Aerial work platforms: all types, applications and selection criteria
What is an aerial work platform?
Which aerial work platform for which task? The answer depends on working height, ground, access situation and space conditions — and is not always obvious. This guide explains all common platform types with their strengths and limitations, provides a decision matrix for typical application scenarios and shows when which drive type is the right choice.
An aerial work platform is a motor-driven piece of work equipment with a work basket or platform that brings people and material to working height and holds them there. Unlike ladders or scaffolding, aerial work platforms are mobile machines that the operator can control from the work basket.
The term covers all self-propelled and towed equipment for temporary work at height — scissor lifts, articulating boom lifts, telescopic boom lifts, truck-mounted platforms, spider lifts and trailer-mounted platforms. Synonyms: cherry picker, lifting platform, elevated work platform.
Aerial work platform types at a glance
Scissor lift
The scissor lift raises its rectangular platform vertically — without outreach. The scissor mechanism principle makes it particularly stable with high loads.
Typical working heights: 6–18 m (electric scissors), up to 30 m (diesel high-lift scissors)
Strengths: high load capacity (350–900 kg), wide platform, space-saving when driving (compact width), suitable for indoor use (electric models)
Limitations: vertical lift only, no outreach; outdoors only on level, load-bearing ground
Main applications: hall and warehouse work, exhibition stand construction, ceiling work in buildings, facade installation with direct access
Articulating boom lift (knuckle boom)
A combination of articulated arm and telescopic boom — the most flexible platform class for jobs with obstacles or confined access.
Typical working heights: 12–43 m
Outreach: up to 21 m (depending on model)
Strengths: up-and-over obstacles, work beside the base position, enormous flexibility; Genie Z series and Magni T series as reference
Limitations: lower load capacity than scissors; set-up area must be load-bearing
Main applications: facade work over canopies, tree work, bridge maintenance, outdoor work over stairs or walls
Articulating boom lift rental →
Telescopic boom lift (straight boom)
Straight boom with height and reach — for great working and overhead heights without going over obstacles.
Typical working heights: 15–56 m
Strengths: large outreach; fast deployment in open surroundings; Manitou 280 TJ+ as reference up to 28 m
Limitations: no knuckle function; ground and set-up area are decisive
Trailer-mounted platform
Small unit on a trailer chassis that requires road registration — can be towed by a standard car or van.
Typical working heights: 8–22 m
Strengths: no category C licence required, can be transported independently, lowest operating costs
Limitations: lowest load capacities (usually 200–230 kg), limited range of applications, no four-wheel-drive option
Truck-mounted platform
Aerial work platform mounted on a truck chassis — combines transportability with working reach for road work.
Typical working heights: 17–72 m
Strengths: quickly on site, no separate transport logistics, ideal for road and utility work
Limitations: category C licence required, access restrictions on confined sites
Truck-mounted platform rental →
Spider lift (tracked platform)
Hydraulic aerial work platform on a tracked undercarriage — for difficult terrain and low ground-bearing capacity.
Typical working heights: 12–56 m
Strengths: low ground pressure, off-road capability (including embankments, soft ground, woodland), electric drive without local emissions
Limitations: slow self-propulsion; transport on a low-loader required
Spider lift (tracked platform) rental →
Mast lift
Vertical lifting mast — the most economical machine for purely vertical work in confined indoor spaces.
Typical working heights: 5–12 m
Strengths: smallest footprint and width of all platform types; ideal for narrow aisles and confined indoor spaces
Limitations: no outreach; low load capacity; indoor use only
Which aerial work platform for which job?
Choosing the right platform type depends on several factors:
| Criterion | Scissor | Articulating | Telescopic | Truck-mounted | Spider | Trailer-mounted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working height up to 15 m | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ |
| Working height 15–30 m | ✓ (diesel) | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✗ |
| Working height >30 m | ✗ | ✓ (43 m+) | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Outreach required | ✗ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Indoor / hall use | ✓✓ (E) | ✓ (E) | ✓ (E) | ✗ | ✓✓ (E) | ✓✗ |
| Difficult terrain | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓✓ | ✗ |
| High load capacity (>400 kg) | ✓✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
E = electric version available
The decision guide Which lifting platform for which job? takes you step by step to the right type.
Drive types: diesel, electric, hybrid/Bi-Energy
Electric: No local emissions, quiet, suitable for indoor use, requires load-bearing hard floors; typical for scissor lifts, mast lifts and compact articulating boom lifts
Diesel: For outdoor and rough-terrain use; Stage V compliant — all new Luibl machines meet the Stage V emission standard
Hybrid / Bi-Energy: Combines diesel mobility with electric operation indoors; a growing segment, especially for articulating boom lifts
Law and safety at a glance
Anyone operating an aerial work platform needs written confirmation of verified expertise issued by a certified inspection technician (Section 17(3) Decree No. 508/2009 Coll.), a documented briefing and written authorisation from the employer. Details: Aerial work platform licence: what operators and employers need to know →
As designated lifting equipment, aerial work platforms are subject to inspections and tests of technical equipment (Decree No. 508/2009 Coll.). Platforms rented from Luibl Rental always have up-to-date inspections and tests. Details: Inspections of aerial work platforms →
When working on an aerial work platform with personal fall protection equipment, certified anchor points must be available.
How much does an aerial work platform cost?
Rental costs depend on the platform type, working height, rental period and site location. Detailed price ranges per day, week and month: Aerial work platform rental: cost overview →
Rent or buy an aerial work platform?
For short and medium-term jobs, renting is economically superior: no capital tied up, no inspection and maintenance management, no storage or transport effort. Depending on machine class and utilisation, the break-even point for buying is around 150-250 rental days per year — often more than most construction companies need for a single platform type. The full calculation is in the guide Rent or buy a lifting platform?
Luibl Rental supplies all platform types with delivery throughout Slovakia — delivered by low-loader to your site. Rent an aerial work platform → | Request a quote →
In-depth guides to each platform type
Each type has its own guide covering variants, heights, load capacities and operating limits:
- Scissor lift: types, heights and applications
- Articulating boom lift or scissor lift — the comparison
- Truck-mounted platform: use, driving licence and rental costs
- Trailer-mounted platform: use, driving licence and limits
- Diesel or electric aerial work platform: the drive comparison
- Which lifting platform for which job? The decision guide
- Rent or buy a lifting platform? The break-even calculation
Frequently asked questions
What types of aerial work platforms are there?
The main types are: scissor lifts (vertical lift, high load capacity), articulating boom lifts (maximum flexibility, reaching over obstacles), telescopic boom lifts (long outreach), truck-mounted platforms (road operation), spider lifts (rough terrain) and trailer-mounted platforms (towed by car). Each type is optimised for specific applications.
Which aerial work platform do I need for which height?
Up to 15 m: a scissor lift or trailer-mounted platform is sufficient for most tasks. 15-30 m: articulating or telescopic boom lift. Above 30 m: large telescopic boom lift or truck-mounted platform. For rough terrain at any height: spider lift. The decision matrix above gives a quick overview.
What is the difference between a scissor lift and an articulating boom lift?
A scissor lift rises vertically without outreach — but with a high load capacity and a stable, wide platform. An articulating boom lift combines a knuckle arm and telescopic boom and can reach sideways over obstacles — but with a lower load capacity and a smaller platform.
Who is allowed to operate an aerial work platform?
Every operator needs written confirmation of verified expertise issued by a certified inspection technician (Section 17(3) Decree No. 508/2009 Coll.) and written authorisation from the employer. A machine-specific briefing on handover of the rental machine is also required. Details: Aerial work platform licence →
How much does it cost to rent an aerial work platform?
Rental prices vary by platform type, working height and rental period. Full price ranges per day, week and month can be found in our cost guide: Aerial work platform rental: costs →