hf213
Posted 5/18/2014 06:05 (#3876110)
Subject: Scissor lift advice needed,
I am thinking of buying a used scissor lift for my shop.
I was thinking something around 20 ft in lift height, and 4 ft x 8 ft box, pneumatic tires would be nice for going out in stone gravel drive, but I have a nice sized cement approach in front of the shop and very compacted stone, where I could get by fairly easily with the hard rubber tires.
1.) What are some good brands to look for and some not to look for.
2.) I am trying to find something where I can get parts, like batteries, electrical, hydraulic....
3.) Are the non marking tires softer compound than the others, would stone / gravel tear these up ?
Any other ideas, comments, good, bad all appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Rog
Sodbustr
Posted 5/18/2014 06:21 (#3876123 - in reply to #3876110)
Subject: RE: Scissor lift advice needed,
Western Iowa
Genie, JLG, and Skyjack are the main ones, there are some others as well. I hate Grove brand lifts with a passion. Over complicated, No support and terrible prices on parts
You likely would like a something like a 2046 Genie. That fits your 4x8. Air tires for rocks really isn't an option until you get to something like a 2668 Genie, which is a lot more money and a lot bigger lift.
Non marking tires are pretty well standard the last 10-15 years. They are no less apt to tear up than any other compound.
Tell me what exactly you want to do and how much you want to spend and I could zero in on what I think would work best. hf213
Posted 5/18/2014 06:31 (#3876145 - in reply to #3876123)
Subject: RE: Scissor lift advice needed,
I am an independent mechanic, mainly want to use it for working on combines
( like unloading augers
) , semi trucks and trailers, also I am building storage racks for pallet boxes / totes for my slow moving parts, and instead of building a special stairway, thought of using the lift for that
( the pallets would stay in place, I would use the lift just to get a few small items out if needed
) . Also would use it for cleaning my shop, like washing down the ceiling
( 18ft height
) and sidewalls, and I would probably use it for washing combines and equipment too. I would say 85% or more of the time it would be on cement.
Thanks
Rog biggrntractor
Posted 5/18/2014 06:42 (#3876156 - in reply to #3876123)
Subject: RE: Scissor lift advice needed,
Northern Illinois
We have a Genie. Small enough to drive thru a man door. It will raise up high enough to step off right on your combine extension, 15' platform height. It has the white no mar tires. they have stood up fine and we drive it any were it will move. Batteries are available thru interstate, 100.00 +/-. Only problem we had was the charger had to be repaired, something about it had to sense a battery had some charge before it would automatically charge the batteries. 75.oo to fix. You must check the water in batteries often. I think that what will shorten their life the quickest. On of the handiest things we have around the shop. It has fork pockets in the end so you can easily pick it and load it in a pick up. We bought it on ebay.
ohiofarmboy1958
Posted 5/18/2014 06:49 (#3876164 - in reply to #3876110)
Subject: RE: Scissor lift advice needed,
northwest ohio
I own 2 of them,both go to 30' they are JLG brand. One thing you need to look for if you want to go outside and off of cement is a pivoting front axle. Most small to mid size lifts are straight framed and if you get on uneven ground you loose traction and they get hungup. Also try to find one where the platform will slide out, most will slide about 4', which is nice if you are in a tight spot.I use mine for all sort of things, they are great for working on the combine or other tall equipment that you would get a ladder for Ron..NE ILL..10/48
Posted 5/18/2014 07:03 (#3876185 - in reply to #3876110)
Subject: RE: Scissor lift advice needed,
Chebanse, IL.....Chebanse, IL.....
We have a "Skyjack" brand. We're happy with it. Extendable platform on one end. Narrow enough to go thru walk-in doors. But, it's primarily used on hard-level surfaces.
We have rented "uneven terrain" scissor lifts which are diesel/lp powered vs electric & have larger tires. However, they still have limits to avoid tipping over during lifting, which can have hidden dangers in softer ground. They have safety switches to stop them from lifting if they detect too much angle, etc. They still don't have much ground clearance & can get stuck relatively easy.
I would think for the jobs you indicate, which are possibly both indoor & outdoor, that a smaller cherry picker would be handier & more productive. One that lifts only 25-30' would be fine. It would work on just about any reasonable surface, both inside & out, and it would be easier to transport. They do take up more floor space however.
Our Skyjack below made changing fc shovels without unfolding very easy.
gene_champ
Posted 5/18/2014 08:36 (#3876369 - in reply to #3876110)
Subject: RE: Scissor lift advice needed,
NC Iowa
go to a rental store and talk to them. them usually have reliable stuff and you can check out what they have. might even rent one for a day and see if it will do what you want. might even find a rental store with one for sale.
as far as working on machinery, remember you still have to get up on the lift platform so that will involve a climb of some sort. i got a rolling stairs for working on high on tractors and combines. much easier and safer that climbing up and hanging on. i an considering a small lift instead building a stairs to get up to the loft.
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Posted 5/18/2014 09:17 (#3876447 - in reply to #3876110)
Subject: RE: Scissor lift advice needed,
Morris, IL
We have a JLG 1930 or something like that, bought it from an agtalker down near Indy. Platform goes 19' high and is 30" wide, extends like Ron's as well. We rented one just like it for month or two and was really handy but could see renting wasn't going to work out so we figured we are money ahead just buying one. It has hard wheels with a 1" rubber ish coating on the wheels, if you were on gravel all day i could see it tearing them up. We were planning to use it finishing our shop then selling it but after we took it around the farm and saw it could go pretty much anywhere on gravel i can't see selling it. It runs across packed gravel, loose gravel, new gravel, and it even pulled itself up our sliding door threshold which is 2" angle iron so it's probably never going to leave. redwngr
Posted 5/18/2014 13:45 (#3876711 - in reply to #3876110)
Subject: RE: Scissor lift advice needed,
SW Ont
I'm a fan of rolling stairs. Some have a platform at the top with room for 2. Helper can go for part/tool without needing to lower the scissors, which is typically slower.