Trapeze artists might be used to working at high altitudes without a net. After all, flirting with danger far above the ground is part of the reason they're so exciting to watch. However, working without a "safety net" on a scissor lift should not be met with the same degree of flair for the dramatic.

In fact, just the opposite should hold true. Minimizing danger is an important part of your responsibilities as a contractor. A part of that means developing and implementing a preventive maintenance (PM) program for your scissor lifts to avoid premature failures.

"A successful program can not only help you detect maintenance-related issues that can lead to unexpected downtime, it can also reduce the cost of ownership and increase machine longevity and resale value," says Bill Dovey, JLG Industries.

Rick Soltas, Skyjack service representative, agrees, noting, "The primary objective of a preventive maintenance program is to keep the scissor lift operating at its safest and most efficient level. The major benefits realized from a program are low operating costs and long life span. Other benefits include contributing to a safe work site environment and maintaining productivity."

Even with these advantages, some may question whether it's really worth the investment. "It is often hard to see the upfront benefits of having a full-time preventive maintenance program," says Eric Ludwig, product manager, Genie Industries.