How Does A Scissor Lift Work?

Forklift Operator Safety Featured

Many businesses have employees performing tasks at high elevations. Unfortunately, not all jobs can be accomplished on scaffolding or other quick-assemble platforms. Whether you’re inspecting a construction site or work in a warehouse in Indiana, you need a reliable and safe way to do your job. You may need a scissor lift.

But how does a scissor lift work?

WHAT ARE SCISSOR LIFTS IN INDIANA USED FOR?

If you’re an Indiana business owner who needs to store or retrieve product at an elevated level, one of the safest means of doing so is by using a scissor lift. With a platform that elevates via a telescoping lift mechanism, workers can use the lift in the same way as a scaffold. A scissor lift offers power and flexibility useful across multiple businesses in Indiana: Supply chain, retail, transportation, warehousing, and many others.

WHAT IS AN AERIAL WORK PLATFORM?

A scissor lift belongs to a family of mechanical devices used to give short-term access for equipment or workers to difficult areas, usually at a height that couldn’t otherwise be reached. There are many kinds of these types of aerial lifts, from boom lifts to telehandlers. A scissor lift, specifically, has a work platform that can hold both a small load and people and goes straight up and down.

HOW DOES A SCISSOR LIFT WORK?

A scissor lift moves people and equipment in one direction – vertically. Even though it may be “mobile” and can be repositioned between locations, the lift doesn’t provide horizontal movement. Whether you buy or rent your scissor lift in Indiana, you get a machine that includes a platform, base, legs, hydraulic cylinders, and a gas, diesel, or electric power supply.

The most basic operation of a scissor lift is moving the platform either up or down, with the mechanism powered by hydraulic fluids. All functions are managed by an operator, who can control the speed of the platform being raised or lowered.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF SCISSOR LIFTS IN INDIANA?

There are four kinds of scissor lifts to choose from:

  • Diesel scissor lifts are a common piece of machinery on construction sites. Their ubiquitous cross-braced system allows them to extend to a height of 30 feet, with some models capable of reaching 60 feet.
  • Electric scissor lifts are another popular aerial work platform. Unlike a gas-powered lift, electric scissor lifts include a mute, powered drive mechanism. They’re an environmentally friendly option for indoor spaces with inadequate ventilation because they don’t emit fumes or noise.
  • Hydraulic scissor lifts are powered by engine-driven hydraulic or hand-controlled systems. What moves the platform up or down? The shifting pressure of the hydraulic oil in the machine.
  • Rough terrain scissor lifts work great for outside work. They’re outfitted with increased weight capacity, heavy-duty tires for slopes and uneven surfaces, and extra safety mechanisms like arrestors and fall restraints. This kind of scissor lift also works well during inclement weather.

WHERE TO FIND THE BEST SCISSOR LIFTS IN INDIANA

Finding the best scissor lift in greater Indianapolis depends on product quality, customer service, and cost. At Tynan, we’ve staked our reputation on all three to become one of the state’s foremost material handling equipment companies. Talk to us about your forklift needs by calling (317) 597-4003 for more information.

A scissor lift can move up and down while the operator stands safely on a platform.

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