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 weight and length are corollaries, meaning that the former determines the latter for a stable scissor jack. An extreme example of this to show the point will be a 20-foot lift length that is featherweight made from Styrofoam that is pretty much weightless. It definitely could not support at much of a height and would not be able to support much at all.
Determine how high in the air the platform will be lifted to determine or calculate the length of the scissor lift required to support the weight of both occupants and objects on the platform in relation to the platform's weight.
In order to reach the necessary height within the weight support parameters, the number of cross sections of scissor folding supports sections that will be required to be extended at their full extension. Lastly, you would never want to ascend some employees up on a platform together with their materials which is on a platform supported by any type of structure that is not stable because clearly any kind of machinery which is prone to tipping will put people in an extremely dangerous situation.
Determine the weight of every scissor cross-section. This is very important to determining the length and weight of the scissor lift you would require in addition to the overall stability of the machinery. When completely extended, determine the angle between the scissor arms measured against the ground or horizontal level.