The right scissor lift size comes down to three numbers: the height you need to reach, the narrowest door or aisle on the route, and the surface it will stand on. Here is how to work out each one, and which of our scissor lifts fits.
Step 1: Work out the height you need
Scissor lifts are listed by platform height, the height of the floor of the platform. A person standing on it can reach about 6 ft higher, which is the working height. So subtract about 6 ft from the highest point you need to reach and pick a lift with at least that platform height.
| Job height to reach | Typical platform height needed | Example from our fleet |
|---|---|---|
| Up to about 25 ft (a 10 to 12 ft ceiling job) | 19 ft | Genie GS-1930, 19 ft |
| About 32 ft | 26 ft | Genie GS-2632, 26 ft |
| About 38 ft | 32 ft | Genie GS-3246, 32 ft or GS-3232 narrow |
| About 45 ft | 40 ft | Genie GS-4047, 40 ft |
| About 49 to 59 ft, outdoors | 43 to 53 ft rough terrain | JLG 4394RT or Genie GS-5390 RT |
Step 2: Check the width against the route
A lift that is too wide for the door is the most common reason a rental does not work. Measure the narrowest clear opening between the street and the work area, including door frames, hardware and any turns.
- The 19 ft Genie GS-1930 and the single man lift GR-20 are about 30 in wide, so they fit through a standard 32 in door.
- The 32 ft narrow Genie GS-3232 is 32 in wide. The Genie GS-2632 is 2 ft 8 in wide.
- The Genie GS-3246 is 3 ft 10 in wide and the Genie GS-4047 is 47 in wide, which usually means double doors or an outside entrance.
- The Genie GS-5390 RT is 7 ft 8 in wide.
Step 3: Match the lift to the surface
Electric scissor lifts are made for firm, level floors and slabs. Rough terrain lifts have engines, four-wheel drive, foam-filled tires and outriggers to level on uneven ground. If the lift has to cross dirt, gravel or a slope, see our guide on slab vs rough terrain scissor lifts.
Step 4: Check capacity and weight
Add up the weight of the workers, tools and materials on the platform. The Genie GS-1930 and GS-2632 carry 500 lb, the GS-3246 carries 700 lb and the rough terrain models carry 1,500 lb. If the lift goes in a freight elevator or on a finished slab, check the machine weight too. The GS-2632 weighs about 4,700 lb and the GS-3246 about 5,200 lb.
Common mistakes
- Choosing by platform height instead of working height, then coming up a few feet short.
- Measuring the door but forgetting the elevator, stairs or a tight corner.
- Renting an electric lift for a muddy site.
- Forgetting that the platform extension adds reach but reduces the weight you can carry on it.
Rent the right size in Brooklyn and NYC
Call 718-344-1474 or request a quote with the height, the door width and the floor type, and we will recommend a lift. We deliver to all five boroughs.
Scissor lift sizing FAQs
Is a 19 ft scissor lift tall enough for a 12 ft ceiling?
Yes. A 19 ft platform height gives a working height of about 25 ft, which covers a 12 ft ceiling with room to spare.
What is the smallest scissor lift you rent?
Our single man lift GR-20 and the Genie GS-1930 are about 30 in wide, the narrowest lifts we rent.
Can I use a scissor lift on a slope?
Electric scissor lifts need a firm, level surface. Rough terrain models can work on uneven ground with outriggers, within the limits in the manual.