 main types of scissor lifts:
Indoor Electric Scissor Lift
Rough Terrain Fueled Scissor Lift

The rental cost of scissor lifts mostly depends on their reach. Rough terrain are generally more expensive that indoors scissor lift rentals. The rental period for a scissor lift can vary from daily, weekly and monthly rates and usually extended rentals offer customers better pricing.

On average the scissor lift rental price is $100 to $150 per day. Weekly rates can be from $350 to $500. Monthly rates can range from $800 to $1,500 or more depending on the size of the lift. Since scissor lifts require delivery and pickup, there is usually an added fee of about $150 for those services.


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