Scissor Lift vs. ManLift: Which One Should You Rent for Your Project?

Working at height isn’t something you can take lightly. The right equipment makes all the difference, and that’s where scissor lifts and manlifts, often called boom lifts, come into play. You’ll see them everywhere: on construction sites, in warehouses, during building repairs, even when someone is putting up a massive billboard.

Although both fall under the broad category of aerial work platforms, they’re not the same. Each has its own design, lifting range, and weight capacity, and each fits very different kinds of jobs. Choose the wrong one, and you’re not just risking a delay or extra expense, you’re putting safety on the line too.

What Is a Scissor Lift?

Scissor lift is a lift with vertical movement of the platform, which operates like a mechanism in the form of “scissors”. It is distinguished by its stability and large working surface. This platform is suitable for simultaneous work of several employees and allows lifting up to 2,250 pounds. Scissor lift height usually does not exceed 50-60 feet. Due to the wide platform, this lift is actively used in warehouses, shopping malls, maintenance facilities and lighting installations.

A scissor lift is indispensable in conditions where only vertical lifting is required. Thanks to their electric models with zero emissions and quiet operation, they are used in rooms with limited ventilation: hospitals, schools or office buildings. For outdoor applications, there are diesel versions and rough terrain scissor lift, as well as rough terrain crane rental solutions equipped with four-wheel drive and reinforced tires. Scissor lifts rental are in high demand across Dubai, with electric models especially popular for indoor work and short-term projects.

What Is a Manlift?

The manlift or boom lift is a type of aerial lift with a retractable boom. There are telescopic and articulating models. The telescopic lift provides direct access to high altitude, and the articulating boom lift allows you to bypass obstacles such as trees, power lines, and protruding building elements.

The lifting height of the manlift can reach 300 feet, and the horizontal reach is up to 135 feet. The platform is designed for a lower load than a scissor lift: about 1,540 pounds and usually for one or two workers. Maneuverability and the possibility of horizontal movement make it indispensable on construction sites, when repairing bridges, facades and installing communications. The manlift rental service is popular for such tasks, as well as manlift rental Dubai for local contractors.

Comparing Features

• Lifting height: Scissor lift: up to 60 feet, manlift: up to 300 feet.
• Lifting capacity: Scissor lift: up to 2,250 lbs, manlift: about 1,540 lbs.
• Platform: Scissor lift provides a spacious workplace, manlift – a more compact one.
• Movement: Scissor lift is vertical only, manlift is vertical and horizontal with the ability to avoid obstacles.
• Stability: The scissor lift is stable on a flat surface. Manlift is versatile and able to work on uneven terrain.

Rent And Cost

Buying such equipment requires a lot of investment, so renting remains the most popular option. In Dubai, a scissor lift can be rented from 300 to 800 dirhams per day, weekly rent costs from 1,000 to 2,800 dirhams, and monthly rent costs from 3,000 to 8,000 dirhams. For companies that need a full range of services, there is heavy equipment rental company in UAE, which provides not only lifts, but also mobile crane rental, spider crane rental, crawler crane rental, and trailer rental Dubai.

The manlift will cost more: the average rental price varies from 300 to 1,500 dirhams per day, depending on the height and type of lift. Rental mobile crane and heavy lift company in UAE services are also actively offered here, especially for complex construction projects.

Safety And Regulations

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) classifies scissor lift as mobile scaffolding for construction tasks and as aerial lifts for industrial applications. In any case, the operator must be trained and have a certificate. Daily maintenance checks are required: inspection of tires, batteries, oil level, as well as monitoring for leaks. A prerequisite is the use of fall protection – safety systems, guards and belts.

Dubai and the UAE also have active safety standards governing work with heavy lifting projects, including the use of crawler crane rental and mobile crane rental.

Concluding remarks

The scissor lift is suitable when you need a steady vertical lift and a spacious work area. It can withstand heavy loads and remains stable even with long-term tasks. But if you have a height of hundreds of feet in front of you or work in places where you need to bypass beams, trees or lines, then you can’t do without a manlift.

In fact, it all comes down to the project itself. A scissor lift is sufficient for storage, lighting installation, or interior work. And if we are talking about the facade of a skyscraper or outdoor construction, the solution is obvious: choose a manlift.