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 length and weight are corollaries, meaning that the former determines the latter for a stable scissor jack. An extreme instance of this to illustrate the point will be a 20-foot lift length that is featherweight made from Styrofoam which is practically weightless. It certainly can not support at much of a height and can not support much at all.
In order to calculate the length of a scissor lift, determine how high in the air you need to support a platform that will support of the weight of the objects and occupants on the platform along with the weight of the platform.
In order to reach the required 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. Finally, you would never want to ascend a few workers up on a platform along with their supplies which is on a platform supported by any kind of unstable structure since obviously any machinery which is susceptible to tipping would really put people in an extremely dangerous situation.
Determine the weight of every scissor cross-section. This is vital to determining the weight and length of the scissor lift you will need in addition to the overall stability of the equipment. When completely extended, determine the angle between the horizontal or ground level against the scissor arms measured.