AssetTrader Buying Guide to Platforms

Buying Tips

This decision to purchase a new lift or to rent is mostly based on the frequency of use. Most business operations already know how often and for what purpose they will be using the platform for, business that have operators who can provide maintenance or a service departments are the most likely to buy new.
Prices
Platform lifts do require a little bit of output but come with a long life span that makes up for this. A standard new 19’ scissor lift from a dealership will cost around $11,000 to $12,000. A 30’ scissor lift will cost around $21,000.
As for most pieces of equipment buying used is a much cheaper option if you can get a warranty of some kind. The prices for used are generally 60% cheaper, for the same 19’ scissor lift you could be set back $3,000 as opposed to $11,000. A 30’ model will cost around $14,000 this all depends of course on the condition and the hours of use on the machine.
Boom lifts are more expensive because of their flexibility and overall use. New a 30’ to 40’ lift will go for around $25,000 to $45,000. Boom lifts that extend over 110’ are a huge investment starting at over $100,000. The cheapest lift on the market is the vertical personnel lifts, which can be picked p for under $10,000. If you are looking to keep the budget down the most economical choice are “push around” models that do not come with battery or propulsion, they can be bought for $2,000.

Renting
Renting platforms is a great option for occasional work, or to do annual inventory. A scissor lift with a height range of 19’ to 30’ can be rented for $150 per day to $350 a week, going up in price as the height and weight capacity increases. As usual boom lift rental are more expensive, a boom lift that reaches 40’ can be rented for $300 per day or $1,000 per week. A 65’ boom lift can be rented for $350 to $400 per day or $1,300 to $1,800 per week. The same rules apply in renting as in buying new and the 30’ single vertical lifts are by far the cheaper option going for around $75 per day or $200 per week.
As with all investments in equipment, warranties are a must. For most used lifts the most you can expect is a 30-day guarantee.