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 show the point will be a 20-foot lift length that is featherweight made from Styrofoam which is practically weightless. It certainly could not support at much of a height and would not be able to support much at all.
Determine how high in the air the platform would be lifted to determine or calculate the length of the scissor lift required to support the weight of both occupants and objects on the platform in relation to the platform's weight.
The number of cross-sections of scissor folding supports sections that would be necessary to be extended at their full extension to be able to reach the needed height within the weight support parameters. Finally, you will never want to ascend a few workers up on a platform together with their supplies that is on a platform supported by any type of unstable structure since clearly any machine that is susceptible to tipping will really put people in a very dangerous situation.
Determine the weight of every scissor cross-section. This is very important to determining the weight and length of the scissor lift you would need as well as the overall stability of the equipment. When fully extended, determine the angle between the scissor arms measured against the horizontal or ground level.