How to Calculate Scissor Lift Length
- 1). Determine how high you need to support a platform that will support both the weight of the platform and the weight of the objects and occupants of the platform.
- 2). Determine the number of cross-sections of scissor folding support sections that will be needed at full extension to reach the required height within the weight support parameters. The last thing you want is to send a few workers up on a platform with materials on a platform supported by an unstable structure that is prone to tipping.
- 3). Ascertain the weight of each scissor cross-section. This is crucial to its stability and determining the length and weight of the scissor lift you will need.
- 4). Determine the angle between the scissor arms when fully extended measured against the horizontal or ground level.
- 5). Plug in all the variables into the formula that will tell you the force needed to sustain the scissor arms, the weight load and length of the lift platform to create a stable platform. The formula is: F = (W + (WA/2))/tangent angle between the scissor arms and the horizontal. F equals the force needed to hold the scissor lift, W equals the weight of the payload and platform and WA equals the combined weight of the two scissor arms. The equation will determine the force needed to support the platform and load weight on the platform for a single scissor mechanism. Multiply the result by the number of scissor mechanisms needed to attain a desired height.
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