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