Aerial lifts – hydraulic platforms for lifting a person or people – come in many sizes and varieties. Man lifts are a specialized type of aerial lift, designed to hoist a single person straight up and down. They’re increasingly called “vertical personnel lifts,” but the familiar term “man lift” is still commonly used.

The primary reason to choose a man lift over boom or articulated lifts is the cost: man lifts can be significantly cheaper than similar-sized lifts with more degrees of movement. For applications where vertical reach is the primary concern, a man lift is the most economical choice.

The most basic consideration when choosing a lift is the height you need to reach. Man lifts can reach heights of 20 to 100 feet, more than most other types of lifts except the largest boom lifts.

Man lifts are designed to hoist one person at a time, so weight limits don’t matter much. However their one-passenger limit can be problematic for some uses.

Also consider where your will be conducting your work. Most man lifts are designed to be used indoors, so they’re usually electric-powered to avoid the noxious fumes produced by gasoline or diesel models.

Look for lifts that are designed compactly so they can be used in congested areas or narrow aisles with tight turning radiuses.

You can find new vertical lifts for as little as $5,000 to $10,000, and used lifts for as little as half that.