Get FinancingThe Confusing World Of ‘Man Lifts’— A Simple Guide to Aerial Work Platforms
Have you ever been told to find a “man lift” and suddenly found yourself drowning in a sea of terms like boom lifts, scissor lifts, and cherry pickers?
You're not alone. With so many types of lifts on the market, it’s easy to ask: What exactly is a man lift?
The term “man lift” is a catch-all phrase used to describe various mechanical lifting equipment designed to safely elevate personnel to elevated work areas. More formally and accurately, these machines are known as “aerial lifts” or, under updated safety standards, “mobile elevated work platforms” (MEWPs).
Each type of man lift serves a range of applications, from indoor maintenance to rugged construction work. For optimal safety, productivity, and efficiency, it’s important to choose the exact right man lift for the job.
In this post, we’ll cut through the confusion, break down the most common types of man lifts, and explain why understanding the proper terminology is key so you can confidently choose the type you need.
What Is a Man Lift?
A man lift, more formally known as an aerial work platform (AWP), is a mechanical device designed to lift personnel to heights they can’t reach safely and efficiently with a ladder or scaffolding. They typically feature a platform or bucket, safety rails, and a lifting mechanism powered by hydraulics, electricity, or gas.
While “man lift” is a general term, the industry recognizes a variety of distinct machines that fall under this umbrella—each with its own strengths and applications.
Types of Man Lifts
Scissor Lifts
Scissor lifts provide vertical elevation, moving straight up and down using a cross-braced, scissor-like support system. They offer larger platform areas and high load capacities, making them ideal for tasks requiring multiple workers or heavy tools.
Common Scissor Lift Uses
- Warehouse stocking
- Indoor maintenance
- HVAC installation and repair
Types Of Scissor Lifts
- Electric scissor lifts are quiet and emission-free; best for flat, indoor surfaces where air quality and noise levels are concerns.
- Rough terrain scissor lifts are typically diesel-powered with all-terrain tires for outdoor or uneven or sloped jobsites.
Boom Lifts
Boom lifts feature a hydraulic arm that allows vertical and horizontal movement, giving access to hard-to-reach areas. They are especially useful when maneuvering above or around obstacles. These versatile machines are commonly equipped with a work platform, often called a basket, cage, or “bucket,” designed to safely elevate personnel.
Common Boom Lift Uses
- Tree trimming and tree care
- Electrical work
- Urban construction
- Building maintenance
- Window washing
- High-rise construction
- Holiday decorating
- Residential tree work
- Light maintenance tasks
- Stadium work
- Landscaping
- High-ceiling indoor jobs (with tracked models)
Types Of Boom Lifts
- Articulating boom lifts (knuckle booms) have multiple hinged joints in the arm, allowing them to maneuver around obstacles. These are great for tree trimming, electrical work, and urban construction jobs.
- Telescopic boom lifts (stick booms) extend in a straight line for maximum horizontal reach. These are best for building maintenance, window washing, and high-rise construction.
- Towable boom lifts are tow-behind units with articulating arms. Easy to transport and ideal for light-duty or residential tasks. These are commonly used for holiday decorating, residential tree work, and light maintenance tasks.
- Tracked articulating boom lifts (spider lifts) have extendable legs and a compact frame, allowing them to excel on rough, sloped, or soft terrain where traditional lifts can’t operate. These lifts can reach up to 100 feet (30.5 meters), are lightweight and compact, and operate on battery or hybrid power. They’re great for stadium work, landscaping and tree care, and high-ceiling indoor jobs.
For a more in-depth guide on the various types of boom lifts, including their specific features and uses, read our comprehensive boom lift guide.
Vertical Mast Lifts
Vertical mast lifts are compact, single-mast machines designed to provide straight-up access. Vertical mast lifts have a small footprint, use zero-emission electric power, and fit in tight spaces where larger boom lifts and scissor lifts can't fit. These features, plus the ability to roll through standard doorways or between production lines, make this type of lift a common choice for quick, safe elevation for a single worker using light tools and materials.
Common Vertical Lift Uses
- Facility maintenance and repairs
- Overhead electrical and cabling work
- HVAC and plumbing inspections
- Changing light fixtures and signage
- Inventory counts and stock checks
- Placing banners and high-level decor
- Retail store organization and resets
- Event setup and audiovisual rigging
- Painting and touch-up
Types Of Vertical Lifts
- Vertical mast lifts (personnel lifts, one-man lifts) are self-propelled units with a single telescoping mast that elevate one operator and a small tool load. With narrow chassis, they can be driven down hallways and between machinery.
- Push-around vertical lifts have lightweight platforms that the operator manually pushes into position and then levels with outriggers before use. These are ideal for maintenance tasks where floor loading and budget constraints rule out heavier self-propelled models.
- Order pickers (stock picker lifts) are frequent choices for warehouses, where they raise the operator along with an integrated load deck or forks, streamlining order fulfillment on multi-level racks while keeping both hands free for picking goods.
How Man Lifts Differ From Other Types Of Lifts
Think of "man lift" like the word “vehicle”—a general category that includes trucks, SUVs, and sedans. Likewise, boom lifts, scissor lifts, and vertical masts are all types of aerial lifts that fall under the umbrella term man lifts. Note, however, that aerial lift and mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) have become the industry standard terms.
Before selecting a lift, consider these questions:
- What is the required working height?
- Will the lift be used indoors or outdoors?
- Is the ground flat, sloped, or uneven?
- Do you need horizontal outreach, or just vertical access?
- What is the total load (people + tools)?
- Are there space restrictions (doorways, aisles)?
- What’s your budget or rental timeframe?
Answering these will help narrow down your options to the safest, most effective lift for your job.
Where To Buy & Finance Man Lifts
Now that you're familiar with the major types of man lifts, you can confidently talk with suppliers, compare rental options, and make smarter decisions on the jobsite.
Remember: picking the right lift isn’t just about convenience—it’s about safety, efficiency, and doing the job right the first time.
LiftsToday.com includes listings for a wide range of new and used man lifts for sale. And if you need man lift financing for a model you’ve already picked out, CurrencyFinance can help you secure lift equipment loans.