EWP Working Height & Reach Guide: Scissor Lifts, Cherry Pickers & Boom Lift Sizes
At Forklogic, we know that equipment working heights and reach calculations can be confusing when trying to choose the right size machine for your job. Booking an under-sized lift delays your project and causes work inefficiencies, while hiring an over-sized machine increases rental and transport costs unnecessarily.
To help you avoid costly site downtime, this guide breaks down the exact working heights and reach capabilities across our three primary EWP hire and sales categories: scissor lifts, cherry pickers, and boom lifts.
Use the charts and specs below to calculate your exact site requirements and select the right equipment for your trade or construction job.
Alternatively, you can call our friendly and helpful team directly to discuss your job requirements and the elevated working platforms (EWPs) options that we have available.
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EWP Measurements Explained: Working Height vs. Platform Height
One of the most common mistakes we notice when businesses are hiring an EWP is confusing Platform Height with Working Height. Ordering based on the wrong measurement can leave you meters short of the job.
The Key EWP Metrics You Need to Know:
▪️Platform Height
The maximum height the floor (deck or basket) of the machine elevates off the ground.
▪️Working Height
Calculated as Platform Height + 2 Metres (the average reach of a standing worker holding tools).
▪️Horizontal Outreach
(Booms & Cherry Pickers only) How far the basket can extend sideways from the machine's base over obstacles, roof eaves, or site debris.
▪️Stowed Height & Width
The total dimensions of the machine when lowered, critical for checking if the unit can drive through standard doorways, gates, or under low pipes.
Formula Example: A standard 19ft Electric Scissor Lift has a Platform Height of 5.8m (19ft). Adding 2m for standing reach gives an effective Working Height of 7.8m (25.5ft).
Master EWP Height and Reach Quick Reference Guide
▪️Electric Scissor Lifts (7.8m – 11.7m Working Height)
Straight vertical reach designed for indoor smooth concrete, warehouse racking, and tight retail fit-outs.
▪️Rough Terrain Scissor Lifts (12.0m – 15.1m Working Height)
Heavy-duty vertical reach built for outdoor construction, uneven ground, wall cladding, and steel erection.
▪️Cherry Pickers & Trailer Lifts (12.0m – 17.0m Working Height)
Compact vertical and horizontal reach ideal for tree pruning, residential painting, and low ground-bearing surfaces.
▪️Articulating Boom Lifts (12.5m – 26.3m Working Height)
"Up-and-over" horizontal outreach designed to maneuver around lower rooflines, pipe racks, and tight obstacles.
▪️Telescopic Straight Booms (15.7m – 28.0m+ Working Height)
Direct diagonal outreach for maximum horizontal reach on high-rise construction, bridges, and infrastructure projects.
Scissor Lift Height Guide (Vertical Access & Heavy Lifting)
Electric Slab Scissor Lifts (Indoor Fit-Outs & Warehouses)
Designed with non-marking solid rubber tyres and quiet, zero-emission battery systems for smooth indoor concrete surfaces.
|
Model Class |
Working Height |
Platform Height |
Machine Width |
Capacity (SWL) |
Best For |
|
19ft Electric |
7.8m (25.5ft) |
5.8m (19ft) |
0.76m – 0.81m |
227kg – 230kg |
Standard single doorway access, retail, electrical fit-outs |
|
26ft Electric |
9.9m (32.5ft) |
7.9m (26ft) |
0.81m – 1.17m |
227kg – 454kg |
Warehouses, factory maintenance, painting |
|
32ft Electric |
11.7m (38.5ft) |
9.7m (32ft) |
1.17m |
318kg |
High ceilings, racking installation, facility management |
Rough Terrain 4x4 Diesel Scissor Lifts (Outdoor Construction)
Built for unpaved ground, mud, and uneven building pads. Features high-torque diesel engines, foam-filled lug tyres, automatic levelling outriggers, and dual deck extensions.
|
Model Class |
Working Height |
Platform Height |
Machine Width |
Capacity (SWL) |
Key Features |
|
33ft Rough Terrain |
12.0m (39.3ft) |
10.0m (33ft) |
1.75m – 1.83m |
454kg – 680kg |
4x4 4WD, automatic levelling outriggers, cladding work |
|
43ft Rough Terrain |
15.1m (49.5ft) |
13.1m (43ft) |
2.29m |
680kg – 1,134kg |
Heavy-duty dual deck extension, steel erection |
Scissor Lifts for Hire
Scissor Lifts for Sale
Cherry Picker Height Guide
Cherry pickers (including trailer-mounted and compact boom lifts) are lightweight EWPs designed for quick setup, easy towing, and low ground pressure. They are ideal for lighter trade work where low machine weight or towability is required.
|
Model Class |
Working Height |
Platform Height |
Max Outreach |
License Req. |
Best For |
|
12m Cherry Picker |
12.0m (39.3ft) |
10.0m (32.8ft) |
Up to 6.0m |
Yellow Card (Under 11m) |
Tree pruning, residential painting, signage |
|
15m – 17m Cherry Picker |
15.0m – 17.0m |
13.0m – 15.0m |
Up to 8.5m |
High Risk Work License |
Roof repairs, multi-unit residential maintenance |
Cherry Pickers for Hire
Cherry Pickers for Sale
Boom Lift Height Guide (Up-and-Over & Maximum Outreach)
When you need to reach over an obstacle (like a canopy, pipe rack, or lower roofline) rather than straight up, a boom lift is essential.
Articulating Boom Lifts (Knuckle Booms)
Knuckle booms feature multiple jointed boom sections that provide "up and over" clearance, allowing the basket to articulate into tight working envelopes behind obstacles.
|
Model Class |
Working Height |
Platform Height |
Max Outreach |
Clearance Height |
Best For |
|
34ft – 45ft Articulating |
12.5m – 15.7m |
10.5m – 13.7m |
6.1m – 7.6m |
6.0m – 7.1m |
Reaching over lower roofs, pipe racks, tight trees |
|
60ft – 80ft Articulating |
20.3m – 26.3m |
18.3m – 24.3m |
12.0m – 18.3m |
8.0m – 10.5m |
Industrial construction, hangars, high-rise access |
Telescopic Straight Boom Lifts (Maximum Direct Reach)
Straight telescopic booms extend directly outwards and upwards in a straight line, offering maximum horizontal reach and exceptional stability at extreme working heights.
|
Model Class |
Working Height |
Platform Height |
Max Outreach |
Power Options |
Best For |
|
45ft – 86ft Telescopic |
15.7m – 28.0m |
13.7m – 26.0m |
Up to 21.8m |
4x4 Diesel |
High-rise building, bridges, stadium lighting |
Boom Lifts for Hire
Boom Lifts for Sale
4 Steps to Select the Right EWP Size Before Hiring
To ensure your access machinery arrives site-ready, cross-check these four parameters:
1. Calculate Required Reach
Measure the total height to the work area, then subtract 2m to find required platform height. If working over an obstacle, measure the required horizontal outreach distance.
2. Check Access Restrictions
You will need to measure the door frames, gates, and the overhead clearances to ensure the stowed machine width and height can enter your site.
3. Check Site Ground Conditions
Choose non-marking tyres for indoor slabs or 4x4 rough terrain tyres with outriggers for mud, slopes, or unpaved ground.
4. Confirm Load Capacity (SWL)
Calculate the combined weight of all operators, tools, and materials going into the basket.
Speak with Forklogic's Access Equipment Experts
Unsure which scissor lift, cherry picker, or boom lift best matches your project specifications? The Forklogic team provides tailored advice and fast site delivery directly from our Somersby (NSW) and Kunda Park (QLD) branches.
Call 1300 360 936 to discuss your site height requirements and get a fast quote today!