How to Calculate Scissor Lift Length
A scissor jack lift's length is proportional to the scissor support weight together with the integrity of the steel cross sections more than the length. The weight of the scissor structure together with the length is corollaries of each other; therefore, 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 could not support at much of a height and could not support a lot at all.
Determine how high in the air the platform would 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 weight of the platform.
In order to reach the necessary height within the weight support parameters, the number of cross sections of scissor folding supports sections which would be necessary to be extended at their full extension. Finally, you would never want to ascend some workers up on a platform along with their materials which is on a platform supported by any kind of unstable structure as obviously any equipment that is susceptible to tipping will put people in a very dangerous situation.
Determine the weight of each scissor cross-section. This is vital to determining the length and weight of the scissor lift you will need as well as the overall stability of the equipment. When completely extended, determine the angle between the scissor arms measured against the horizontal or ground level.