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 and available space — and is not always obvious. This guide explains all common types with their strengths and limits, provides a decision matrix for typical applications and shows when which drive is the right choice.
An aerial work platform is a powered piece of work equipment with a basket or platform that lifts 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 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: lifting platform, cherry picker, MEWP.
Types of aerial work platforms at a glance
Scissor lift
The scissor lift raises its rectangular platform vertically — without outreach. The scissor mechanism makes it particularly stable with heavy loads.
Typical working heights: 6–18 m (electric scissors), up to 30 m (diesel high-lift scissor)
Strengths: High load capacity (350–900 kg), wide platform, space-saving when driving (compact width), suitable for indoor use (electric models)
Limits: Vertical lift only, no outreach; outdoors on level, firm 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 with telescope)
Combination of knuckle boom 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 model)
Strengths: Reaching up and over obstacles, working beside the set-up point, great flexibility; Genie Z series and Magni T series as reference
Limits: Lower load capacity than a scissor lift; the set-up surface must be firm
Main applications: facade work over canopies, tree work, bridge maintenance, outdoor work over stairs or walls
Rent articulating boom lifts →
Telescopic boom lift (straight telescopic boom)
Straight boom with height and outreach — for large working and overhead heights without reaching 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
Limits: No knuckle function; ground and set-up surface are decisive
Trailer-mounted platform
Small machine on a trailer registered for public roads — can be towed by an ordinary car or van.
Typical working heights: 8–22 m
Strengths: No truck needed (the required Belgian driving licence category), can be transported independently, lowest operating costs
Limits: Smallest loads (usually 200–230 kg), limited range of use, no four-wheel-drive option
Truck-mounted platform
Aerial work platform on a truck chassis — combines road mobility with working reach for roadside jobs.
Typical working heights: 17–72 m
Strengths: Quickly on site, no separate transport logistics, ideal for road works and work on energy networks
Limits: The required Belgian driving licence category is needed, restricted access on tight sites
Rent truck-mounted platforms →
Spider lift (tracked platform)
Hydraulic aerial work platform on a crawler 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 = no local emissions
Limits: Slow self-propulsion; transport by low-loader required
Rent spider lifts (tracked platforms) →
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 types; ideal for narrow aisles and tight indoor spaces
Limits: No outreach; low load capacity; indoor use only
Which aerial work platform for which job?
Choosing the right type depends on several factors:
| Criterion | Scissor | Articulating | Telescopic | Truck | Spider | Trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working height up to 15 m | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ |
| Working height 15–30 m | ✓ (diesel) | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✗ |
| Working height >30 m | ✗ | ✓ (43 m+) | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Outreach needed | ✗ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Indoor / in halls | ✓✓ (E) | ✓ (E) | ✓ (E) | ✗ | ✓✓ (E) | ✓✗ |
| Difficult terrain | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓✓ | ✗ |
| High load capacity (>400 kg) | ✓✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
E = electric version available
Drive types: diesel, electric, hybrid/bi-energy
Electric: No local emissions, quiet, suitable for halls, needs firm hard floors; typical for scissor lifts, mast lifts and compact articulating booms
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 in brief
Anyone operating an aerial work platform needs the required operator qualification under Belgian well-being at work rules — not a statutory 'licence', but demonstrable, adequate training ensured by the employer. Details: Operator qualification: what operators and employers need to know →
Aerial work platforms fall under the Code on Well-being at Work, Book IV (work equipment), with periodic inspection by an external technical inspection body (EDTC/SECT). With rental platforms from Luibl Rental, the inspection is always up to date. Details: Periodic inspection of aerial work platforms →
When working in the platform with personal fall protection equipment, designated and 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 job 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 organising of inspections and maintenance, no storage and transport effort. The break-even point for buying your own machine lies, depending on machine class and utilisation, at around 150–250 rental days per year — often more than most construction companies need for a single platform type.
Luibl Rental delivers all platform types throughout Belgium, by low-loader to your site. Rent an aerial work platform now → | Request a quote →
In-depth guides on the individual platform types
Each type has its own guide with variants, heights, load capacities and limits of use:
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 work), spider lifts (rough terrain) and trailer-mounted platforms (towable 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 enough 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?
The scissor lift rises vertically without outreach — but with high load capacity and a stable, wide platform. The articulating boom lift combines knuckle boom and telescopic boom and can reach sideways over obstacles — but with lower load capacity and a smaller platform.
Who may operate an aerial work platform?
Every operator needs the required operator qualification: adequate training ensured by the employer under Belgian well-being at work rules. In addition, an operator briefing on the specific machine at rental handover is required. Details: Operator qualification →
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 →