Working Height vs Platform Height: Choosing the Right Lift
When you see a scissor lift advertised as "7.8m", that's usually the working height, not the height of the platform floor. Understanding the difference stops you buying a machine that's too small – or paying for more than you need.
Platform height
The height of the platform floor when fully raised.
Working height
The height a person standing on the platform can comfortably work at. By industry convention it's the platform height plus 2 metres.
For example, a machine with a 5.8m platform height has a 7.8m working height.
How to choose
- Measure the highest point you need to work at – a ceiling, light fitting or gutter.
- Pick a working height at or above that, with a little to spare.
- Check the stowed height and width – will it fit through your doors and under beams?
- Check the platform capacity – how many people, tools and materials will be on it?
- Need to reach over something? A scissor lift only goes straight up – you may need a boom lift.
Common sizes
- Up to around 6m working height – personnel lifts and low-level scissors for fit-out work
- Around 8m – the most popular size for general indoor work
- 10–14m – larger slab scissors for warehouses and high ceilings
Not sure which size you need? Browse our stock or ask us to help you choose.