What is the difference between working height and platform height?

Platform height is how high the floor of the basket or deck rises. Working height adds about 2m for a person standing on the platform and reaching up. Always match the working height to the highest point of the job.

Do I need a scissor lift or a cherry picker?

A scissor lift goes straight up and suits work directly above a firm, level floor. A cherry picker (an articulated boom lift) reaches up and over gutters, canopies, bay windows and plant. If anything is between the machine and the work, you need a boom.

Which lift fits through a garden gate or a single door?

Mast and push-around lifts fit through a standard single door at about 0.7m to 0.8m wide. The narrowest spider lifts we hire fit through a gap of about 0.8m and track over lawns and paving on to outriggers.

Can I use a telehandler to lift people?

No. A telehandler is a lift truck for placing loads such as steel, blocks and roof sheets. To work at height, hire a MEWP such as a scissor lift or boom lift.

What lift do I need for guttering on a house?

Gutters on a two-storey house sit at about 5m to 7m, and you usually need to reach out over a bay or porch. An articulated boom, a trailer mounted cherry picker or, on a lawn or through a side gate, a spider lift will do it.

Do I need a licence to drive a lift?

Anyone operating a MEWP should be trained for that type, and the IPAF PAL card is the usual UK proof. If no one on your team is trained, ask us about operated hire.

Yes. The tool is free with no sign-up. Prices shown are our live hire prices, and you can book online or call 0333 038 4946 to talk it through.

Free lift finder

Which lift do I need?

Answer five quick questions about your job and we will tell you which class of lift to hire, the platform height to look for, and the machines we hire that do it, with live prices. It is free and takes under a minute.

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The short answer

For straight-up work on a firm floor, hire a scissor lift (or a mast lift below about 6.5m). To reach up and over something, hire an articulated boom lift (cherry picker). Through a narrow gate or onto delicate ground, hire a spider lift. For a long reach from far back, hire a telescopic boom. To lift materials only, hire a telehandler.

Working height vs platform height

Working height = platform height + about 2m. The platform height is how high the floor of the basket or deck rises; the extra 2m allows for a person standing on it and reaching up. Measure from the ground to the highest point you need to work on and match that to the working height on the machine page.

Example: gutters at 7m need a working height of at least 7m, which means a platform that rises to about 5m. If you are not sure, go one size up.

How to choose the right lift

Pick the jobChoose the work you are doing, such as guttering, signage, racking, tree work, ceilings, windows or steel erection.
Measure the working heightMeasure from the ground to the highest point you need to reach. Working height is platform height plus about 2m, so a 10m working height needs a platform that rises to about 8m.
Measure the outreachMeasure how far out from where the machine can stand the work is, for example over a bay window, a canopy or a flower bed. Enter 0 if the machine can go right underneath.
Say where it worksChoose indoors or outdoors and the ground: firm and level, rough or uneven, or delicate such as lawns and paving.
Measure the access widthMeasure the narrowest gap on the route in, such as a gate, doorway or aisle, in metres.
Get the answerSee the class of lift to hire, matching machines with live prices, and book online or call us.

The lift classes we recommend

Vertical mast or push-around lift
A one-person platform that goes straight up, light and narrow enough for doorways, lifts and aisles.
Electric scissor lift
A wide deck that goes straight up, for two people and their materials on firm, level floors.
Rough terrain scissor lift
A big straight-up deck on a 4x4 chassis for outdoor sites and uneven ground.
Spider lift
A tracked boom that fits through a garden gate and spreads its weight on outriggers, for up and over work on delicate ground.
Trailer mounted cherry picker
A towable boom on outriggers for up and over work on driveways and verges.
Articulated boom lift (cherry picker)
A jointed boom that reaches up and over gutters, canopies, plant and racking.
Telescopic boom lift
A straight boom with the longest reach, for when the machine cannot get close to the work.
Telehandler (materials only)
A lift truck for placing loads at height. It is not a people platform, so never use it to lift a person.

Book it for the days you need

You set a fixed end date when you book and pay for those days up front, so there are no open-ended charges. On delivered hires we arrange collection from your end date. Need longer? Call us before it ends and we will extend it.

Call 0333 038 4946 Manage your hire online

Questions

What is the difference between working height and platform height?: Platform height is how high the floor of the basket or deck rises. Working height adds about 2m for a person standing on the platform and reaching up. Always match the working height to the highest point of the job.
Do I need a scissor lift or a cherry picker?: A scissor lift goes straight up and suits work directly above a firm, level floor. A cherry picker (an articulated boom lift) reaches up and over gutters, canopies, bay windows and plant. If anything is between the machine and the work, you need a boom.
Which lift fits through a garden gate or a single door?: Mast and push-around lifts fit through a standard single door at about 0.7m to 0.8m wide. The narrowest spider lifts we hire fit through a gap of about 0.8m and track over lawns and paving on to outriggers.
Can I use a telehandler to lift people?: No. A telehandler is a lift truck for placing loads such as steel, blocks and roof sheets. To work at height, hire a MEWP such as a scissor lift or boom lift.
What lift do I need for guttering on a house?: Gutters on a two-storey house sit at about 5m to 7m, and you usually need to reach out over a bay or porch. An articulated boom, a trailer mounted cherry picker or, on a lawn or through a side gate, a spider lift will do it.
Do I need a licence to drive a lift?: Anyone operating a MEWP should be trained for that type, and the IPAF PAL card is the usual UK proof. If no one on your team is trained, ask us about operated hire.
Is the tool free?: Yes. The tool is free with no sign-up. Prices shown are our live hire prices, and you can book online or call 0333 038 4946 to talk it through.