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 example of this to show the point will be a 20-foot lift length which is featherweight made from Styrofoam that is practically weightless. It definitely will not be able to support at much of a height and would not be able to support a lot at all.
Determine how high in the air the platform would be raised to calculate or determine the length of the scissor lift needed to support the weight of both occupants and objects on the platform in relation to the weight of the platform.
In order to reach the required 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 will never want to ascend some workers up on a platform along with their supplies that is on a platform supported by any kind of structure which is not stable because clearly any machinery that is susceptible to tipping will really put people in a really dangerous situation.
Every cross section must be weighed to determined the overall weight and length 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 ground or horizontal level.