We have put together step by step guide on factors that are to be considered before you make your decision. Whether you are looking to buy or rent, refer to these steps to make the right decision
1 Working Height
This is the most obvious one. Firstly, determine the height at which work has to be done. Besides, make sure you are not confused between working height and platform height.
Platform height is the vertical distance between the ground where the lift is placed and the floor of the platform table (while it is fully raised) where the operator is supposed to stand. Working height is generally considered six feet higher than the platform height considering a 6 feet person will be standing on the platform table and operating the lift.
2 Platform size
You would think that the larger the platform, the better it is! That is not the case here. The larger-than-required platform might lead to imbalance and concerns regarding the stability of the lift.
It is advisable to discuss with the engineer regarding working height, load capacity and later decide on platform size based on the same. Platform table generally comes rectangular and this is the place where the worker can stand with tools or equipment and perform his work.
Likewise, you can also opt for platform extensions, attached to the platform for various other functions like filling gaps between platform and product, moving closure to the work, and extending equipment further for installation.
You should also be aware that any changes in the dimension of the platform size can lead to a change in stability.
3 Weight Capacity
Now that you know how to select the height, let’s move on to the second most important aspect of choosing the right lift- Weight Capacity.
For safety reasons, every lift comes with a weight-bearing capacity. Now, you need to decide what will you be lifting. Is it going to be workers? Equipment & tools? Or both workers with equipment and tools.
The next step will be to determine how much will they weigh in total. You do not have to be precise, but an estimate is good enough. For the safety of workers, it is always advisable to go for a capacity that is 10% – 20% higher than your project requirement. Do not push the capacity to its limit while using a scissor elevator.
If you plan to use the same lift for various projects, our engineers at Aakash Engineers discuss various possibilities and projects that you plan to use your lift for and help you with the best possible solution.
4 Types of Terrain
The terrain has a lot to do with the kind of lift you select. Specifically, let’s say you want to place the lift at a construction site where the level of the ground is uneven and the path leading up to your working spot is muddy or rock. Here you will need a very stable lift with heavy-duty wheels to provide proper stability and support.
Analyze the area where you need to place your lift and the path that leads up to it. Is the working spot indoor or outdoor? This is an easily overlooked aspect.
The scissor table may have to travel over tile or similar sensitive flooring before reaching its working spot. Another such scenario works to be done inside a multistorey building- will the building elevator support weight or the lift or do we have the required equipment to get the lift on its working spot?
5 Project Nature
To study the nature of the project is extremely important to select the right kind of scissor lifter. One cannot use the same lift for construction or facility maintenance vs indoor warehouse material handling purposes.
Hence, it is important to decide and discuss the nature of your project with engineers and select the right lift with sufficient safety features to maximize performance at work and increased productivity.
Buying a scissor platform lift needs lots of factors to be considered.
At Aakash Engineers, our engineers make a site inspection, there could be little observations eg the wind conditions, if wind speeds are above 28 mph, it can be a potential tip-over hazard or dust which might affect the performance of the lift, such aspects could be missed while giving detail of the project.
Undoubtedly, our engineers at Aakash Engineers make sure that every detail is observed, recorded, and considered before suggesting the right lift for you.
6 Power Supply
Is your requirement for a diesel or electric lift? Does Hydraulic lift work better for you? Go through the different types of options available by studying different types of lifts.
Finally, study all the aspects along with safety hazards for all kinds of lifts before making your decision. Each scissor has its weight limit, platform size, working height, and safety features. You may ask for a manual from where you intend to buy the lift and study various features for the same.
To make your choice it is very important for you to study aspect like Working height, Platform size, Weight capacity, type of terrain, project nature and power supply. This will empower you to make the right decision.
If you are still confused, we can arrange a call back from our engineer and you can discuss your requirement at length with him.
A scissor lifter is an important piece of equipment due to its capacity to reach higher heights with little effort. If you are using an old lift, you might want to get it examined for safety hazards. Also average life of such lifts is around 25- 30 years. So if gets old it might be a good time to replace it and get yourself an upgraded version.
There are 5 main types of scissor mechanism lifts. Let us brief you about different types of lifts and their application.
These Industrial lifts are typically powered by hydraulic cylinders. The changing pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the machine pushes the scissor legs apart (or together) and enables the platform to move up and down. It has simple push buttons, a liver and is very easy to operate.
It's the most common type of industrial lift, and size and lifting cargo capacity vary based upon the price and operation. They are commonly seen in manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution facilities.
They are again a popular choice. Scissor Electric lifts are powered by electricity and designed for enclosed spaces, since these lifts are electric, they don’t emit any toxic gasses, they can be wheeled over flooring without making marks, and can be used indoors.
Electric lifts are extensively used in industrial and commercial settings, as they are safe to use, mobile, effective, and ideal for use indoors as well as outdoors.
Rough Terrain Lift:
The machines are powered by diesel, gas, liquid propane, or dual fuel. These heavy-duty lifts are mainly used outdoors with an uneven surface. These machines are designed to take higher weight capacity, it has heavy-duty tiers and safety mechanism like barriers and restraints.
Rough terrain lifts are robust, construction-acquainted machines with positive traction control — ideal for adding productivity in demanding out-of-door worksites.
Pneumatic Lift:
The scissor pneumatic lift is powered by air pressure to lift and position loads. Compared to traditional lifts, they do not emit fumes or use fuel which makes the product sustainable and environment friendly.
Pneumatic Lifts contain no electrical or hydraulic factors, thus it’s nearly maintenance-free. since they bear only air, the machine can be used in nearly any terrain, including indoor establishments.
Diesel lift :
Diesel lifts are powered by traditional diesel fuel, they are noisy and emit fumes. Therefore, it is recommended to use it outdoors with sufficient ventilation and where noise can dissipate. They have a hefty design with a large platform.
It can be used for cleaning windows for tall buildings, trimming trees, painting, and more.
Apart from the obvious categorization mentioned above depending on the fuel it is powered on, scissor platform lifts has other categories too which might be overlapping in nature with the above category. They are as under:
Portable Scissor Lifts/ Mobile Scissor Lifts:
People use these scissor type lifts to easily move from one location to another.
They include industrial caster wheels to facilitate movement and are often used in settings where the lift needs frequent relocation.
These are scissor type lifts that are permanently installed in a specific location.
They may be mounted on the floor or on a platform, and are typically used for tasks that require frequent lifting at a fixed location.
Heavy-duty scissor lifts:
These are scissor industrial lifts that are designed to handle very heavy loads, such as industrial machinery and equipment.
They may have larger scissor legs, stronger hydraulic systems, and other features to support the added weight.
These are light weight lifts that are designed for lighter loads, such as boxes, packages, and smaller equipment.
They may have smaller scissor legs and lighter-duty hydraulic systems, and are typically less expensive than heavy-duty scissor type lifts.
Outdoor scissor lifts:
These are scissor mechanism lifts that are designed for use in outdoor environments, such as construction sites and outdoor storage areas.
They may have features such as weather-resistant coatings and sealed hydraulic systems to protect against the elements.
Indoor scissor lifts:
These are scissor type lifts that are designed for use in indoor environments, such as warehouses and manufacturing facilities.
They may have features such as non-marking tires and quieter hydraulic systems to minimize disruptions in the work environment.
In conclusion, there are many different types of scissor platform lifts available to meet a wide range of needs and requirements.
The type of scissor lift that is best for your application will depend on factors such as the size and weight of the load, the location where the lift will be used, and your budget.
Diesel lifts are powered by traditional diesel fuel, they are noisy and emit fumes. Therefore, it is recommended to use it outdoors with sufficient ventilation and where noise can dissipate. They have a hefty design with a large platform.