Rolling Tower Scaffolding Vs. Scissor Lifts: When Should You Use Them?

Posted on April 1, 2022 in Scaffolding

Rolling Tower ScaffoldingThere’s a time and a place for using a scissor lift or rolling tower. For example, when a church needs repairs done high above its altar stage, the first inclination might be to run down to the local equipment rental store and pick up a scissor lift for a few days.

But how exactly do you get a ~4,000lb piece of equipment onto a raised platform in a confined space inside a church? Spoiler: you don’t.

Rolling towers and scissor lifts both provide vertical access to job sites. However, that’s where the similarities end. Read on to learn more about scaffolding vs. scissor lifts and which one you should consider using.

Rolling Tower Scaffolding

Rolling towers are essentially scaffolds that are about 25 ft high and use castor-style wheels that permit movement of the base. Rolling towers allow workers to safely complete their work over a longer distance than permitted by a stationary scaffold. When workers are on the rolling tower, the wheels manually lock to help ensure a stable work site.

You might hear rolling towers referred by one of several different names, such as:

  • Rolling scaffold
  • Mobile scaffold
  • Baker scaffolding (this is a smaller version)

The biggest advantages of a rolling tower are that they are agile, mobile, and can easily be broken down and moved into any work area that would prevent a scissor lift vehicle from gaining safe access. 

For example, rolling towers are the ideal solution when you need to get behind a boiler in a wall cavity where you can’t drive a scissor lift into this confined space. You can maneuver the rolling tower as needed, and the team can access the HVAC or pipe system and get the job done. 

Towers are also far lighter than a scissor lift, and they can have a much larger deck, such as 8’ x 8’ or 10’ x 10’. You can also build one in a confined space and roll it back and forth to get to where you need to go.

You should opt for a rolling tower scaffold if:

  • Weight is a concern
  • Accessibility is a concern
  • The size of the deck is a concern
  • Your job requires flexibility and mobility 

Going back to the example of the church that we started with, rolling towers are the perfect choice for working in such a space. Churches usually have a small slope going up to the pulpit, so you can’t get a scissor lift into the space even if you take out the pews. The floor is not level, and so the scissor lift would tip over. 

But we can build a rolling tower in between the pews and adjust the jack so the tower is level. It can build up to 25 feet, run parallel to the pews, and provide the perfect access for the team to do their work. 

Scissor Lift

Scissor lifts come in many shapes and sizes. From the standard 19’ 2WD lift to the 50’ 4WD models built on a truck chassis, they allow workers to perform their jobs at varying heights while being mobile. 

They weigh a lot and are pretty big in physical size, preventing them from accessing smaller confined spaces, such as freight elevators. Scissor lifts are kind of like a car in terms of maneuverability—you can only turn the wheels and maneuver it so much.

It’s impossible to use a scissor lift on sloping ground—even the 4WD models are only designed to go up and down and cannot compensate for even a slight floor grade. To do so would put the workers and the lift at immense risk of tipping over.

Decks are also much smaller on scissor lifts when compared to rolling towers. The limited deck space can prevent some trades from adequately performing their jobs or require multiple up and down trips. 

You should opt for a scissor lift if:

  • The ground is flat.
  • You can easily drive the lift into and out of the work area.
  • You only need a smaller deck space, such as 3’ x 8’.

“We’ll often get calls asking for help getting scissor lifts into tight places like a stage in a church or theater. But we always explain that rolling towers are the better choice for these hard-to-access and unlevel jobs.” 

-Brian Lish, Carolina Business Development Manager

Example of a Rolling Tower Scaffolding System in Use

The Scaffolding Experts 

When deciding whether to use a scissor lift vs. a rolling tower, keep in mind that you need the right tool for the job. You wouldn’t use a Phillips screwdriver to hammer in a nail—nor would you use a scissor lift for areas that prevent easy and safe access. 

At Scaffolding Solutions, we’re passionate about scaffolding and here to help engineer the right scaffolding for your job. Give us a call or send us an email to learn more about our scaffolding services. 

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Alec HawkinsAlec Hawkins ★★★★★ Frank and the rest of the team were very responsive and thorough. Set up was quick and professional. Great to work with!Response from the ownerThank you, Alec! It was an absolute pleasure to serve you! Looking forward to many more successful partnerships to come. Chase JohnsonChase Johnson ★★★★★ Great company to be a part of. Culture,teamwork, and continued growth. 3+ years working with Scaffolding Solutions and watching the company grow before my very eyes has been humbling but also incredible.Response from the ownerThank you, Chase! Glad to have you on our team! Artie RichardArtie Richard ★★★★★ Scaffolding Solutions executed a very critical task over this past weekend on a live rail shut down, which included a lift plan, which was very difficult but due to the competency of Johnny and Jeffrey amongst there other peers, they were able to overcome all the obstacles and stand the test of time without encountering any first aids, near misses, injuries. Goal ZERO. Way to go guys. WMS SAFETY REP.Response from the ownerArtie, thank you for the opportunity to serve you! We place safety above all else and also place a strong emphasis on communication and planning to ensure successful outcomes like this one. Thanks again! See you on the next one. Todd WilliamsTodd Williams ★★★★★ I’ve now been working at Scaffolding Solutions for 8 years and it’s been the best 8 years of my life. I’ve learned so much from so many great and smart people within the company. Our safety standards by far exceed from any other company I’ve ever dealt with. So if you’re looking for any sort of access needs or shoring needs (plus much more) please reach out so we can help. We’re definitely part of the solution not part of the problem.Response from the ownerWe're glad to have you on our team, Todd! Congrats on the 8 years of service! Cam WitmanCam Witman ★★★★★ Scaffolding Solutions has been a top notch business to work with. 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David addresses any issue proactive and fast and Jefferson and his team execute the assembly and dismantle flawlessly. the 3D digital plans from their design team was spectacular and greatly appreciated by our client. This is a tight knit group and they are now part of the NPPinc.family. The appreciation I have for them being able to deliver this project like they did and within our budget cannot be expressed enough.10 stars and highly recommended!!Response from the ownerThank you, David! Working together with your team was a natural fit and an absolute pleasure for us. We appreciated the fluid and open communication and how well the entire Project Team planned out every detail of the operation beforehand to ensure 100% success: Safety, Quality, Schedule, Function, etc., etc.. We believe in creating strong relationships with our Partners that are built on Trust and shared Values where we all work towards achieving our common goals. 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No seating had to be removed, crew did a great job avoiding any potential damage. The project scope is to install new HVAC into "barrel vaulted ceiling" attic.A Great Experience, pricing, professional service, and the installation crew was excellent. I Would Highly Recommend for your scaffolding needs.Response from the ownerWe appreciate the opportunity to have partnered with you on this project! The communication, planning and collaboration between our respective teams was incredible! We take great care to provide amazing service, quality and pricing for our partners. Thanks again! Jose GodoyJose Godoy ★★★★★ Material fácil de maniobrar. No es pesado. Excelente compañíaResponse from the ownerThank you Jose! We appreciate your support Eliseo EscobarEliseo Escobar ★★★★★ Great communication, great team experienceResponse from the ownerThank you Eliseo! We appreciate your business David “Rip” HerbertDavid “Rip” Herbert ★★★★★ Response from the ownerThank you Ruff! We appreciate your business and look forward to many more successful projects together! thomas hallwigthomas hallwig ★★★★★ Working with Frank Giuliano, Yoni Tobar, and Jefferson Borro on our hospital project was an exceptional experience. Despite facing extremely tight logistics and poor access, their dedication to 100% safety never wavered. Their expertise in scaffolding and trash chute installation was evident, ensuring the project ran smoothly from start to finish.What truly impressed us was their outstanding communication throughout. They kept us informed every step of the way, addressing any concerns promptly and effectively. Their ability to navigate the challenges of the project and maintain clear communication truly blew our hats off.I highly recommend Frank, Yoni, and Jefferson for any project requiring precision, safety, and excellent communication. Five stars without hesitation!Response from the ownerThank you, Thomas! 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They paid attention to the needs I requested for support needed for an MRI. They with detailed drawings for me to approve and plan of attack the was perfect .Response from the ownerThanks Robert! We were very excited to partner with you on this important project! Planning and meticulous project coordination in advance of the start of work ensures a smooth and 100% safe work execution. Have a great day! heydy Landaverdeheydy Landaverde ★★★★★ Jeremy WishonJeremy Wishon ★★★★★ Frank was awesome to work with. The service was top notch, got the ball rolling immediately, and got us set up faster than expected. Looking forward to working with them on future projects.Response from the ownerThank you Jeremy! We appreciate your continued partnership and trust. Lynn PierceLynn Pierce ★★★★★ Great service! Exceptional communication! I’m greatly to worked with Scaffolding Solutions.Response from the ownerThank you Lynn! It was a pleasure to partner with you. 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Hal CoganHal Cogan ★★★★★ Frank and his team with Scaffolding Solutions were great! Even with last minute changes and numerous headaches the day of they still got the job done. I look forward to working with them again!Response from the ownerThank you, Hal! Our goal is to provide the best service, safety and pricing of any other access company in the DMV. Exceeding your expectations is our mission! Hann HannHann Hann ★★★★★ Frank & his team didn't meet our expectations, they exceeded them. Everyone was extremely professionally throughout the project. Communication was over the top. Couldn't have asked for more complete turnkey service. Scaffolding Solutions is top of the list for any scaffold or shoring needs.Response from the ownerThank you! The amazing partnership, friendship and teamwork we have with Hann and Hann is what we're all about. 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Giselle AllenGiselle Allen ★★★★★ I recently had my fourth floor loft terrace enclosed. Scaffolding Solutions, LLC is the only choice you need to ensure your project is successful! Frank Giuliano visited my home and assessed the area, then coordinated with the Patio Enclosure installation manager to build a custom design that was efficient for the project. Frank’s customer service was remarkable. He constantly communicated updates and I felt very comfortable contacting him with any questions. The scaffolding crew only took one day to assemble and disassemble the scaffold without incident. They were pleasant, professional and respectful of my property. Hands down this was the best experience and I definitely recommend Scaffolding Solutions, LLC.Response from the ownerThank you Giselle! We were happy to be able to help you with your project...and are very glad the experience was so positive for you. Have an amazing day! 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