How to Choose the Right Access Equipment for Your Job Site

Selecting the correct access equipment can make or break your project’s efficiency, safety and overall cost. With so many options including scissor lifts, boom lifts, telehandlers, forklifts and more; choosing the right machine isn’t always straightforward.

At Australian Access Hire (AAH), we help contractors, builders and industrial clients across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth find the perfect equipment for their needs. Here’s a simple breakdown of what to consider when selecting access machinery.

1. Start with the Height You Need

The first question is always:

 How high do you need to work?

• Scissor lifts are ideal for straight-up, vertical access (6–16m typical range).
• Knuckle boom lifts provide both height and horizontal outreach.
• Straight boom lifts offer maximum height and outreach for large or open sites.

Knowing your maximum working height avoids hiring an under-sized machine.

2. Check Whether You Need Horizontal Reach

If you need to reach:

• Over obstacles
• Across machinery
• Up and over structures
• Around tight corners

…then a knuckle boom or straight boom is usually the right choice. We recommend reaching out to our national customer services team who can assist you in selecting the right access equipment for your project.

Scissor lifts don’t provide horizontal outreach, so they’re only suitable for vertical access.

3. Assess the Ground Conditions

The machine must match your surface:

• Slab (concrete) scissor lifts → smooth indoor floors
• Rough terrain scissor lifts → uneven outdoor ground
• 4×4 boom lifts → construction sites with mud, gravel or slopes

Choosing the wrong type can lead to safety risks and costly delays. Our customer services team is readily available to help you select the right access equipment to get the job done safely.

4. Indoor or Outdoor Use?

This determines the power type:

Indoor use:

• Electric scissor lifts
• Electric knuckle booms
• Zero-emission machines
  ✔ Quiet
  ✔ Fume-free
  ✔ Safe around workers

Outdoor use:

• Diesel scissor lifts
• Diesel boom lifts
  ✔ More power
  ✔ Longer run time
  ✔ Handles wind and rough terrain

If you’re working in both environments, AAH can recommend hybrid or flexible equipment options.

5. Consider Weight Limit and Platform Size

Think about:

• How many workers will be on the platform
• Tools and materials they need to carry
• Whether you require extra-wide platforms

6. Think About Manoeuvrability

For tight spaces:

• Compact scissor lifts
• Small electric knuckle booms
• Articulated machines with zero tail swing

For open sites or large distances:

• Straight boom lift
• Large rough-terrain scissor lifts

7. Still Not Sure? AAH Can Help

With thousands of successful hires across Australia, AAH can quickly recommend the safest and most cost-effective equipment for:

• Construction
• Maintenance
• Warehousing
• Industrial facilities
• Mining
• Events
• Retail fitouts
• Civil works
• Infrastructure projects

Hire Smart with Australian Access Hire

Choosing the right machine ensures you get the job done safely, efficiently and within budget. At Australian Access Hire, we service Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, offering:

• A huge range of scissor lifts, boom lifts and telehandlers
• Fast delivery
• Competitive hire rates
• Expert advice
• 24/7 support

Whether you’re planning a new project or need equipment urgently, AAH is here to help. Contact us now.