Frequently Asked Questions About Scissor Lifts
What is a scissor lift?
A scissor lift is an elevated work platform that raises workers vertically using a crisscrossing scissor mechanism. They provide a stable, level working platform for tasks at height such as maintenance, installation, painting, and warehouse operations.
How high can a scissor lift reach?
Scissor lifts typically reach working heights between 6 and 15 metres depending on the model. They are available in electric models for indoor use and rough terrain models for outdoor construction sites.
What is the difference between a scissor lift and a cherry picker?
Scissor lifts move vertically only and provide a larger platform area, making them ideal for tasks requiring a stable, spacious work surface. Cherry pickers (boom lifts) offer horizontal and vertical reach, allowing access to hard-to-reach areas over obstacles.
Electric scissor lifts are the preferred choice for indoor applications — warehouses, retail centres, factories and office fitouts — because they produce no exhaust emissions and operate quietly. Rough-terrain scissor lifts with diesel or dual-fuel engines are built for outdoor construction sites and uneven ground, with wider bases and higher-flotation tyres for stability on slopes and soft surfaces.
Platform size is an important selection criterion when choosing a scissor lift. Narrow electric models (approximately 0.76—0.91 m wide) can navigate through standard single doors and move between aisles in warehouses. Larger platforms (1.5—2.4 m wide) accommodate multiple workers and tools, reducing the number of lift moves required to complete an installation or maintenance task.
Safe working loads on MCM Group scissor lifts range from 230 kg to 700 kg depending on the model. Always select a machine whose rated capacity exceeds the combined weight of operators, tools and materials that will be on the platform simultaneously. Overloading a scissor lift is a serious safety violation under South African OHS Act requirements.
MCM Group supplies scissor lifts from branches in Cape Town, George, Gauteng and Bloemfontein. Full operator training, SANS-compliant safety documentation and service support are available. Contact us for rental or purchase pricing on the model that suits your working height and platform size requirements.
