More about Scissor Lifts

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Like other lifts, scissor lifts are used to raise and lower a fixed platform. All manner of materials and personnel can be placed on the platform, provided they do not overburden the lift’s capacity. A scissor lift’s mode of operation separates it from other similar devices, making it perfectly suited to some operations and inefficient for others. In particular, a scissor lift is ideal for heavy duty loading and unloading, as well as in permanent or semi-permanent installations where personnel regularly need to raise and lower heavy equipment and materials.

The design of a scissor lift plays a direct role in its capabilities. It consists of a platform mounted on a series of interlocking crossbeams. When elevated, these crisscrossed metal beams form a series of X-shaped scaffolds. At rest, the beams are stacked atop each other, almost parallel. The device elevates the platform by drawing the base of the opposing support beams together. As the bases of the opposing, crossed beams are pulled closer, they force the top of the beam higher and continue to narrow the angle at their intersection. The top of each beam is affixed to yet another beam base, which crosses in the opposite direction to the beam below it and interlocks with the beam affixed to the top of the lower opposing beam. This creates, in essence, two sets of zigzagging metal beams that are interlocked in the center of each beam. A scissor lift typically consists of two such adjustable scaffold sets, one placed on each side of the mounted table.

Smaller scissor lift tables, which consist of only a single set of interlocking beams (the bottom four), are extremely useful for smaller work projects. The tables can adjust to any height, and come equipped with a hydraulic lifting mechanism. Scissor lift stands, also called laboratory jacks, serve a similar purpose but on a smaller scale. These stands often measure less than one square foot. Heavy duty lifts are much larger and capable of moving large objects and heavy loads. Many include a harness or rails for user safety.