The electric scissor lift is an elevation device driven by battery power and used to raise personnel and cargo vertically. Due to having no internal combustion engine, it emits no fumes and operates silently. Therefore, it becomes the go-to equipment for indoor construction jobs like warehouse maintenance, retail fit-out, office fit-out, MEP installation, and facility repair on a flat surface.
Electric scissor lift is one of the highest searched items related to scissor lifts in the UAE, and there is increasing demand for small scissor lifts due to increasing fit-out jobs. Here are the guidelines on choosing an electric scissor lift over diesel or rough terrain and checking for height, width, and battery. The JLG electric scissor lift is supplied by GENAVCO.
Electric vs Rough Terrain Scissor Lift
| Factor | Electric scissor lift | Rough terrain scissor lift |
| Power | Battery | Diesel, gas or hybrid |
| Emissions and noise | No exhaust, low noise | Exhaust and engine noise |
| Best surface | Smooth, level, firm floors | Uneven outdoor ground, gravel and sand |
| Width | Narrow models fit through standard doorways | Wider, for stability outdoors |
| Typical work | Indoor fit-out, maintenance, warehouses, malls | Construction sites, external works |
If the job is outdoors on rough ground, or needs to reach up and over obstacles, look at rough terrain scissors or boom lifts. For tight indoor spaces and uneven floors where a scissor cannot set up, spider lifts may suit better.
Electric Scissor Lift - What to Inspect
- Platform height and working height: platform height is the floor of the cage; working height is usually quoted as around 2 m higher. Match it to the highest task, not the ceiling.
- Width: narrow machines pass through doors and between racking. Measure the tightest opening on the route.
- Platform capacity: add up people, tools and materials. Restrictions on capacity apply even when deck is extended.
- Floor loadings: verify slab ratings of upper floors, mezzanine floorings and raised floors prior to bringing the lift in.
- Battery/Charging: verify the runtime based on shift duration and charging locations.
- Tyres: use non-marking tyres for finishing floors in malls, hotels, and offices.
The JLG Electric Scissor Lift From GENAVCO
1. JLG Electric Scissor Lift
- Confirmed specs: platform height of 5.79 meters (19 feet), platform load of 274.88 kilograms (606 pounds), machine width of 0.81 meters (2 feet 8 inches) and speed when driving with platform down of 6.44 kilometers per hour.
- Confirmed battery and recharging: a single lithium-ion battery that will last the entire life of the machine, plus a five minute recharge which yields 100 feet of travel and sufficient torque for loading.
- Confirmed ownership benefit: almost no maintenance, with a diagnostic and analyser tool that works on any smart device.
- Confirmed wider range: JLG scissor lifts come in electric and gas-powered rough terrain models with maximum platform heights of up to 15.24 m (50 ft), and a deck extension option up to 1.83 m (6 ft).
Need indoor access equipment for a fit-out or maintenance team?
Please give us your working height, door width, floor surface, and the number of hours the lift is going to be used per day. We will suggest you the right scissor lift.
Where Are Electric Scissor Lifts Suitable for Use in the UAE?
- Shopping malls and fit-out shops: Quieter and cleaner machines that operate without shutting down other nearby units.
- Logistics warehouses and storage centers: Lights, fire sprinklers, signs, and racking maintenance in the aisles.
- Hotels, offices and hospitals: Minimal noise and no emissions indoors.
- MEP installation: ceiling services work with tools and materials on the platform.
- Factories and plant rooms: maintenance at height without exhaust indoors.
UAE Conditions for Electric Scissor Lifts
- Indoor usage is optimal: air-conditioned environments are ideal for battery operated equipment.
- High outdoor temperatures: if the lift needs to be operated outdoors during summertime, verify the temperature rating of the battery and hydraulic systems provided by the manufacturer.
- Dust: dust off the equipment and inspect scissor pins and sensors after operation in dusty conditions.
- Wind: many lifts that have been designed for indoor use are not able to withstand outdoor wind forces.
Steps Involved in Identifying the Electrical Scissor Lift Requirements
- Step 1 – Determine the maximum task height and add the reach of the operator to determine the platform height.
- Step 2 – Determine the minimum width of the door, lift or aisle to the task area.
- Step 3 – Determine the total weight of the personnel, tools, and equipment to be carried by the lift.
- Step 4 – Determine the floor load capacity for all floors where the lift will operate.
- Step 5 – Determine the shift length, charging location and charging time.
- Step 6 – Determine whether the work is to be done outdoors and determine the wind and temperature requirements.
Training & Safety
- Trained operators: only trained and authorised people should operate a scissor lift. GENAVCO's Training Center provides operator and product safety training.
- Pre-start inspections: control devices, emergency descent, guardrails, tires, and battery power each shift.
- Within the guardrails only: don't climb onto the rails or use a ladder on the platform.
- Check ground condition first: look for depressions, gradients, and floor openings prior to elevating the platform.
Why Choose GENAVCO for Electric Scissor Lifts
- JLG range: scissor lifts, articulating and telescopic boom lifts and vertical mast lifts from one maker. See JLG access equipment.
- Local service: GENAVCO service teams support JLG equipment in the UAE, with genuine parts.
- Member of the Juma Al Majid Group from 1967: An experienced UAE company certified under ISO 9001.
Electric Scissor Lift Errors to Avoid
- Selecting based on ceiling height: select for job height, not building height.
- Neglecting the door opening: no access means no access to the job.
- Disregarding floor strength: upper or elevated floors may not be strong enough for the equipment and its weight.
- Using indoor lift outdoors: the elements will make the lift exceed its capacity.
- No charging arrangement: an empty battery means work stopped halfway through the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an electric scissor lift be used outdoors?
Some can, on firm level ground and within the manufacturer's wind and temperature limits. For rough ground, choose a rough terrain model.
How long does an electric scissor lift battery last?
It depends on the model and duty. The JLG model GENAVCO lists uses a single lithium-ion battery designed to last the life of the machine, with a five-minute quick charge for 100 ft of drive.
What is the difference between platform height and working height?
Platform height is the height of the platform floor. Working height is usually quoted as about 2 m higher, the height a person on the platform can reach.
How high can JLG scissor lifts reach?
JLG electric and rough terrain scissor lifts are available with maximum platform heights of up to 15.24 m (50 ft).
Ready to Choose Your Electric Scissor Lift?
An electric scissor lift gives indoor teams clean, quiet, stable access at height. GENAVCO supplies JLG scissor lifts across the UAE. For the full range of options, see our guides to scissor lifts in the UAE and aerial work platforms.
Tell us your heights, doors and floors. We will recommend the right lift and price it properly.
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