How to Calculate Scissor Lift Length
The length of a scissor jack lift is proportional to the support weight of the scissors as well as the integrity of the steel cross sections over the length. The scissor structures weight and length are corollaries, meaning that the former determines the latter for a stable scissor jack. An extreme instance of this to illustrate the point will be a 20-foot lift length that is featherweight made from Styrofoam that is pretty much weightless. It certainly would not be able to support at much of a height and could not support much at all.
In order to calculate scissor lift length, determine how high in the air you require to support a platform that will support of the weight of the objects and occupants on the platform in addition to the weight of the platform.
The number of cross-sections of scissor folding supports sections which would be necessary to be extended at their full extension to be able to reach the needed height within the weight support parameters. Lastly, you would never want to ascend a few employees up on a platform with their supplies which is on a platform supported by any type of structure that is not stable as obviously any machinery that is susceptible to tipping will put people in an extremely dangerous situation.
Each and every cross section must be weighed to determined the overall length and weight of the scissor lift as well as the overall stability of the machine. When fully extended, determine the angle between the scissor arms measured against the horizontal or ground level.