Spider Lifts Eliminate Scaffolding and Provide Safety
Picture a tarantula the size of a Volkswagen. Now strap an extended-reach boom and bucket to its back, and you’ve got a pretty accurate image of a spider lift. Known for their unique combination of maneuverability and brawny construction, the spider lift provides:
- Working heights that span from 18' to 160'
- Low ground bearing pressures to protect fragile ecosystems and costly grounds
- Compact dimensions that enable it to fit into narrow alleys and take up minimal space in storage
Produced by leading lift manufacturers that include Niftylift, Genie, JLG, Palazzani, and TCA Lifting, popular configurations and their associated costs include:
| Spider Lift Dimension and Pricing | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Max Work Height | Max Outreach | Max Basket Capacity | Track/ Wheels | JIB | Estimated Cost |
| Low Range | 18' - 75' | 16'- 50' | 450 - 500 lbs. | Tracks | Standard | $7,000 - $20,000 |
| Mid Range | 90' - 115' | 50' - 55' | 450 - 500 lbs. | Both | Telescopic | $32,000 - $98,000 |
| Upper Range | 127' - 160' | 52' - 65' | 500 lbs. | Both | Telescopic | $90,000 - $225,000 |
Available with tracked or wheeled chassis and capable of 360-degree rotation, spider lifts are designed for everything from simple building maintenance and tree trimming on city streets to construction and other industrial applications located in rugged environments. To accommodate the widest possible variety of terrain, their “legs” lock into place to guarantee stability. Unlike a standard boom lift, this feature enables them to be securely positioned on steps, multi-leveled platforms, and gradients that range from 25% to 45%.
Say goodbye to scaffolding
Size and maneuverability aside, one of the greatest benefits associated with a spider lift is the cost-savings in comparison to scaffolding. Factoring in the effort and time involved with setting up and tearing down scaffolding, spider lifts are shown to be far easier to position and reposition for the common height variations that occur on a jobsite. With a spider lift, smaller jobs could be easily completed in the same amount of time it would take just to construct the scaffolding.
Plus, hurried construction and compromised components can make scaffolding a safety risk. In comparison, most spider lifts are engineered to include several emergency systems and multiple interlocking protections - not to mention the cage and safety harnesses – to ensure the wellbeing of operators, as well as those on the ground.
Standard features and popular add-ons
From forestry and window cleaning to signage and lighting installation, a spider lift is suited to an endless range of industries and applications. Leveraging its unique design against a host of popular features and upgrades, these multi-use machines service a variety of height access challenges.
Popular features include:
- Tracks or wheels that provide safe, reliable movement on any terrain.
- Diesel, battery, electric, and dual power for the most cost-effective fuel option.
- Heavy-duty lifting capacity (usually capable of supporting two people and tools).
- Self-leveling platforms
- Telescopic jib that provides a high degree of agility at extreme heights - a feature commonly used for bridge inspections
- Interactive display and operator interface that enable fine-tuning of performance.
- Gradeability options that provide safe operation up to 25% with wheels, and 45% with tracks.
- Non-marking, white rubber tracks or tires that enable indoor operation (ideal for cathedrals and similar buildings with high ceilings and multiple stories).
Spider lift rental
If your needs are short-term or you don’t want to invest that heavily in a piece of machinery, spider lift rentals can deliver almost any of the height ranges available for purchase and can even have the labor contracted out to a qualified operator. They’re also typically covered against breakdowns in most cases, making them a highly cost-effective option for jobs that last less than six months.
Expect daily rates to apply Monday through Friday, with a day consisting of 8 hours. After the 8-hour period, many rental houses will pro-rate excess time, including spider lift operator overtime if applicable.
- Rates for smaller machines (10' to 25') can cost $75 to $110 (daily), $180 to $440 (weekly), and $350 to $1,800 (monthly).
- Costs for larger spider lift rentals (30' to 50') can run $140 to $350 (daily), $400 to $1,500 (weekly), and $650 to $3,200 (monthly).
Note: the above rates do not include operator wages, which could cost an additional $15 to $30 per hour or more depending on your locale and operator experience.
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