When Hydraulic and Scissor Lifts Take the Pain Out Of Lifting

Scissor lifts work on the principle of raising or lowering a platform. Such lifts are used in various applications, and most frequently in loading equipment. All such lifts have three main components; the legs of the scissor, the platform and the lower frame assembly. These types of lifts have been in use for many years.

How Do Such Lifts Work?
These lifts work on three different principles. One category of such lifting systems is the hydraulic lift. Here hydraulic cylinders, which may be one or more, move the lift platform up and down. The second type is pneumatic scissor lifts. In such lifts, air bags move the lifts up and down. The third type of scissor lifts is that which is sensitive to weight. In these lifts, as weight is added to the platform, the lift automatically lowers itself, and when weight is removed, the platform raises itself.
These lifts need not have only one pair of legs. There are today, scissor lifts with multiple stage legs which can raise the platform to great heights. Each pair of legs is placed above the previous pair.

Additional Features Offered
Apart from providing the basic functionality of lifting the work platform, these lifts also have additional features designed to make the worker's or operator's task easier. Such features include a tilt and rotate function.

The tilt features allow hydraulic lift tables to be positioned in numerous ways. These provide workers the benefit of choosing a position which is best suited to them ergonomically. This in turn eliminates or reduces the risk of cumulative trauma disorders that result from repeatedly performing an activity involving awkward repetitive bending or stretching motions.

Rotating features on tables enhance efficiency particularly if more than one worker is using material placed on the platform.

Uses Of Lifting Platforms
Originally designed for use as loading equipment, these types of lifts are now used in many industries. Most uses are related to loading material. Catering trucks for aircrafts use this principle to load material into the aircraft cabin. Elevating dock lifts are used for loading and unloading material from ships.

Capacity Of Platforms
These lifts are available in a wide range of capacities. The smaller lifts typically have a capacity of 2,000 to 4,000 pounds and travel distances of 12 to 24 inches. Higher capacity lifts are available and can go up to a capacity of 120,000 pounds. Platform sizes too can vary; double wide platforms that have two pairs of legs placed next to each other are also available.

Scissor lifts are different from boom lifts. Both have their respective advantages. While scissor lifts can only be raised vertically and cannot reach heights that boom lifts can, such lifts provide much greater work space on the platform. They also offer a greater weight capacity, as the primary usage of such lifts remains loading. These lifts have found widespread acceptance and usage in the construction and painting industry, as it is possible with them to lift the workers along with the necessary material.

Scissor lifts and hydraulic lifts have not only made the task of working at heights easier; they have also increased the safety levels that can be provided to workers working at heights.