When do I need a diesel scissor instead of an electric?
The moment the ground stops being a flat slab. Slopes past about 3°, crossfalls, mud, gravel or kerbs are all rough-terrain territory — bigger tyres, 4WD, and stabiliser legs that level the machine before you go up. Outdoors in wind is also RT territory; slab electrics are indoor machines.
How do the stabiliser legs work?
On models fitted with them, hydraulic outriggers set down and level the deck before the scissor extends — that's what lets the machine work on a slope or uneven pad safely. Setup takes a couple of minutes and the machine won't lift until it's level.
Do I need a licence?
No high-risk licence for scissors of any size — the WP class only covers boom-type lifts with 11 m+ reach. Operators must be trained and competent, and most sites want an EWPA Yellow Card.
Can it handle soft or muddy ground?
Within reason — RT scissors are built for rough sites, but soft fill and deep mud still swallow machines. Tell us honestly what the ground is like; sometimes the right answer is trench mats or road plates under the work area, which can go on the same quote.
What's the extension deck for?
Most RT scissors have a roll-out deck extension that adds a metre or two of platform — handy for reaching over obstructions or working along a façade without constantly repositioning.
How does delivery work?
They're heavy machines — several tonnes — so they come by truck or float from the nearest supplying yard, quoted per job. Flag site access, gates and any soft ground when you book and the right transport turns up first time.
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