How much weight can a cherry picker or scissor lift carry?

Platform capacity, safe working load and the headline figure

Two things to know before you compare machines.

• Platform capacity (safe working load)

  Platform capacity, also called the safe working load, is the most weight the platform is rated to carry. It covers everyone on the platform plus their tools and materials, so add them all up before you choose a machine.

• The figure we show first

  Where a maker gives more than one rating, the capacity we show first is the most restrictive one for normal use. Any other ratings on the same data sheet, such as a higher figure in a restricted envelope or a separate limit on an extension deck, are listed alongside it.

Capacity by type

The capacity range of each type we list, from the machines whose maker publishes it. Each row opens that type's machines.

Adding up the load

Weigh, or check the weight of, everything that goes up: each person, their tools, and any materials such as boards, fittings or pipe. The total must stay within the platform capacity for the whole job, not just the first lift.

If the load is close to the rating, choose a machine with more capacity. If the job is mostly lifting materials rather than people, a telehandler may suit better.

• Telehandler hire

  For lifting materials at height, not people.

Booms with two ratings

Some booms are dual rated. They carry more within a restricted part of their working envelope, at shorter boom lengths and higher boom angles, and the lower figure applies everywhere else. Plan the job on the lower figure unless the work sits inside the restricted envelope on the maker's range chart.

Of the booms we list, 3 have a higher restricted envelope rating: the JLG 1250AJP 40.3m diesel articulated boom lift (230kg, or 450kg in the restricted envelope); the JLG 1850SJ 58.56m diesel telescopic boom lift (230kg, or 450kg in the restricted envelope); the JLG 660SJ 22.02m diesel telescopic boom lift (249kg, or 340kg in the restricted envelope).

Scissor lift extension decks

Some scissor lifts have a roll-out extension deck with its own, lower limit, and some makers give separate figures for the main platform, the extension deck and the two together. Stay within every figure the maker gives.

10 of the lifts we list give a separate extension deck or platform extension limit on the maker's sheet, shown on each machine page and in the table below.

Capacity of every lift we list

Lightest rating first. Other ratings are shown where the maker's data sheet gives them. Each row links to the machine page with the drawing, specification and price.

Choosing the rest of the machine

Capacity is one figure. Height, reach, power and the way in decide the rest.

• Which lift do I need? Free tool

  Enter your height, outreach, ground and access width and get the right class of lift with live prices.

• Cherry picker and scissor lift sizes

  Working height ranges for every type, in metres and feet.

• How far can a cherry picker reach?

  Outreach and up-and-over height for every boom we list.