How to Calculate Scissor Lift Length
The length of a scissor jack lift is proportional to the scissor support weight and 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 scissor jack stability. An extreme instance of this to illustrate the point would be a 20-foot lift length that is featherweight made from Styrofoam that is practically weightless. It definitely could not support at much of a height and could not support a lot at all.
Determine how high in the air the platform would be raised to determine or calculate the scissor lift length required to support the weight of both objects and occupants on the platform in relation to the weight of the platform.
In order to reach the necessary height within the weight support parameters, the number of cross sections of scissor folding supports sections that would be necessary to be extended at their full extension. Lastly, you would never want to ascend some workers up on a platform with their materials which is on a platform supported by any kind of structure which is unstable since obviously any machinery that is prone to tipping would really put people in a really dangerous situation.
Determine the weight of each scissor cross-section. This is very important to determining the weight and length of the scissor lift you will require along with the overall stability of the machinery. When fully extended, determine the angle between the scissor arms measured against the ground or horizontal level.