Working outdoors makes completely different demands than working indoors: the ground is uneven, it is windy, and the machine has to get through gravel and mud. For that you need a larger scissor lift built for rough terrain.
Outdoor scissor lifts have large treaded wheels, higher ground clearance and usually four-wheel drive. Many also have hydraulic levelling that keeps the platform level when the chassis is on a slope.
They are more powerful and heavier than indoor models, and give greater working height — 10–18 metres is common. The platform can often be extended outwards, so you can work closer to the façade.
Even a rough-terrain lift will sink into soft mud. Check the ground conditions before the machine arrives, and lay out ground mats if necessary. After rain, a building site that was passable on Monday can be impassable by Wednesday.
Gradients and slopes have limits. The machines have built-in monitoring systems that refuse to lift when the incline is too steep, and that limit is often stricter than people expect. Describe the terrain when you book and you will get the right model.
All lifts have a maximum wind speed, typically around 12.5 m/s for outdoor models. Above that, the platform must not be raised. On the coast and at altitude, that means the working day can be cancelled by the weather.
Boards, tarpaulins and large signs in the basket act like sails and lower the limit further. Allow for this when planning progress, and read the wind gauge on the machine — not the weather forecast.
Outdoors, diesel is still the most common on the larger models: more power, longer run time and no charging breaks. Electric and hybrid rough-terrain models are available, and are chosen where there are noise or emissions requirements — typically in residential areas, near hospitals or on projects with environmental requirements.
Yes, rough-terrain models with four-wheel drive handle grass and gravel well. On soft mud you should lay ground mats whatever the model.
Typically around 12.5 m/s, but it is marked on the machine and varies by model. Large objects in the basket lower the limit. Above the limit, the platform must not be raised.
Diesel models must not be used indoors without powerful ventilation, and the weight may be too much for the floor. Ask for an electric indoor model instead.
Outdoor models with four-wheel drive cost more than electric indoor lifts, both to hire and to transport, because they are heavier. Ask for a firm quote.
We list 12 rental companies offering outdoor scissor lift across 6 counties. Choose your county and send a request.
The list is based on what the rental companies state on their own websites, so it is not complete — many have equipment they have not listed.