Anyone here know about scissor lifts or man lifts?

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Apr 27, 2010
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Just started looking and I'm not spending $5,000 or $8,000 like they have them listed on FB Marketplace for. Was on this equipment auction site and bid this to $800 but lost it for $850. https://www.ironplanet.com/jsp/s/item/8703729 (There are more next week) Should I have bid more? It said it didn't go forward or reverse but that's probably a joystick issue, but it made me chicken out.
 
I know enough to avoid them at all cost.
The problems you describe can be caused by various sensors. None of them should move when in the raised position. Just like none of them should extend if not level.
Or the joystick of course.
 
Just started looking and I'm not spending $5,000 or $8,000 like they have them listed on FB Marketplace for. Was on this equipment auction site and bid this to $800 but lost it for $850. https://www.ironplanet.com/jsp/s/item/8703729 (There are more next week) Should I have bid more? It said it didn't go forward or reverse but that's probably a joystick issue, but it made me chicken out.
Rent one of these as needed. The rental companies maintain them. Being 25 feet in the air and having a sensor issue or anything else is not for a novice. No insult intended, but these are specialized pieces of equipment.
 
Rent one of these as needed.
Looked into that and was turned off. They advertised it for $74 a day then they tacked on all kinds BS fees. Delivery fee, pick up fee, unloading fee, order fee, cleaning fee, insurance fee, taxes, etc. so it came to over $400 for one day from a place 5 miles away. No thanks.
 
If the need is ocassional, I would rent, otherwise I would purchase a used one. It will pay for itself in short time.. $850 is a good price on a working unit with good batteries and wheels. I have used scissor lifts many times and they are a real time saver. Even at $1k, that is a drop in the bucket compared to falling off a ladder at that height.
 
Some will move when in the raised position, but at a very slow speed.
^This. I've used one at a previous job. The one I used was electric, using something like a half-dozen 12-volt batteries, but ICE versions are available. The one I used would slowly move forward or back with the cage extended up. There are safety weight ratings posted on the cage, often times the rating is lower than the weight of two guys. Any little rock or stick that makes the tire move 1 inch will make the basket move 8-9 inches, which can be a little unnerving until you just get used to it. Use them only on concrete with no chances of a wheel dropping off in a drainage ditch or off the edge.
Oh, yea, one more thing: Don't use them fully extended up when it's windy. Some kid going to school at Notre Dame was using one to film the football team and the wind blew it over. (Not gonna link to it. You'll have to Google it) What a way to go.
 
i have used all kinds during my career in building construction + although $$$$$ to rent as the contractors i worked for did buying is even worse + all that up + down eventually caused issues with the function!!
 
I was certified on them and could also certify others in my company as needed, before I had to retire.
What exactly are you going to use it for? Are you wanting to use one on a flat hard surface, an all-rubber tired lift for all terrain, or just a 1-man lift?
 
I would still rent.

My neighbor has an old JLG boom lift. Obviously a little different than a scissor lift. He doesn’t regret buying it because he needs it for farm work, but he does say nearly every time he gets it out, something else breaks.
 
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