How to Calculate Scissor Lift Length
The scissor jack lift's length is proportional to the scissor support weight and the integrity of the steel cross sections over the length. The scissor structures length and weight are corollaries, meaning that the former determines the latter for a stable scissor jack. An extreme example of this to illustrate the point would be a 20-foot lift length that is featherweight made from Styrofoam which is practically weightless. It certainly will not be able to support at much of a height and can not support much at all.
Determine how high in the air the platform would be raised to calculate or determine the length of the scissor lift required to support the weight of both objects and occupants on the platform in relation to the weight of the platform.
The number of cross-sections of scissor folding supports sections which would be required to be extended at their full extension in order to reach the needed height within the weight support parameters. Lastly, you will never want to ascend some employees up on a platform with their supplies that is on a platform supported by any kind of unstable structure since clearly any type of machinery that is susceptible to tipping would really put people in a very dangerous situation.
Each and every cross section must be weighed to determined the overall length and weight of the scissor lift as well as the overall stability of the machinery. When entirely extended, determine the angle between the ground or horizontal level against the scissor arms measured.