Last updated: October 2026

Photos are the first thing equipment buyers look at, and they are often the reason a buyer clicks on one listing instead of another. Good photos answer buyers’ questions before they call, build trust and help your machine sell faster.

This guide covers the four corners rule, a full shot checklist, tips for better photos, and the mistakes to avoid when you photograph construction equipment for sale.

In this guide:

• The four corners rule
• Construction equipment photo checklist
• How to photograph a scissor lift
• Tips for better equipment photos
• Common photo mistakes to avoid
• List your equipment on FleetNow
• FAQs

The simplest way to cover a machine is the four corners rule. Stand at each corner of the machine (front left, front right, back left and back right) and take a photo that shows two sides at once, with the tires or tracks and the top of the unit in the frame.

These four shots give buyers a full view of the machine’s overall condition. Start with them, then move in for close-ups of the parts buyers check first.

The infographic below walks around a JLG 860SJ telescopic boom lift, with close-ups of the tires, meter and machine plate. Use it as a guide when you photograph your own equipment.

Plan on at least 10 photos for every listing, and more for larger or more complex machines. Listings with more photos get more interest from buyers. Use this checklist so you don’t miss a shot.

Showing damage clearly can help convince a buyer that your listing is accurate. Buyers who know about a problem up front are less likely to walk away after an inspection.

Scissor lifts need a few extra shots. Along with the four corners and each tire, buyers want to see the platform and slide-out deck, the control box, the underside compartments that hold the hydraulic and electrical components, and the hour meter and machine plate.

Use the guide below when you photograph a scissor lift for sale. You can also browse used scissor lifts on FleetNow, including JLG scissor lifts and Genie scissor lifts, to see how other sellers present their machines.

• Shoot in good light. Overcast days, or the first and last few hours of daylight, give even light. Avoid harsh midday sun, which causes glare and dark shadows, and keep the sun behind you.
• Clean the machine first. Wash off mud and clear trash and clutter out of the cab. A clean machine looks well cared for.
• Pick a clean background. Move the machine away from other equipment, trash and signs so buyers focus on what you are selling.
• Shoot horizontally. Landscape photos fill listing galleries better and cut out extra sky and ground.
• Use your phone’s best setting. Any recent smartphone works well. Wipe the lens, use the highest quality setting and tap the screen to focus.
• Move closer instead of zooming. Digital zoom makes photos blurry. Walk up to the part you want to show.
• Use the flash in dark spaces. Engine bays, compartments and undercarriages often need extra light.
• Show it working. If it is safe, add a photo with the boom extended or the platform raised. A short walkaround video can also help.
• Keep edits honest. Crop out extra space and brighten dark photos if needed, but skip filters and never hide flaws.

• Posting only one or two photos
• Blurry, dark or backlit photos
• Using stock photos or photos of a different unit
• Hiding damage or cropping it out of the frame
• An hour meter or serial plate that can’t be read
• Vertical photos with lots of empty sky and ground
• Old photos that no longer match the machine’s condition

Once your photos are ready, list your equipment on FleetNow. Every plan lets you receive buyer inquiries directly, update photos and equipment details at any time, and get AI-powered pricing recommendations. You can cancel anytime.

FleetNow buyers shop for used boom lifts, scissor lifts, telehandlers, forklifts, excavators and more. For a larger inventory, contact our team about a custom plan.

FleetNow does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. Section 179 and bonus depreciation rules can change, and eligibility depends on your business. Consult a qualified tax professional before making purchase decisions based on tax benefits.

Last updated: October 2026

Most scissor lift breakdowns don’t start with a failed part. They start with habits: skipped inspections, a lift left out in the rain, batteries run flat and left that way, or a job site full of debris. Fixing those habits costs far less than the repairs and downtime they cause.

This guide covers the everyday care that prevents the most common scissor lift problems, with tips from the mechanics at OHR Rents. If your lift already has a problem, see our electric scissor lift troubleshooting guide.

In this guide:

• Inspect before every shift
• Keep water and corrosion out
• Store it the right way
• Take care of the batteries
• Keep the job site clean
• Stay within the lift’s limits
• Prevention checklist
• FAQs

A pre-start inspection catches most problems while they’re still cheap to fix. Before each shift, walk around the lift and check for loose or damaged parts, fluid leaks, damaged tires, and corroded or loose battery cables. Then test the controls, emergency stop, alarms and pothole guards before going up.

ANSI A92 standards also call for a frequent inspection every 3 months or 150 hours, whichever comes first, and an annual inspection by a qualified mechanic. These deeper inspections find worn pins, hydraulic leaks and electrical problems that a walkaround can miss. Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule for your model (our scissor lift maintenance schedule explains the intervals), and keep records of every inspection and repair, since buyers will ask for them when you sell.

FleetNow’s free inspection app replaces paper checklists with digital reports you can complete in the shop or on site.

“Corrosion is what kills scissor lifts,” says Jeremy Nelson, a field service technician at OHR Rents. Water gets into battery terminals, control box connectors and wiring, and once corrosion starts, it causes electrical faults that are hard to trace. In cold climates, water trapped inside the guardrails or scissor arms can freeze, expand and split the metal.

• Don’t pressure-wash control boxes, connectors or the battery compartment.
• Dry the lift off after it has been rained on, and let it dry out before you store it.
• Clean battery terminals and connectors and keep them coated with a protective spray.
• Look for water sitting in the guardrails, scissor arms or chassis, and dry it out before freezing weather.
• Rinse off road salt and de-icing chemicals in winter, since they speed up corrosion.

Storing a scissor lift outdoors is one of the most common and expensive mistakes owners make. Rain, snow and temperature swings rust metal parts and battery terminals, and in cold weather pivot points and slides can stiffen up.

• Store slab lifts indoors in a dry place whenever possible.
• If a lift has to stay outside, park it on firm, level ground, fully lowered, and cover the controls and battery compartment with a waterproof cover.
• Lock out the controls and remove the key so no one can use it unchecked.
• For long-term storage, charge the batteries fully and follow the manufacturer’s storage instructions, which often call for turning off the battery disconnect and recharging every few weeks.
• Before putting a stored lift back to work, do a full pre-start inspection and check for nests, debris and dead batteries.

Batteries are one of the most expensive parts on an electric scissor lift, and most battery failures come from how they’re charged and stored. The right care depends on the battery type.

• Charge fully after each shift instead of topping off for short periods.
• Don’t run batteries completely flat, and never leave them discharged for days.
• Charge in a well-ventilated area, and use an extension cord rated for the charger.
• Replace batteries as a full set so new and old batteries aren’t mixed.

A weak battery set is one of the most common problems on used lifts. Our guide to electric scissor lift problems covers how to troubleshoot battery and charger faults.

Job site debris damages lifts in ways operators often don’t notice until something fails. Screws, nails and broken glass cut tires, while string, wire and tape wrap around wheels and axles and damage seals and motors. Paint overspray, drywall dust and dirt work their way into controls, switches and scissor pins and cause them to stick.

• Sweep the travel path before driving, especially around framing and drywall work.
• Check the wheels, axles and pothole guards for wrapped string, wire and tape at the end of each shift.
• Cover the platform controls when painting, spraying or sanding.
• Keep the deck clear of tools, scraps and loose materials, and clean off stuck-on debris.

Many expensive repairs come from asking a lift to do more than it was built for.

• Weight: stay within the platform and extension deck capacity, including people, tools and materials. Overloading wears pins and cylinders and is a major cause of accidents.
• Indoor vs. outdoor ratings: many slab lifts allow fewer people and a lower height outdoors. Check the decals, and don’t use a slab lift on rough ground. Use a rough terrain scissor lift instead.
• Wind and slopes: follow the maximum wind speed and grade on the decals, and never raise the platform on a slope.
• Transport: lower the platform fully, use the tie-down points and avoid using the lift to push or pull loads.

Buying a used lift? Signs of neglect, such as corroded connectors, water damage, weak batteries and missing inspection records, are red flags. Our guide to buying a used scissor lift covers what to ask the seller, and our scissor lift FAQs answer common questions about heights, safety rules and training.

FleetNow lists used scissor lifts from rental companies, dealers and contractors across the country. Browse all used scissor lifts, slab scissor lifts or rough terrain scissor lifts, or shop by brand: Genie, JLG, Skyjack or MEC. Our brand guides compare models and prices for Genie, JLG, Skyjack and MEC scissor lifts.

Can’t find the lift you need? Contact FleetNow or call 1-216-973-5124. Have a lift to sell? List your equipment on FleetNow.

Last updated: October 19, 2026

A telescopic handler, or telehandler, is a versatile lifting machine that combines the reach of a crane with the lifting ability of a forklift. Telehandlers are used on construction sites, farms, warehouses and industrial sites to lift and place heavy materials, and with the right attachment they can do much more.

Whether you’re buying a used telehandler or deciding whether to rent, this guide covers telehandler types and sizes, popular models, prices, what to inspect before you buy, safety requirements and transport.

Table of Contents

• Types of Telehandlers
• Telehandler Sizes and Popular Models
• Top Telehandler Brands
• How Much Does a Telehandler Cost?
• Is It Worth Buying a Telehandler?
• What to Look for When Buying a Used Telehandler
• How Many Hours Does a Telehandler Last?
• Telehandler Attachments and Uses
• Telehandler Safety and Training
• How to Transport a Telehandler
• FAQs

Fixed (standard) telehandlers: The most common type. The cab and boom face forward on a fixed frame, and the machine drives to where it needs to place a load. They’re mobile and well suited to moving materials around a job site. Browse fixed telehandlers for sale.

Rotating telehandlers: The cab and boom sit on a turntable that rotates up to 360°, and outriggers stabilize the machine. Because they can place loads in a full circle without moving, they’re useful in tight spaces and can double as a small crane or aerial work platform with the right attachments.

Compact telehandlers: Small, low-profile machines (about 5,500 lb capacity and 18–19 ft lift height) that fit through tight access points and under low clearances. They’re popular on farms, landscaping jobs and residential construction.

High-capacity telehandlers: Heavy-duty machines that lift 15,000 lb or more, used for precast, steel and heavy industrial work.

Telehandlers are usually described by lift capacity and lift height. In most model names, those two numbers are built in: a JLG 1055 lifts 10,000 lb to 55 ft, and a Genie GTH-844 lifts 8,000 lb to about 44 ft.

Specs are based on current JLG and Genie models. Capacity drops as the boom extends, so always check the machine’s load chart for the reach and height you need.

The most common telehandler brands on the North American used market include:

• JLG telehandlers: the widest lineup, from compact models to 26,600-lb high-capacity machines
• Genie telehandlers: the GTH line, from the compact GTH-5519 to the 12,000-lb GTH-1256
• SkyTrak telehandlers: a JLG brand popular in rental fleets
• JCB telehandlers: known for its Loadall line
• CAT telehandlers

New telehandler prices depend mainly on lift capacity and height. Based on current dealer asking prices, new compact telehandlers run about $60,000–$72,000, mid-size models about $115,000–$130,000, and 55-ft high-reach models about $160,000–$190,000. High-capacity models are usually quoted on request.

Used telehandlers cost far less. Here’s what common models are listed for on FleetNow:

Prices are FleetNow asking prices as of October 2026 and change daily. Hours, condition, year and location drive most of the spread.

It depends on how often you’ll use it. If you only need a telehandler during peak seasons or for a single short project, renting is usually cheaper. Rental rates depend on size, region and rental length, and weekly and monthly rates are discounted compared with daily rates.

For long-term or year-round use, buying is usually the better value. Rentals carry overuse charges if you exceed contracted hours, and a rented machine isn’t an asset you own. A telehandler you buy can be used as collateral or resold later, and a well-maintained used machine holds its value well.

Before you buy a used telehandler, inspect these areas or ask for a third-party inspection:

Mechanical systems

• Check the engine for leaks, including the ground beneath the machine, and inspect seals and gaskets for wear.
• Check engine fluids and filters.
• Test the steering (including all steer modes) and the service and parking brakes.
• Check the hydraulics for leaks and listen for unusual noises while operating the boom.
• Check the hour meter and make sure it hasn’t been tampered with.

Structural systems

• Inspect the boom, boom wear pads, frame and carriage for rust, cracks, bent metal or poor welds.
• Extend and retract the boom fully and watch for jerky movement.
• Make sure forks and attachments are the right size and rating for the machine.

Maintenance records

• Ask for service and inspection records, including annual inspections.
• Check the time between service dates. Ex-rental machines are often fleet maintained on a set schedule.

General condition

• Look for wear on the cab, glass, seat and controls.
• Check tire condition and make sure the load charts and decals are present and readable.

Make and model support: A great price on an older or discontinued model can be offset by hard-to-find parts and service. Popular models from JLG, Genie and SkyTrak are the easiest to support.

Telehandlers often run at low RPMs, so with routine maintenance, the engine can commonly reach around 10,000 hours before needing major work. In harsh, high-use applications, that can drop closer to 5,000 hours. When comparing used machines, hours matter, but maintenance history and condition matter just as much.

Attachments are what make telehandlers so versatile. Common options include:

• Forks and fork carriages
• Buckets
• Work platforms (for lifting personnel, where approved by the manufacturer)
• Truss booms and lifting hooks
• Pipe grapples
• Augers
• Snow buckets and plows

With these, telehandlers handle material placement on construction sites, bale handling on farms, elevated work, snow removal and waste handling at sanitation and recycling centers.

OSHA treats telehandlers as rough terrain forklifts, so operators must be trained and evaluated under OSHA’s powered industrial truck standard (29 CFR 1910.178). The ANSI/ITSDF B56.6 standard also covers rough terrain forklift design and use.

Key safe-operation guidelines:

• Never operate a telehandler until you’re trained and authorized on that machine.
• Inspect the work area, including ground conditions, overhead hazards and power lines.
• Always use the load chart for the attachment, boom angle and extension you’re working with.
• Wear required PPE, and use fall protection in any approved work platform attachment.
• Keep loads low while traveling and secure tools and materials.
• Know where the emergency controls are and how to use them.

If you rent, the rental company usually delivers the machine. If you buy, you’ll need to arrange transport on a trailer rated for the machine’s weight. Follow the manufacturer’s operator manual, and keep these steps in mind:

• Confirm the telehandler’s weight and dimensions, and make sure the trailer and truck are rated for them.
• Fully retract and lower the boom, and lower or remove the attachment.
• Use the machine’s designated tie-down points and secure it with chains and binders according to transport regulations.
• For propane-powered machines, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the LP tank.
• Check the total load height and plan your route around low bridges and overpasses.

Last updated: October 2026

A vertical mast lift is a compact, battery-powered aerial work platform that raises one worker straight up on a telescoping mast. Most models are about 30 inches wide, weigh 1,700 to 3,300 lb and reach 12 to 25 ft of platform height (18 to 31 ft working height), so they roll through standard doorways, fit in many freight elevators and work in aisles where a scissor lift won’t fit.

This guide covers how vertical mast lifts work, the current models from Genie, JLG, Skyjack, Haulotte and MEC, how they compare to scissor lifts, what they cost new and used, and what to check before you buy one.

In this guide:

• What is a vertical mast lift
• How vertical mast lifts work
• Vertical mast lift models and specs
• Vertical mast lift vs scissor lift
• Common uses
• Pros and cons
• Vertical mast lift prices
• What to check before buying used
• Safety and training
• FAQs

A vertical mast lift (also called a personnel lift, mast lift or, in Genie’s lineup, a Runabout) is a self-propelled aerial work platform built around a single telescoping mast. The platform carries one worker and a small amount of tools or material, and the operator drives and steers from the platform, even at full height on most models.

Under ANSI A92.20, vertical mast lifts are Group A machines, which means the platform stays inside the machine’s tipping lines as it rises. Driveable models that are steered from the platform while raised are Type 3, the same class as slab scissor lifts.

Standard vertical mast lifts reach 11 to 25 ft of platform height. A few models add a jib that swings the platform up and over shelving or equipment, such as the Genie GR-26J and the JLG Toucan 26E, which reach about 26 ft of platform height with 8 to 9 ft of outreach.

A set of nested mast sections extends with a hydraulic cylinder powered by a 24-volt battery pack. Most masts use chains or cables and sheaves to raise the sections in sequence. Skyjack’s current SJ12 E, SJ16 E and SJ20 E use a multi-stage cylinder instead, which removes the mast chains, cables and sheaves.

Common features on current models include:

• Drive at full height: most models drive at about 0.5 mph when raised and about 2.5 mph when stowed.
• Pothole guards: guards drop below the chassis as the platform rises. If they don’t deploy, drive and lift are disabled.
• Tilt alarm and load sense: the machine stops lifting or driving if it is on too steep a slope or the platform is overloaded.
• Roll-out deck: many models have a platform extension that slides out about 16 in, usually rated for 250 lb.
• Emergency lowering: a manual lowering valve brings the platform down if power or controls fail.
• Non-marking tires: standard on indoor models to protect finished floors.

The table below lists the current vertical mast lifts sold in North America. Heights are the maximum indoor ratings; models rated for outdoor use often have a lower outdoor height. Specs are from manufacturer spec sheets.

A few other models are worth knowing when you shop used:

• Genie QS-12, QS-15 and QS-20 (QuickStock): indoor-only versions of the GR series with a stock tray for order picking.
• Genie GRC-12: a 12 ft contractor model, now rated for indoor use only.
• JLG 15MSP, 20MSP and 20MVL: discontinued models that JLG replaced with the E18MCL and E18MML. Used JLG 20MVL units are common and inexpensive.
• Skyjack SJ12 and SJ16 (before the E series): earlier chain-mast versions that are widely available used.
• Larger jib models: the JLG Toucan 32E (32 ft 3 in platform height), Haulotte Star 26 J and MEC MME30-RJ reach about 26 to 32 ft with a rotating jib.

Browse used units by brand: JLG vertical mast lifts, Skyjack vertical mast lifts and Genie Runabouts.

Vertical mast lifts and slab scissor lifts cover similar heights, but they suit different jobs. A scissor lift gives you a bigger platform and more capacity. A vertical mast lift is lighter and narrower, and the platform sits off the front of the machine so you can work closer to shelving, walls and equipment.

If you need two workers or a lot of material on the platform, a slab scissor lift is the better fit. For one-person jobs in tight spaces, a vertical mast lift is usually faster to move and set up. Our scissor lift types guide covers the scissor side in more detail.

Vertical mast lifts are built for indoor work on flat, finished floors. Common jobs include:

• Warehousing and stock picking: pulling cartons from upper shelves, especially with stock-picker models such as the Genie QS series, JLG E18MML and Haulotte Star 13 Picking.
• Retail stores: restocking, signage, displays and overnight resets in narrow aisles.
• Facility maintenance: changing lights and ceiling tiles, and servicing HVAC, sprinklers and cameras.
• Electrical and low-voltage work: running cable through ceilings and cable trays.
• Interior construction: drywall, ceiling grid, painting and finish work in fit-outs.
• Schools, hospitals, offices and data centers: work in occupied buildings where a machine has to fit through doors and elevators and leave floors unmarked.

• Narrow and light enough for standard doorways, many freight elevators and most finished floors
• Drives at full height, so one worker can reposition without coming down
• Platform overhangs the front of the machine for closer access to shelves and walls
• Battery powered, quiet and emission free for indoor use
• Low used prices: many units sell for $4,000 to $8,000

• Small platform that usually carries one worker
• Lower capacity than a scissor lift, often 350 lb on 20 ft models
• Limited or no outdoor rating on many models
• Needs flat, firm floors; not suited to rough or sloped ground
• Mast chains, cables and wear pads need regular inspection

Used vertical mast lifts are among the most affordable aerial work platforms. Standard 12 to 20 ft models usually sell for $4,000 to $8,000, while late-model units and jib models cost much more. New standard models generally run about $18,000 to $31,000, depending on brand, height and whether you pay list or dealer street price.

Used prices are FleetNow asking prices from up to the first 40 listings on each model page in October 2026. Skyjack list prices are from Skyjack’s 2026 price guide for standard configurations; dealer prices are advertised prices for new 2026 units. Prices change often, so check current vertical mast lift listings for today’s numbers.

What drives the price of a used unit:

• Age and model generation: newer units with load sense and current ANSI A92.20 guardrails sell for more.
• Battery condition: replacing a worn battery pack can cost several hundred dollars or more, so weak batteries lower the price.
• Height and jib: 20 ft and jib models cost more than 12 to 15 ft models.
• Hours and service history: low hours, clean inspection records and a recent annual inspection support a higher price.

Vertical mast lifts are simple machines, but a few items decide whether a used unit is a good buy. Check these before you commit, or have the seller send photos and videos of each one:

• Batteries and charger: ask the battery age, check for corrosion and low electrolyte on flooded batteries, and confirm the machine holds a charge through a full lift-and-drive test.
• Mast: raise the platform to full height and watch for jerky movement, noise or sections that hesitate. Look for bent sections, worn wear pads and stretched or dry chains and cables.
• Hydraulics: check the lift cylinder, hoses and fittings for leaks, and make sure the platform holds height without drifting down.
• Safety systems: confirm the pothole guards deploy, the tilt alarm works, the load sense (if equipped) is calibrated and the emergency lowering valve brings the platform down.
• Controls and drive: test drive, steering and brakes both stowed and raised, and check the platform controller and emergency stop.
• Tires and chassis: look for chunked or flat-spotted tires and damage to the base, covers and pothole guard linkage.
• Platform: check the guardrails, gate, extension deck and decals, and make sure the manual is in the storage box.
• Records: ask for the last annual inspection, service records and the serial number so you can check for open manufacturer safety bulletins.

The FleetNow Inspect app gives you a checklist to document a machine’s condition. For more on battery and electrical problems, see our guide to common electric scissor lift problems, which apply to most battery-powered lifts.

Vertical mast lifts fall under the ANSI A92.22 and A92.24 standards for safe use and training. Before anyone operates one:

• The operator needs MEWP training that covers this type of machine, plus familiarization on the specific model.
• Read the operator’s manual and do a pre-start inspection at the start of each shift.
• Have a written rescue plan for getting a worker down if the machine fails at height.
• Follow the indoor and outdoor ratings on the platform decal. Many models are indoor only or carry fewer people and less height outdoors, and outdoor-rated models should not be raised in winds above 28 mph.

Manufacturers such as Genie state that the guardrail system is the fall protection on their vertical mast lifts and provide a lanyard anchor for jobsites that require one. Many employers and sites still require a harness and short restraint lanyard, so follow your site rules.

FleetNow lists used vertical mast lifts from rental companies, dealers and contractors across the country. Start with used vertical mast lifts or Runabouts, or shop by brand: Genie, JLG, Skyjack, Haulotte and MEC. If you need a larger platform, compare scissor lifts.

Have questions about a listing? Contact our team or call 1-216-973-5124. Selling a lift? List your equipment on FleetNow.