Every corporation or industry dealing with manufacturing, construction, assembling, or storage needs equipment that can help them move or lift heavy loads safely and efficiently.
When you have mechanical lifting equipment that matches the task at hand it not only increases productivity but also prevents physical injury and property damage. One such piece of equipment is a Scissor lift.
This blog covers everything you need to know about this useful tool. Here you will learn how these lifts work and what are the main applications where you can employ them to increase operational efficiency so keep on reading till the end.
What is a Scissor Lift?
Scissor Lifts: Mechanism and Working
- Platform
- Legs
- Cylinders
- Base
- Power Source
- Down Valve
- Flow Control Valve
Types of Scissor Lift
- Electric Scissor Lift
- Rough-Terrain Scissor Lift
- Hydraulic Scissor Lift
- Diesel-Powered Scissor Lift
- Pneumatic Scissor Lift
Applications of Scissor Lift
What is a Scissor Lift?
A scissor lift is a type of aerial lift that features a steady enclosure and a rising platform to raise workers, materials, and heavy equipment using crisscrossed beams that move in a scissor-like fashion.
These lifts are mostly used in commercial or industrial applications where workers have to access or transport materials up or down. The versatile nature of these lifts makes them an important tool in the automotive, transportation, energy, aerospace, and manufacturing sectors.
Scissor Lifts: Mechanism and Working
The main components of this lift include a power system and a control system. The control system can be powered by electricity, compressed air, or diesel.
The scissor lift utilizes a set of cross-braced arms that can raise or lower the platform at the top of the mechanism. The power source needed for the lift depends on the platform size, load handling capacity, and operating height.
The basics of scissor lift operation are as follows. A power source is used to operate the lift. A valve controls the flow of fluid or air to the cylinders and a scissor lift control system is used to move the air from the reservoir to the cylinders.
To raise the platform, the cylinder pushes outwards and that causes the scissor-lift legs to move apart. For lowering the platform, a down valve is used that releases the pressure level in the cylinder by turning the air or liquid back to the reservoir. This causes the legs of the lift to contract effectively lowering the platform.
Following is a detailed overview of the different components of a scissor lift:
- Platform
The platform or lift table supports the load of the workers or objects and it usually features guardrails for protection.
- Legs
These are crisscrossed arrays made up of metal struts that connect the base of the lift to the platform. These are available in different lengths or numbers of scissor legs based on the application requirements.
- Cylinders
The mechanism of a scissor lift consists of one to four cylinders which are either filled with compressed air or hydraulic fluid based on the type of the lift. The increase or decrease in the pressure of these cylinders controls the raising or lowering of the platform.
- Base
At the foundation of this lift is a robust footing made from sturdy brackets. The rolls at the bottom of the scissor legs are guided by tracks that ensure a steady and solid movement of the unit.
- Power Source
The working environment and the required application determine the power source of a scissor lift. It can be anything from remote power packs to self-contained motors.
- Down Valve
The job of this valve is to return the fluid from the cylinders to the reservoir. The down valve is directly connected with a power supply and it controls the decent speed of the platform.
- Flow Control Valve
This valve is responsible for controlling the ascent or descent speed of the lift by regulating the flow of fluid or compressed air between the cylinders and the reservoir.
Types of Scissor Lift
Following are the 5 main types of scissor lifts or man lifts that you typically see on a worksite:
- Electric Scissor Lift
These lifts are powered by batteries which leads to fewer emissions and noise pollution. These lifts are somewhat smaller making them perfect for interior use. These lifts usually have smaller platforms and their load-bearing capacities are also limited.
- Rough-Terrain Scissor Lift
These are ideal for use for lifting extra heavy loads in harsh outdoor conditions like rugged terrains. Powered by diesel, LPG, or petrol engines these lifts have a higher speed and traction even in uneven terrains.
- Hydraulic Scissor Lift
These are powered either by electric motors or hydraulic cylinders where a change in pressure of the hydraulic fluid moves the scissor’s legs apart or towards each other to control the motion of the platform.
These lifts come with a lever and simple push buttons which makes their operation easier.
- Diesel-Powered Scissor Lift
These powerful lifts use diesel fuel engines to get power which leads to noise and higher emissions. These come in a hefty design and with a large platform that can support various individuals for jobs like cleaning windows, painting tall buildings, etc.
- Pneumatic Scissor Lift
These lifts utilize air pressure to move scissor legs and hence the platform. There are one or more airbags depending on the size of the lifts and an air compressor to elevate and position the unit.
These lifts are low maintenance as they do not have electric or hydraulic components. These lifts are a more eco-friendly and practical option for small-scale installations and indoor applications.
Applications of Scissor Lift
Following are the main applications where these lifts can enhance both safety and efficiency
- These are used in buildings with high ceilings to replace overhead bulbs, pipes, and wires.
- These are used in the energy sector to fix and maintain power lines.
- You can use them to hang indoor or outdoor signage or notices on construction sites or commercial buildings.
- These are used by HVAC technicians or other experts who require a stable aerial work platform to do maintenance work.
- These are used in warehouses for loading/unloading heavy goods and pallets from high shelves.
- Media and film Industries use these to capture images or films from elevated angles.
- These are used in manufacturing, food processing, and chemical industries to enhance worker safety.
Conclusion
The use of scissor lifts has revolutionized the way extremely heavy and sensitive loads are moved from higher to lower levels and vice versa both in indoor and outdoor projects.
These lifts are used in high-altitude applications in fields like municipal administration, construction, power sector, manufacturing, etc. The use of scissor lifts not only enhances workplace safety but also ensures you can move heavy objects or even your workers with ease which leads to much greater overall efficiency.
Visit Accurate Meezan today to order our top-quality scissor lifts for all industrial applications.
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