The Right Scissor Lift for the Job

Marriage of industry and technology has served to make life in many workplaces a lot more convenient for everyone. Where lifting jobs are concerned, it is important to determine what scissor lift is appropriate to meet the needs of the job.

An ever-increasing number of businesses these days are relying on rental equipment to fill their equipment requirements. This is especially true when it comes to elevation work and lifting tasks. Scissor lifts provide a lift platform for moving material from one place to another on a jobsite and an aerial work platform for personnel.

One consideration that must be taken into account is whether renting a scissor lift instead can reduce overall equipment costs over the long term. Two of the benefits that can make this an attractive option is that a business can invest more capital on core areas of the business and equipment demands can be fulfilled on an as-needed basis. This reduces maintenance, storage and potential transit costs getting it to another job site. The rental option equates in no capital tied up equipment acquisition.

There are many specialized equipment rental companies that supply businesses with whatever equipment requirements that the client has. Instead of having long-term commitments, the business has only a fraction of the costs, which can usually be expensed out rather than depreciated. Additionally, most rental costs are predictable and stable. This makes it much easier to prepare a budget.

A strategic benefit of equipment rental is that license and regulatory fees are not applicable to the client and this reduces expenses over time. As well, there are additional costs for repairs, maintenance, and storage.

If someone is interested in renting scissor lifts, there are some things to take into consideration so that the best value for money spent is achieved.

First, assessing the underfoot conditions of the work site is important. The surface of the work area will help to determine the appropriate type of lift that will be required. Rough gravel will require a different model of lift than a smooth concrete surface will need.

The proximity of the scissor lift storage location to the work site is another consideration to take into account. Scissor lifts are not designed for long distance travel and therefore they may need to be transported to the job site. It is work area should be measured, as should any narrow egress or digress to the work area, so that the proper size of lift is used. The dimensions of the scissor lift are key to determining its effectiveness in the workplace. If it is too large, it may not be able to get to the work area and too small it may not be able to perform the task it was intended for.

Aside from scissor lifts, there is a wide variety of machinery and equipment available for rent. These vary from portable or heavy duty scissor lifts, compaction rollers, backhoe loaders, excavators, compact wheel loaders, hydraulic excavators to skid steer loaders, multi-terrain loaders. In addition, many workplace tools can be rented. This is especially useful for equipment and tools that may be used very infrequently.

Many companies have recognized the practicality of renting scissor lifts rather than buying one. Due to this, equipment rental companies are facing more and more competition in the market, which has led to lower rental costs in order to capture a bit more of the market out from under rival rental companies.

Knowing how to find the right scissor lift for the job is easy. All you need to do is pick up the phone and call one of the rental companies to come out and assess the workplace.

Scissor lifts – A Great Invention!

Scissor lifts and similar work platforms are among the most useful inventions that have benefited workplaces and increased productivity. Loading and lifting equipment like scissor lifts have, decreased workplace injuries relating to strain and falls and significantly increased productivity. For instance, scissor lifts take up very little space when collapsed in storage and yet, when fully extended, some lifts can reach heights of 18 meters.

Scissor lifts work on the principle of lifting weight using the least resistance through a number of crisscrossing supports that push a flat platform upwards when the supports are elongated. Using a forklift or pallet truck, pallets can be loaded onto a scissor lift platform minimizes the amount of manual lifting needed. The material is raised on the level platform. This helps to prevent liquids from coming into contact at the bottom of crates and boxes, as well as helping to prevent damage to fragile goods occuring from accidental bumps or collisions with moving equipment.

Scissor lifts can be either stationary or mobile. Although they were originally designed as an industrial lift, scissor lifts are gaining popularity in the retail and wholesale sectors.

To further minimize manual lifting, there are additions on some scissor lift models. These additions are deck extenders, turntables and tilters. Turntables are ideal if the scissor lift is used in a very small space. The operator is able to rotate a load being lifted whereas they would not otherwise have the space to do that. The operator can use a tilter to easily slide a load off the platform by position the platform at an appropriate angle.

Typically there are three types of equipment suitable for the loading bays of small and large sized businesses. This equipment can be customized to suit the needs of the business or purchased off the shelf. Whatever the challenge in loading may be, the job is made much simpler by using scissor lifts, dock levelers and other types of lifters and loaders available on the market.

A high priority with most operators, manufacturers and owners, safety is paramount in the operation of scissor lifts and there are strict safety criteria. Some countries require a license and insurance coverage in order to operate some types of mechanical loaders and lifting equipment. Most of the guidelines and prerequisites apply to operators who must go through a training course no matter how user-friendly and easy to use the equipment is.

Operators normally require a pre-usage checklist for each unit to be completed by the operator. In addition, manufacturers usually stipulate regular maintenance in order to keep warranties valid and the equipment operational. One of the important requirements is that the equipment is fitted with guard or safety rails around the platform, in order to help contain the operator and passengers. Most models supplement the rails with a restraining point designed to secure a harness or fall arrest lanyard. Some elevated platforms may have a lip around the exterior of the platform so that material or tools do not accidentally slide off the platform.

Similar to other dangerous mechanical equipment, most scissor lifts are fitted with an emergency switch or button for use in the event of an equipment failure. Best practices dictate the fitting of emergency stop buttons at the base of the equipment and on the platform at a minimum.

Scissor lifts are truly a great inventions!

How Scissor Lifts Work

Many companies need specialized equipment to be able to function efficiently and safely. Scissor lifts play a vital role in sectors like construction, road construction, mining, etc.

A platform that is used to vertically lift material and people; and uses a folding, linked lift mechanism, is called a scissor lift. These lifts have a crisscrossing series of supports that looks something like XXX, only vertically, Upward lift is achieved by pressure being applied to the outside of the bottom supports. This pressure elongates the X and extends the crossing pattern. The work platform is lifted vertically as the crisscross supports are elongated.

Some types of scissor lifts have a ‘bridge’ that extends from the platform. This allows workers to get much closer to the work area. A scissor lift without the bridge has is limited to up and down. The scissor action is usually dependant on pneumatic, mechanical, or hydraulic power and is usually like a rack and pinion or a lead screw system.

It requires very little power to lower the platform of a hydraulic or pneumatic powered scissor lift, as it would simply be the release of pressure. A variety of powering lifts is preferred because provides a fail-safe way to lower the platform in the event of a failure in the hydraulic or pneumatic system.

A large number of smaller lifts use screw threads or rack and pinion systems to extend. These types of lifts often sections that move past each other, known as juxtaposed sections, to create the vertical movement. The smaller lifts have a very limited capability regarding the weight and the extension. Given their limitations and small size, they are well suited for internal maintenance. Larger, heavy duty scissor lifts have a wider range of uses and are therefore more functional than the smaller lifts.

Working platforms such as these types of lifts are designed to be used for temporary work. They frequently need to be transported, or floated, between work sites or may around a large job site so they are designed for easy movement. The smaller scissor lifts require external force to move them because they are designed to be stationary.

Small stationary scissor lifts are often so lightweight that they can be transported in the bed of a pickup truck and moved through a standard doorway. Motorized units are able to be driven around a work site. Some units can be mobilized while extended. Those units that require secure outriggers cannot be moved until they are collapsed and the outriggers are retracted.

There are units that are designed to be mounted on the flat bed of a vehicle. This type of lift is often used as a mobile work station around a job site because of the versatility. Given the functionality and wide selection of scissor lifts on the market, it is fairly important to know how they work.