Aerial work platforms: all types, applications and selection criteria
What is an aerial work platform?
Which aerial work platform for which job? The answer depends on working height, ground conditions, access and available space — and is not always obvious. This guide explains all common platform types with their strengths and limitations, provides a decision matrix for typical applications and shows when which drive type is the right choice.
An aerial work platform is a powered piece of work equipment with a basket or platform that lifts people and materials to working height and holds them there. Unlike ladders or scaffolding, aerial work platforms are mobile machines that the operator can control from the basket.
The term covers all self-propelled and towed machines for temporary work at height — scissor lifts, articulating boom lifts, telescopic boom lifts, truck-mounted platforms, spider lifts and trailer-mounted platforms. Synonyms: lift platform, MEWP, cherry picker.
Aerial work platform types at a glance
Scissor lift
The scissor lift raises its rectangular platform vertically — without outreach. The scissor mechanism makes it particularly stable with high load capacities.
Typical working heights: 6–18 m (electric scissor lifts), up to 30 m (diesel scissor lift) 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: Work in halls and warehouses, exhibition stand construction, ceiling work in buildings, facade installation with direct access
Articulating boom lift (knuckle boom)
A combination of articulating arm and telescopic boom — the most flexible platform class for jobs with obstacles or tight access.
Typical working heights: 12–43 m Outreach: up to 21 m (depending on the model) Strengths: Reaching over obstacles, working beside the set-up point, enormous flexibility; Genie Z series and Magni T series as reference Limitations: Lower load capacity than a scissor lift; the set-up area must be load-bearing
Main applications: Facade work over canopies, tree work, bridge maintenance, outdoor work over stairs or walls
Rent an articulating boom lift →
Telescopic boom lift (straight boom)
Straight boom with height and outreach — for large working heights and overhead work without obstacles.
Typical working heights: 15–56 m Strengths: Large outreach; quick to deploy in open surroundings; Manitou 280 TJ+ as reference up to 28 m Limitations: No articulating function; ground and set-up area are decisive
Trailer-mounted platform
Compact platform on a road-registered trailer — can be towed by a standard car or van.
Typical working heights: 8–22 m Strengths: No C licence needed, can be transported independently, lowest operating costs Limitations: Lowest load capacities (usually 200–230 kg), limited range of applications, no four-wheel drive
Truck-mounted platform
Aerial work platform mounted on a truck chassis — combines transportability with working reach for roadside work.
Typical working heights: 17–72 m Strengths: Quickly on site, no separate transport needed, ideal for road and energy infrastructure work Limitations: A C licence is needed, restricted access on tight sites
Rent a truck-mounted platform →
Spider lift (tracked platform)
Hydraulic aerial work platform on a tracked undercarriage — for difficult terrain and ground with low bearing capacity.
Typical working heights: 12–56 m Strengths: Low ground pressure, suitable for rough terrain (including slopes, soft ground, woodland), electric drive with no local emissions Limitations: Slow self-propelled travel; transport by low-loader required
Mast lift
Vertical lifting mast — the most economical machine for purely vertical work in tight indoor spaces.
Typical working heights: 5–12 m Strengths: Smallest footprint and width of all platform types; ideal for narrow aisles and tight 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 lift | 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 aerial work 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 halls, requires load-bearing hard floors; typical for scissor lifts, mast lifts and compact articulating lifts
Diesel: For outdoor and rough-terrain use; Stage V — 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
Legislation and safety in brief
Anyone operating an aerial work platform needs the required operator competence — not a statutory "licence", but demonstrable qualification and an assignment from the employer, in line with applicable Dutch health and safety rules. Details: Operating aerial work platforms: what operators and employers need to know →
The periodic inspection of work equipment under the Working Conditions Decree is carried out by a competent person. Rental platforms from Luibl Rental always have an up-to-date inspection. Details: Periodic inspection of aerial work platforms →
When working at height in an aerial work platform with personal fall protection equipment, suitable, approved 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: costs at a glance →
Rent or buy an aerial work platform?
For short and medium-length jobs, renting is economically superior: no tied-up capital, no organisation of inspection and maintenance, 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 an aerial work platform?
Luibl Rental delivers all platform types throughout the Netherlands, by low-loader to your site. Rent an aerial work platform → | Request a quote →
In-depth guides for each platform type
Each type has its own guide covering versions, heights, load capacities and limits of use:
- 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 aerial work platform for which job? The decision guide
- Rent or buy an aerial work 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 (large outreach), truck-mounted platforms (roadside use), spider lifts (rough-terrain use) and trailer-mounted platforms (towed by car). Each type is optimised for particular 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 jobs. 15–30 m: an articulating or telescopic boom lift. Above 30 m: a large telescopic boom lift or a truck-mounted platform. For rough-terrain use at any height: a spider lift. The decision matrix above gives a quick overview.
What is the difference between a scissor lift and an articulating boom lift?
The scissor lift raises vertically without outreach — with high load capacity and a stable, wide platform. The articulating boom lift combines an articulating arm with a telescopic boom and can reach sideways over obstacles — with lower load capacity and a smaller platform.
Who may operate an aerial work platform?
Every operator needs the required operator competence (qualification and assignment by the employer), in line with applicable Dutch health and safety rules. In addition, a machine-specific briefing on handover of the rental machine is needed. Details: Operating aerial work platforms →
How much does it cost to rent an aerial work platform?
Rental prices vary by platform type, working height and rental period. You will find full price ranges per day, week and month in our cost guide: Aerial work platform rental: costs →