Understanding the Basics of a Hydraulic Scissor Lift and its Main Parts

Hydraulic scissor lifts are vital equipment for numerous industries that offer a reliable and efficient way to lift heavy loads and workers to elevated positions. In this blog, we will cover various aspects of a hydraulic scissor lift such as its main components, how it operates, what its advantages are, and a brief overview of its major applications.

Components of a Hydraulic Scissor Lift

There are several key components of a hydraulic scissor lift that work together to raise or lower it. The important parts that make up a standard hydraulic scissor lift include the following:

• Platform: Situated at the top of the lift, the hydraulic scissor lifting platform is the component that is used for elevating or lowering the workers or materials. Depending on the application, the hydraulic cargo lifting platforms can be of various sizes and capacities and is usually made of a durable material such as steel or aluminum. As an added safety feature for transporting workers, the lifting platform may also feature handrails to hold on to.
• Base: At the other end is the base, which is the solid foundation of the lift and provides stability to the entire structure. It is usually made of reinforced steel and, like the platform, it also comes in various dimensions and configurations depending on the applications. The base is also fitted with tracks that help the rollers that are attached to the bottom of the scissor legs to move smoothly.
• Scissor Legs: The scissor legs are the interlinked, folding supports in a criss-cross pattern that connect the platform with the base. These legs can be expanded or compressed to allow the platform to be raised or lowered.
• Hydraulic Cylinder: The hydraulic cylinder is the component of the lift that generates the power required to raise the platform. It contains an assembly of a piston and a cylinder that is filled with a hydraulic fluid. When pressure is applied to the hydraulic fluid, it causes the piston to move, which in turn, activates the raising of the lifting mechanism.
• Hydraulic Pump: The hydraulic pump is the component that regulates the flow of hydraulic fluid into the cylinder. It usually consists of a motor, a reservoir, and a pump. When the motor is activated, it pumps hydraulic fluid from the reservoir into the cylinder, causing the piston to move upward and lift the platform.
• Control Valves: The control valves regulate the flow of hydraulic fluid into and out of the cylinders, which helps to control the pressure in the cylinders. This allows the operator to control the speed with which the platform is raised or lowered.
• Control Box: The control box is an electronic mechanism that is used by the operator to control the various functions of the lift. It usually contains buttons, knobs, and/or joysticks that allow the operator to start or stop the lifting mechanism, and control the valves to regulate the height of the platform and the speed at which it moves. It also features safety control features such as an emergency stop button.

Operation of a Hydraulic Scissor Lift

Now that we have got some basic knowledge about the main components of a hydraulic scissor lift, let us understand how it actually works. The following steps describe the operation of a hydraulic scissor lift:

• The operator of the hydraulic scissor lift activates the motor using the control box.
• He then moves the joystick or other control mechanism to open the valve that pushes the hydraulic fluid from the reservoir and pumps it into the cylinders.
• When the cylinders are activates, they move the piston upwards, which causes the attached scissor legs to widen. When that happens, the hydraulic lifting platform starts to move upwards.
• When the operator decreases the pressure on the cylinders by forcing the flow of the hydraulic fluid back into the reservoir, the scissor legs retract, thereby lowering the hydraulic platform lift.

Chief Advantages of Hydraulic Lifts

Hydraulic scissor lifts are indispensable pieces of equipment for a wide range of industries, from manufacturing and construction to logistics and warehousing. The compactness of the mechanism is perfect for various locations with tights spaces and restricted movement. The hydraulic cargo lift system provides tremendous lifting power, allowing hydraulic scissor lifts to lift heavy loads and reach high elevations. Additionally, the scissor lift design allows for stable and secure lifting, even when the platform is raised to its highest point. They can be easily adapted and configured to suit various situations and lifting requirements, and personnel can be trained quickly to operate the mechanism.  

Major Applications of Hydraulic Lifts

Due to their versatility, hydraulic scissor lifts have numerous applications across diverse industries. Here, we have listed out a few of them:

• Construction: Scissor lifts are widely used at construction sites to quickly and efficiently raise or lower construction workers, heavy equipment and tools from one level to another.
• Warehousing: Goods in warehouses are stored vertically to great height to maximize the utilization of the available storage space. In such situations, a cargo lift is used to quickly move the cargo from one level to another.
• Automotive: Scissor lifts are used to raise heavy vehicles to a comfortable elevated position, which makes it easy for auto mechanics to carry out maintenance and repair work.
• Loading Docks: Loading docks make extensive use of hydraulic cargo lifts or hydraulic freight lifts to stack cargo and heavy freight containers as well as move them from one location to another.
• Retail Stores: Hydraulic scissor lifts are used in large retail stores to stock items in high shelves, and carry out various maintenance work.
• Entertainment: Hydraulic scissor lifts are used in theatres and film sets to raise or lower stage equipment, sets, actors and technicians.

Conclusion

Now that you have understood how they work, it is time to put your new-found knowledge to good use into buying a scissor lift from the best manufacturer of hydraulic cargo lifting systems that will customize precision-designed hydraulic scissor lifts to suit your specialized requirements. Sab Tech is the leading designer of high-quality hydraulic scissor lifts with branded parts that undergo rigorous tests. We are the best cargo lift manufacturer as well as the top hydraulic cargo lift suppliers in Saudi Arabia. We are also the best repair and maintenance company for all types of hydraulic pumps, motors, cylinders, valves and various other components. Get in touch with Sab Tech today for a free consultation and customized quote.