What Is a Scissor Lift – Types, Applications, & Benefits

What Is a Scissor Lift – Types, Applications, & Benefits

Meta Description: Discover the benefits and applications of scissor lifts in construction, maintenance, and manufacturing. Learn about key features and motor types.

This article discusses scissor lifts’ critical applications and benefits across different industries. It examines how these aerial lifts provide safe, efficient access to elevated work areas for construction, maintenance, and manufacturing tasks. Key features, types, and considerations for choosing the right scissor lift are also outlined.

Key Takeaways

• Scissor lifts are versatile, providing safe, elevated work access in the construction, maintenance, and manufacturing industries.
• They offer advantages over ladders and other means of working at heights, with features like guardrails, stabilizers, and fall protection anchors that help prevent injuries from falls.
• Different motor options – including hydraulic, electric, diesel, or gasoline – allow the choice of the suitable lift model for varying payload needs, environments, and power sources.
• Features like platform size and capacity, outriggers, non-slip flooring, and guardrails ensure stability and safety at elevated work levels.
• The compact design, adjustable heights, and portable nature of scissor lifts provide efficient, flexible access to work areas above ground.

What is a Scissor Lift?

A scissor lift, also known as an aerial or elevating work platform, is a lifting equipment that uses a scissor-like mechanism powered by hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric motors to raise and lower its platform vertically.

Scissor lifts, including rough terrain, electric, and hydraulic scissor lifts, provide elevated access to workers through an electric scissor lift platform. This allows tasks to be performed safely at height on construction sites, job sites, and industrial settings.

Types of Scissor Lifts

• Rough terrain scissor lifts – Ideal for uneven terrain and outdoor construction projects, these scissor lifts have four-wheel drive and non-marking tires for mobility.
• Electric scissor lifts – Electric scissor lifts have a smaller carbon footprint than diesel models and are suitable for indoor use.
• Hydraulic scissor lifts – Using hydraulic oil and liquid, these traditional scissor lifts are common on construction sites.
• Pneumatic scissor lifts – Powered by air pressure, pneumatic scissor lifts are an alternative to electric or hydraulic types.
• Diesel scissor lifts – These scissor lifts, equipped with traditional diesel engines, have large fuel tanks, allowing extended runtimes between refills.

Main Components Of Scissor Lift

The critical components of a scissor lift include the scissor legs, lifting mechanism, platform, and power source. The scissor legs comprise crisscrossing metal arms that open and close in a scissor-like motion to raise and lower the platform vertically.

Hydraulic cylinders or electric motors provide the lifting power to move these scissor legs. The hydraulic scissor lift platform is the work area where workers stand to perform elevated tasks. It includes guardrails and safety rails. Platform capacities vary depending on lift size.

A hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, or diesel power source can operate the lifting mechanism. Electric scissor lifts plug into a power supply, while hydraulic models use hydraulic oil and liquid pumped by a hydraulic scissor or pump.

These core components enable scissor lifts to safely elevate workers and equipment to height for tasks while improving operating efficiencies on construction sites and job sites.

Types of Scissor Lift Motors

Different types of motors power scissor lift movement:

• Hydraulic: Hydraulic scissor lifts utilize a hydraulic motor powered by hydraulic fluid or oil. This type can lift heavy payloads and is durable for frequent use.
• Electric: Electric scissor lifts have an electric motor that runs on battery power or a standard electric power supply. They are generally more eco-friendly with lower emissions.
• Diesel: Some heavy-duty scissor lifts still use diesel engines as their power source. However, diesel lifts require refueling and emit more emissions than electric models.
• Gasoline: Gasoline scissor lifts were more common in the past but are rarely used today. Due to higher emissions and fuel costs, electric or hydraulic options have mostly replaced them.

The appropriate motor type depends on the lift capacity, intended tasks, work environment, and fuel or power access required for different job sites and industries.

Scissor Lift Platform Features

The platform is the most essential part of a scissor lift where work gets done. Platform features help ensure safety, stability, and productivity:

• Guardrails: Guardrails surround the perimeter of the platform to prevent falls. They are typically 42 inches high with a mid-rail and toe-board.
• Gate: A self-closing gate provides controlled access to the platform and acts as an additional guard against falls when closed.
• Floor/Deck: Non-slip, anti-fatigue flooring or deck plating provides secure footing and traction for workers wearing safety boots on the platform.
• Capacity Label: The rated platform capacity in pounds is clearly labeled to prevent overloading and ensure stability for elevated tasks.
• Outriggers/Stabilizers: Outriggers or stabilizers are deployed to increase stability on uneven ground or outdoor surfaces.
• Fall Protection Anchorages: D-rings or anchor points allow workers to safely attach fall arrest lanyards for fall protection when using full-body harnesses.
• Handrails: Handrails are provided around platform perimeters to maintain three-point contact and stability when moving within the enclosed work area.

Proper platform features and training are essential to ensure safe and productive work at height on scissor lifts across various industries and job sites.

How Does a Scissor Lift Work?

Scissor lifts use mechanical and hydraulic systems to vertically raise and lower their platform.

Hydraulic System

A hydraulic system is one of the leading lifting mechanisms used in scissor lifts. It consists of a hydraulic pump, hydraulic cylinder, and hydraulic liquid or oil. The hydraulic pump generates pressure transferred through hoses or pipes to the hydraulic cylinder.

This hydraulic cylinder is then connected to the scissor legs. As hydraulic fluid enters the cylinder, it causes a piston inside to extend outward, pushing the scissor legs apart and raising the platform upwards.

Most scissor lifts rely on this hydraulic mechanism powered by hydraulic scissor pumps to elevate workers and equipment smoothly. The hydraulic liquid acts as the transmission medium to transfer the mechanical force needed for the vertical movement of scissor lifts.

Scissor Mechanism

The scissor mechanism is the critical component that enables a rough terrain scissor lift to raise and lower its platform vertically. It consists of a series of crisscrossing scissor legs or arms that are connected via pivoting joints.

As the hydraulic cylinder pushes the scissor arms apart, it causes the scissor legs to open in a scissor-like motion, elevating the platform upwards. When the hydraulic pressure is released, the scissor arms close back, lowering the lift platform safely via the scissor lifting mechanism.

Safety Features of Scissor Lifts

Scissor lifts are equipped with essential safety features to protect workers at height.

Overload Protection

An essential safety feature in scissor lifts is overload protection. This helps prevent accidents by not allowing the lift to exceed its rated lift capacity or maximum platform load. Overload sensors automatically cut power to the lifting mechanism if a scissor lift attempts to elevate a load heavier than the stated capacity.

This protects the equipment and workers, avoiding potential hazards. Scissor lifts have clearly labeled platform capacity ratings, and overload protection ensures safe operation by preventing risks from overloaded platforms on job sites and construction projects.

Proper training on load limits and safety procedures helps workers and supervisors safely elevate personnel and equipment to height using scissor lifts.

Emergency Stop

Another vital safety feature is an emergency stop or emergency power cut-off switch. This allows operators to stop all lift functions immediately in case of an emergency on the platform, helping ensure the timely evacuation of personnel from heights.

Interlocks

Interlocks are safety mechanisms that prevent the lift from operating if certain unsafe conditions are present. Platform interlocks, for example, do not allow the scissor lift to move vertically if the platform gate is open or if all safety guards are not properly closed. Similarly, extension interlocks prevent boom extension if outriggers or stabilizers are not fully extended.

Interlocks provide an added layer of protection by cutting power to the lifting components if safety conditions are compromised. This helps reduce risks to workers on scissor lifts during tasks at elevated heights, such as laying bricks, hanging banners, or performing electrical work near power lines where hazards are present.

Proper training and maintenance help ensure all safety features, such as interlocks, function effectively.

Applications of Scissor Lifts

Scissor lifts are widely used in different industries for various job site applications.

Construction Industry

The construction industry is a significant user of scissor lifts. They are invaluable for installing siding, laying bricks and tiles, hanging drywall and ceilings, waterproofing, window installation, and many other jobs requiring height work.

On large construction sites, scissor lifts improve productivity by providing safe and efficient access to all areas of buildings under construction. Models with four-wheel drive and non-marking tires can also navigate uneven terrain around outdoor projects.

Whether used for commercial, industrial, or infrastructure projects, scissor lifts help elevate workers and materials, helping them complete tasks more quickly. This is especially useful for pouring concrete or laying rebar on elevated decks.

Maintenance Industry

The maintenance industry widely uses scissor lifts to service various equipment and machinery. They provide access to perform routine checks and repairs on HVAC units, generators, heavy machinery, and other mechanical and electrical systems located at height.

Scissor lifts enable maintenance workers to repair and replace lights and safely change air filters or belts on equipment.

Their ability to safely and efficiently elevate personnel and tools to the necessary heights helps improve productivity for maintenance work at facilities, manufacturing sites, and other locations with tall mechanical infrastructure that requires regular upkeep and inspections.

Manufacturing Industry

Scissor lifts are commonly used in manufacturing facilities to access various production and assembly line tasks requiring height work. They are suitable for both indoor and outdoor manufacturing environments.

Scissor lifts enable workers to safely perform tasks such as installing, operating, maintaining, and repairing machinery, equipment, and overhead components on production lines and in warehousing facilities.

They help improve productivity by efficiently elevating personnel, tools, and materials to the necessary heights. This allows manufacturing operations to be performed more quickly and safely at facilities with tall machinery and multi-level production processes.

Benefits of Using a Scissor Lift

Scissor lifts provide many advantages for working at height over ladders or other means.

Safety

One of the most significant benefits of scissor lifts is safety. They have guardrails, toeboards, and safety harnesses to prevent falls from elevated scissor lift platforms. This offers essential fall protection for workers performing tasks at height. Scissor lifts also feature emergency controls and interlocks that improve safety.

Proper training is needed, but aerial lifts allow work from an elevated, stable, and secure area compared to ladders, reducing risks from falls, electrocutions from power lines, or other hazards. Scissor lifts’ stability, and safety precautions make them safer than other alternatives for accessing elevated work areas on job sites and industrial facilities.

Versatility

Scissor lifts’ versatility allows them to be used in various industries and applications involving elevated work. They can be used indoors and outdoors, providing access to confined spaces and open areas. Genie scissor lifts are suitable for maintenance, construction, painting, installation, etc.

Models with features like rough terrain capability with non-marking tires can navigate challenging job sites and uneven terrain.

Scissor lifts with various platform heights and boom lift capacities are also available to suit job sites and payload needs. This versatility makes scissor lifts a valuable equipment investment for companies in many sectors.

Portability

Scissor lifts are a highly portable option for aerial work because they are compact and mobile. Due to their lightweight yet rugged construction, they can be easily transported between job sites on a truck or trailer.

This portability allows scissor lifts to be rapidly deployed where and when elevated access is needed, such as in different areas of an outdoor construction site involving tasks like installing siding or laying pipes.

Electric scissor lifts are also well-suited for indoor use, given their quiet operation and ability to work directly from an electric power supply without cables. The portability of scissor lifts, especially battery-powered electric models, allows efficient use of the same equipment across multiple indoor and outdoor work locations.

Affordability

Scissor lifts are affordable, making them an economical option for aerial work compared to boom lifts or bucket trucks. Their lower acquisition and operational costs allow more budget-friendly access to heights for tasks like changing lightbulbs, painting, and servicing equipment.

While the initial purchase price varies depending on lift capacity and features, the overall total cost of ownership is reasonable due to minimal maintenance needs if regularly maintained.

Electric scissor lifts also save fuel costs over diesel models, reducing long-term expenses. Affordable rental options are available for occasional use. Overall, scissor lifts deliver height access affordably to fit a range of project budgets and worksite needs.