Scissors Lifts Are Facilitating

by Ertuğrul Kurt

Scissors lifts has many applications in industry. They are sometimes used for leveling in front of a machine, sometimes for carrying loads between the floors and sometimes as vehicle platforms at car parks. Recently, they have been used for providing accessibility.  In addition to their easy installation and efficient work environment, they also offer cost effective solutions compared to elevators.  Their low maintenance and operating costs are also their biggest advantages. Consequently, scissors lifts are frequently preferred by enterprises that seek affordable solutions and low investment costs. They are not subject to hard standards like conventional personnel elevators. They are subject to European norms EN 1570 and EN 2006/42EC. Their maintenance periods are bimonthly or quarterly rather than monthly. One of their most important advantages is they can be applied easily at places where the height of the last floor is very low; their disadvantages include the need for a hoistway, a low-operating speed and their heaviness.                                

As seen in the above drawings, running clearances for hydraulic lifts are shown with red lines both at right and left sides. On the other hand, a smaller running clearance is needed for scissor lifts. In order to prevent bending of scissors platforms, which are over 3 meters with a capacity of more than 1 ton, guide rails should be placed at one long side of the platform to provide that the platform works without swaying.

Scissor platforms operate with simple hydraulic power units. They need hydraulic power units composed of motor, pump and single-speed platform valve.

For vehicle lifts and other applications where the sound of the power unit may be disturbing, submersible pump and submersible motor may be used. Thus, any possible noise level of the hydraulic power unit can be minimized.

Consequently, when you need lifting equipment and the hoistway dimensions are not sufficient for an elevator and your budget is low, you may prefer scissors lift solutions.