Which aerial platform is right for your job?
When it comes to working at height, choosing the right aerial platform can make the difference between a productive day and a costly mistake.
Fortunately, we’ve spent years helping businesses across Grimsby and beyond navigate this crucial decision, and we understand that the choice between a scissor lift and a cherry picker isn’t always straightforward.
Both pieces of equipment serve the fundamental purpose of getting workers safely to elevated positions, but their applications, capabilities, and operating characteristics are completely different.
Understanding these differences is important for making an informed decision that will allow you to operate both safely and productively on your site.
Scissor lifts
Scissor lifts operate on a simple yet effective principle, using crossed metal supports that extend and contract to raise and lower the platform.
This design creates exceptional stability, making scissor lifts a great choice for tasks requiring longer periods of work at height, especially with multiple operators or when using heavy materials.
The platform on a scissor lift moves vertically in a straight line, which allows stability but limits manoeuvrability around obstacles. This makes scissor lifts ideal for work in open spaces where the main requirement is reaching specific heights rather than navigating around complex structures.
From our experience of supplying equipment across various industries, scissor lifts are great in warehouse environments, construction sites with clear access routes, and maintenance tasks in large, open facilities.
Their large platform size typically allows multiple workers and their tools to be used comfortably, whilst the stable base allows for precision work to be done even when fully extended.
Cherry pickers
Cherry pickers, also known as boom lifts or aerial work platforms, offer articulated or telescopic arms that can reach up, over, and around obstacles with remarkable precision.
This flexibility comes from their ability to position the platform at various angles and distances from the base unit, making cherry pickers ideal for more complex access requirements.
The trade-off for this flexibility is typically a smaller working platform and more complex operation. However, this isn’t necessarily a limitation but rather a specialisation for specific applications.
The compact platform encourages focused, precision work rather than extended material handling operations. Cherry pickers are great in situations where direct vertical access isn’t possible.
Tree surgery, building maintenance around architectural features, and industrial work around pipework or machinery all benefit from the cherry picker’s unique capabilities.
Reaching your requirements
Both equipment types offer impressive height capabilities, but their practical working heights differ based on design and stability requirements.
Scissor lifts typically provide working heights from 4 metres up to 18 metres for standard models, with some specialist units reaching even higher. The key benefit is their superior stability and load capacity throughout their full range.
Cherry pickers generally offer greater maximum heights, with some models reaching 30 metres or more. However, as working height increases, platform capacity often decreases, and wind sensitivity is something which needs to be factored in.
We always emphasise that maximum height specifications tell only part of the story. The practical working height for your specific application depends on load requirements, environmental conditions, and access constraints.
Terrain & environment considerations
The ground conditions at your work site play a crucial role when it comes to making your final choice.
Scissor lifts require relatively level, solid surfaces to operate safely. Their stability depends on maintaining proper contact with the ground across their entire base, making them less suitable for uneven or soft terrain.
Cherry pickers, particularly tracked or rough-terrain models, often handle varied ground conditions more effectively. Their smaller footprint and ability to work with the base positioned away from the actual work area provide advantages on challenging sites.
When it comes to working indoors, electric scissor lifts operate quietly with zero emissions, making them perfect for warehouse and retail environments. Their compact design when lowered allows easy movement through standard doorways and between storage racks.
Operational efficiency & training requirements
From a training perspective, scissor lifts generally have simpler control systems, focusing mainly on elevation and basic manoeuvring. This simplicity often means shorter training periods and better operator confidence, particularly for occasional users.
Cherry picker operation can require more comprehensive training due to the complex interactions between boom position, platform angle, and stability. However, this complexity comes with more flexibility in movement that can significantly reduce job completion times in suitable applications.
Our IPAF training programmes are great to learn proper equipment operation and see how this maximises the efficiency benefits of both equipment types. Understanding load charts, stability principles, and emergency procedures ensures safe operation whilst achieving optimal productivity.
Making the right choice for your business
The decision between scissor lifts and cherry pickers ultimately depends on your specific operational needs rather than general preferences. It’s important to consider your specific tasks, the environments where you’ll be working, and the skill level of your operators.
For regular maintenance work in warehouses or straightforward construction tasks, scissor lifts often provide the most cost-effective solution. Their stability, large platform space, and straightforward operation make them ideal for many applications.
On the other hand, cherry pickers are ideal when your work involves navigating around obstacles, reaching over structures, or working in locations where direct vertical access isn’t possible. Their flexibility makes up for the additional complexity in these specialised applications.
Expert guidance when you need it
At BJB Lift Trucks, we know that choosing the right equipment is about balancing lots of factors unique to your business.
Our experience across a diverse range of industries, as well as our variety of hire and purchase options, allows us to provide genuine guidance on what’s right for your needs.
Whether you’re expanding your fleet or choosing aerial access equipment for the first time, understanding these main differences between scissor lifts and cherry pickers allows you to make decisions that will ensure both safety and productivity.
Making the right choice supports your business goals whilst maintaining the highest safety standards your workers deserve.
Contact our team to find out more and get help choosing the right equipment for your needs.